Chapter 534. To permit a compact or agreement between the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana respecting the disposition and apportionment of the waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries, and for other purposes
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CHAP. 534.— An Act To permit a compact or agreement between the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana respecting the disposition and apportionment of the waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries, and for other purposes. March 4, 1925.[[S. 4377](/us/bill/68/s/4377).][[Public, No. 609](/us/pl/68/609).] Columbia River and tributaries.Preamble.Whereas the Columbia River and its tributaries are interstate streams having their sources in a drainage area of approximately 250,000 square miles, said streams flowing through the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and the Columbia River forming the boundary between the States of Washington and Oregon; and Whereas the above-named States are vitally interested in the possible development of the Columbia River and its tributaries for irrigation, power, domestic and navigation uses; and Whereas the Secretary of the Interior, in a letter to the President dated December 11, 1924, has pointed out that plans for future reclamation development must take into consideration the needs of the States and the water-right problems of interstate streams and stated that efforts to reach an agreement for the economic apportionment of water of interstate streams by the States concerned “have the cordial approval and support of this Department and ”; and Whereas it is desirable that a compact for the economic apportionment of the water of the Columbia River and its tributaries for irrigation, power, domestic, and navigation purposes, entered into by and between the said States of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and that the interests of the United States be considered in the drawing of said compact, by authorized representatives of each of said States and of the United States:
Now, therefore, *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana.Negotiating agreement of apportionment of water supply among them consented to. That consent of Congress is hereby given to the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana to negotiate and enter into a compact or agreement not later than January 1, 1927, providing for an equitable division and apportionment among said States of the water supply of the Columbia River and of the streams tributary thereto, upon conditionFederal representatives to participate and report. that two suitable persons, who shall be appointed by the President of the United States, one from the Department of the Interior and one from the War Department, shall participate in said negotiations as the representatives of the United States and shall make report to Congress of the proceedings and of any compact or agreement entered*Proviso*.Legislative and Congress approval required. into: *Provided*, That any such compact or agreement shall not be binding or obligatory upon any of the parties thereto unless and until the same shall have been approved by the legislature of each of said States and by the Congress of the United States.
Sec. 2. Amendment. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herewith expressly reserved. Approved, March 4, 1925.