---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 4309"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "4309"
heading: "Savings provision"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/4309"
units:
  - "Chapter 63 — Federal Cave Resources Protection"
---

# §4309. Savings provision

- (a) **Water—** Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing the appropriation of water by any Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), or local agency, [Indian tribe](/usc/16/4302.md?p=4), or any other entity or individual. Nor shall any provision of this chapter—
  - (1) affect the rights or jurisdiction of the United States, the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), or other entities over waters of any river or stream or over any ground water resource;
  - (2) alter, amend, repeal, interpret, modify, or be in conflict with any interstate compact made by the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r); or
  - (3) alter or establish the respective rights of [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), the United States, [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), or any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) with respect to any water or water-related right.
- (b) **Fish and wildlife—** Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) with respect to [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–691, § 10, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4551.)