---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 777f"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "777f"
heading: "Payments by United States"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/777f"
units:
  - "Chapter 10B — Fish Restoration and Management Projects"
---

# §777f. Payments by United States

- (a) **Payments and advances to States—** When the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall find that any [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) approved by him has been completed or, if involving research relating to fish, is being conducted, in compliance with said plans and specifications, he shall cause to be paid to the proper authority of said [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) the amount set aside for said [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4). The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior may, in his discretion, from time to time, make payments on said [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) as the same progresses; but these payments, including previous payments, if any, shall not be more than the United States’ pro rata share of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in conformity with said plans and specifications. If a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) has elected to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter by preparing a comprehensive [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) plan as provided for under option (1) of subsection (a) of [section 777e of this title](/usc/16/777e.md), and this plan has been approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, then the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may, in his discretion, and under such rules and regulations, as he may prescribe, advance funds to the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) for financing the United States’ pro rata share agreed upon between the [State fish and game department](/usc/16/777a.md?p=1-D) and the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1).
- (b) **Construction work; joint payments—** Any construction work and labor in each [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall be performed in accordance with its laws and under the direct supervision of the [State fish and game department](/usc/16/777a.md?p=1-D), subject to the inspection and approval of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior and in accordance with the rules and regulations made pursuant to this chapter. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior and the [State fish and game department](/usc/16/777a.md?p=1-D) of each [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) may jointly determine at what times and in what amounts payments shall be made under this chapter. Such payments shall be made against the said appropriation to such official or officials, or depository, as may be designated by the [State fish and game department](/usc/16/777a.md?p=1-D) and authorized under the laws of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) to receive public funds of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a).

## Source credit

(Aug. 9, 1950, ch. 658, § 7, 64 Stat. 433; Pub. L. 91–503, title II, § 202, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1103.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1970—Pub. L. 91–503 divided existing provisions into subsecs. (a) and (b) and authorized advance payments by the Secretary to the States for financing the United States’ pro rata share of the comprehensive fish and wildlife plan.

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

Transfer of functions to Secretary of Commerce from Secretary of the Interior by Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090, see note set out under section 777 of this title.