--- kind: "range" citation: "22 U.S.C. §§ 277–277d" title: "22" from: "277" to: "277d" count: 5 release: "119-102" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/277..277d" --- # §277. International Boundary Commission, United States and Mexico; study of boundary waters The President is authorized to designate the American Commissioner on the International Boundary [Commission](/usc/22/277d–43.md?p=2), [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) and Mexico, or other Federal agency, to cooperate with a representative or representatives of the Government of Mexico in a study regarding the equitable use of the waters of the lower Rio Grande and the lower Colorado and Tia Juana Rivers, for the purpose of obtaining information which may be used as a basis for the negotiation of a treaty with the Government of Mexico relative to the use of the waters of these rivers and to matters closely related thereto. On completion of such study the results shall be reported to the Secretary of State. # §277a. Investigations of commission; construction of works or projects The Secretary of State, acting through the American Commissioner, International Boundary [Commission](/usc/22/277d–43.md?p=2), [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) and Mexico, is further authorized to conduct technical and other investigations relating to the defining, demarcation, fencing, or monumentation of the land and water boundary between the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) and Mexico, to flood control, water resources, conservation, and utilization of water, sanitation and prevention of pollution, channel rectification, stabilization, drainage of transboundary storm waters, and other related matters upon the international boundary between the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) and Mexico; and to construct and maintain fences, monuments and other demarcations of the boundary line between the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) and Mexico, and sewer systems, water systems, and electric light, power and gas systems crossing the international border, and to continue such work and operations through the American Commissioner as are now in progress and are authorized by law. The President is authorized and empowered to construct, operate, and maintain on the Rio Grande River below Fort Quitman, Texas, any and all works or projects which are recommended to the President as the result of such investigations and by the President are deemed necessary and proper. # §277b. Works or projects under treaty - (a) **Construction, operation, maintenance, and supervision; sewage interceptor system—** The President is further authorized (1) to construct any project or works which may be provided for in a treaty entered into with Mexico and to repair, protect, maintain, or complete works now existing or now under construction or those that may be constructed under the treaty provisions aforesaid; and to construct any project or works designed to facilitate compliance with the provisions of treaties between the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) and Mexico; (2) to operate and maintain any project or works so constructed or, subject to such rules and regulations for continuing supervision by the said American Commissioner or any Federal agency as the President may cause to be promulgated, to turn over the operation and maintenance of such project or works to any Federal agency, or any State, county, municipality, district, or other political subdivision within which such project or works may be in whole or in part situated, upon such terms, conditions, and requirements as the President may deem appropriate; and (3) to carry out preliminary surveys, operations, and maintenance of the interceptor system constructed to intercept sewage flows from Tijuana from selected canyon areas. - (b) **Rio Grande bank protection project—** Expenditures for the Rio Grande bank protection project shall be subject to the provisions and conditions made with respect to that project in the first undesignated paragraph under the heading “International Obligations” contained in the Act of April 25, 1945 (59 Stat. 89). - (c) **Anzalduas diversion dam—** The Anzalduas diversion dam shall not be operated for irrigation or water supply purposes in the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) unless suitable arrangements have been made with the prospective water users for repayment to the Government of the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) for such portions of the dam as shall have been allocated to such purposes by the Secretary of State. - (d) **Improvements to Rio Grande Canalization Project—** Pursuant to the authority of [subsection (a)](#a) and in order to facilitate further compliance with the terms of the Convention for Equitable Distribution of the Waters of the Rio Grande, May 21, 1906, [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1)-Mexico, the Secretary of State, acting through the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water [Commission](/usc/22/277d–43.md?p=2), may make improvements to the Rio Grande Canalization Project, originally authorized by the Act of August 29, 1935 (49 Stat. 961). Such improvements may include all such works as may be needed to stabilize the Rio Grande in the reach between the Percha Diversion Dam in New Mexico and the American Diversion Dam in El Paso. # §277c. Agreements with political subdivisions; acquisition of lands In order to carry out the provisions of [sections 277 to 277d](/usc/22/277..277d.md) of this title, the President, or any Federal agency he may designate is authorized, (a) in his discretion, to enter into [agreements](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7) with any one or more of said political subdivisions, in connection with the construction of any project or works provided for in [paragraph (2)](/usc/22/277a.md) of section 277a and [section 277b of this title](/usc/22/277b.md), under the terms of which [agreements](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7) there shall be furnished to the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1), gratuitously, except for the examination and approval of titles, the lands or easements in lands necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance in whole or in part of any such project or works, or for the assumption by one or more of any such political subdivisions making such [agreement](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7), of the operation and maintenance of such project or works in whole or in part upon the completion thereof: Provided, however, That when an [agreement](/usc/22/2431a.md?p=7) is reached that necessary lands or easements shall be provided by any such political subdivision and for the future operation and maintenance by it of a project or works or a part thereof, in the discretion of the President the title to such lands and easements for such projects or works need not be required to be conveyed to the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) but may be required only to be vested in and remain in such political subdivision; (b) to acquire by purchase, exercise of the power of eminent domain, or by donation, any real or [personal property](/usc/22/4341.md?p=6) which may be necessary; (c)[^1] to withdraw from sale, public entry or disposal of such public lands of the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) as he may find to be necessary and thereupon the [Secretary](/usc/22/277d–43.md?p=5) of the Interior shall cause the lands so designated to be withdrawn from any public entry whatsoever, and from sale, disposal, location or settlement under the mining laws or any other law relating to the public domain and shall cause such withdrawal to appear upon the records in the appropriate land [office](/usc/22/2214a.md?p=9) having jurisdiction over such lands, and such lands may be used for carrying out the purposes of [sections 277 to 277d](/usc/22/277..277d.md) of this title: Provided, That any such withdrawal may subsequently be revoked by the President; and (d) to make or approve all necessary rules and regulations. # §277d. Funds received from Mexico; expenditure Any moneys contributed by or received from the United Mexican States, the North American Development Bank, or the Border Environment Cooperation [Commission](/usc/22/277d–43.md?p=2) for the purpose of cooperating or assisting in carrying out the provisions of [sections 277 to 277d](/usc/22/277..277d.md) of this title shall be available for expenditure in connection with any appropriation which may be made for the purposes of such sections.