CHAPTER 6. Cooperation With the United States [35875. - 35886.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 6.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35875. Section 35875.

Districts may cooperate and contract with the United States, under the Federal Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, and all acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto or any act of Congress heretofore or hereafter enacted permitting cooperation.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35876. Section 35876.

The cooperation and contract may be for any or all of the following purposes: (a) Acquisition, extension, or operation of works for irrigation or drainage or flood control. (b) A water supply. (c) Assumption as principal or guarantor of indebtedness to the United States. (d) To receive or borrow money from the United States and provide for the repayment thereof, for the purpose of constructing projects, distribution systems or other works for the district or for any distribution district or improvement district formed therein, which said works shall be used for the storage, regulation, control, development and distribution of water for the irrigation of land or for the use, control and distribution of drainage water within the district or for flood control purposes.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35877. Section 35877.

Districts may carry out and perform the terms of any contract so made.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35878. Section 35878.

To carry out the preceding sections of this article a district has all powers, rights, and privileges possessed by irrigation districts and may exercise those powers, rights, and privileges in the same manner as irrigation districts as provided in the Irrigation District Federal Cooperation Law.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35879. Section 35879.

If any provision of the Irrigation District Federal Cooperation Law is held unconstitutional, that decision shall not affect the validity of the adoption by reference in this article of the remaining portions of that law.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35880. Section 35880.

In any contract made between a district and the United States pursuant to this chapter, the land which may be charged with any taxes or assessments under the contract shall be designated and described.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35881. Section 35881.

A proposal to enter into a contract with the United States for any purpose other than obtaining a water supply shall be authorized at an election.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35882. Section 35882.

Proceedings at the election shall be had insofar as applicable in the manner provided in the case of issuance of general obligation bonds.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35883. Section 35883.

Notice of the election shall specify: a. The time and place of the election. b. The purpose of the election. c. A brief statement of the general purpose of the contract. d. The amount of money to be paid to the United States under the contract.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35884. Section 35884.

The ballots at the election shall contain a brief statement of the general purpose of the contract substantially as stated in the notice of election and the amount of money to be paid to the United States under the contract. To the right of or below the statement on the ballot, the words “Yes” and “No” shall be printed on separate lines, with voting targets.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 35886. Section 35886.

The board may execute the contract on behalf of the district if two-thirds of the votes cast at the election favor the contract.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026