The primary objective of the 1956 statute is to encourage State and local participation in the development of projects under Federal reclamation laws and to provide for Federal assistance in the development of similar projects in the 17 Western reclamation states by non-Federal organizations.
The 1957 amendments (P.L. 85-47) require the Secretary of Interior to notify Congress when a project has been found to be financially feasible and constitutes a reasonable risk according to the terms of the 1956 statute.
An amendment in 1960 (P.L. 86-624) extended the provisions of the 1956 statute to the State of Hawaii.
The 1966 amendments (P.L. 89-553) provided that the costs of measures to prevent loss of and damage to fish and wildlife resources be considered as project costs.
The 1971, 1975, 1980, and 1982 amendments provided for the following provisions: 1) further defined the term "project" and clarified cost-sharing aspects, 2) increased authorization levels, and 3) defined other administrative procedures.
Public Law 99-546, enacted in 1986, provides for the transfer of funds to the Service for work done on these projects pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
Public Law 103-437, approved November 2, 1994, (108 Stat. 4594) amended the Act by making changes in Congressional committee appropriations jurisdiction over small reclamation projects.