(1) For the purpose of acquiring control over government land within the district and of complying with the provisions of the Act of Congress entitled “An act to promote reclamation of arid lands,” approved August 11, 1916, the board of directors may make investigations, and, based thereon, such representations and assurances to the Secretary of the Interior as may be requisite. The board may enter into any obligation or contract with the United States for:
(a) The construction, operation and maintenance of the necessary works for the delivery and distribution of water under the Federal Reclamation Act and the rules and regulations established thereunder. The board may contract for the refusal of water service to any lands which are in default in the payment of any assessment levied to carry out any contract between the district and the United States.
(b) The assumption, as principal or guarantor, of indebtedness to the United States on account of district lands.
(2) The board may also contract with the United States for a water supply or drainage works under any Act of Congress providing for or permitting the contract.
(3) When a contract is made with the United States, as provided in this section, bonds of the district may be deposited with the United States, at 90 percent of their par value, to the amount to be paid by the district to the United States under the contract. The interest on the bonds, if bearing interest, shall be provided for by assessment and levy, as in the case of other bonds of the district, and regularly paid to the United States to be applied as provided in the contract. If the bonds of the district are not so deposited, the board of directors shall include, as part of any levy or assessment provided for in the Irrigation District Law, an amount sufficient to meet each year all payments accruing under the terms of the contract.
(4) The board may accept, on behalf of the district, appointment of the district as fiscal agent of the United States, or authorization of the district by the United States to make collections of money for or on behalf of the United States in connection with any federal reclamation project. If the board accepts the appointment or authorization, the district is authorized to act as fiscal agent or to make the collections of money and to assume the duties and liabilities incident to such action. The board also has full power to do all things required by the federal statutes enacted in connection with districts serving as fiscal agents or collectors of moneys for reclamation projects, and all things required by the rules and regulations established by any department of the federal government in regard thereto. [Formerly 545.076]
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