Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978

(Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 11153)

Reclamation Safety of Dams Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to modify Bureau of Reclamation dams and related facilities in order to preserve structural safety.

Provides that costs incurred for modifications due to age, normal deterioration, or from nonperformance of normal maintenance shall be considered to be project costs and be reimbursable as provided by existing law. Provides that costs incurred for modifications due to new hydrologic or seismic data or safety criteria shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable under reclamation law.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 and ensuing years of such sums as necessary, not to exceed $100,000,000. Requires that no funds be obligated for carrying out actual construction to modify an existing dam prior to 60 days from transmittal by the Secretary of the Interior of a report to Congress stating that modifications are necessary to insure dam safety.

Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse the Salt River Project for expenses to modify the Bartlett Dam, Arizona, spillway and outfall channel.

Authorizes the Secetary to: (1) pay and discharge that portion of the cost associated with the replacement of the American Falls Dam, Idaho, which the irrigation spaceholder contracting entities are obligated to pay; and (2) enter into contracts with such entities to accomplish the discharge of such costs.

Finds that oversight has been accomplished with respect to three temporary water service contracts between the United States and the Westlands Water District, California.

Directs the Secretary to study and report to the President and Congress on the feasibility of rehabilitating and improving the existing Santa Cruz Dam and Reservoir, New Mexico. Authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds for such study.

Extends the moratorium on studies for the interbasin transfer of water out of the Columbia Basin, Idaho.

Directs the Secretary to make the necessary repairs on the Scoggins Valley Road around Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon.