Title Transfer of Projects and Facilities

Title Transfer

The Bureau of Reclamation, established in 1902, has constructed many of the dams, canals, and hydropower plants that provide water and power in the 17 western states. For most of these project facilities, Reclamation has transferred all or part of the responsibility for operation, maintenance and replacement to a project beneficiary. Title, or ownership, to Reclamation facilities, however, remains with the United States Government unless Congress passes legislation directing otherwise.

Since 1995, Reclamation has conveyed title to several project facilities, including dams, reservoirs, canals, laterals, buildings, project lands, and easements to project beneficiaries. The title transfer process followed a framework that Reclamation and its partners collaboratively developed, and which included NEPA and other legal requirements, and involved project stakeholders. Title to these facilities was only transferred to project beneficiaries, usually the operating entities, after the passage of individual acts of Congress. On March 12, 2019, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (P.L. 116-9) was signed into law. Title VIII of this Act provides Reclamation with new authority to transfer title to certain eligible facilities to qualifying entities without separate and individual acts of Congress.

Resources

• Categorical Exclusion
• Previously Transferred Projects and Facilities
• Previous Environmental Assessments
• Reclamation Directives and Standards: CMP 11-01
• CMP 11-01 Appendix A
• CMP 11-01 Appendix B

Announcements

Title Transfer for Reclamation Project Facilities Webinar
On Friday, April 24, 2026, at 11:00am MT, the Bureau of Reclamation will host an informational webinar to discuss the Reclamation Title Transfer Program and updates to Directives and Standards Title Transfer for Reclamation Project Facilities CMP 11-01. Use this link to join the webinar

Draft Reclamation Manual Release – Title Transfer for Reclamation Project Facilities CMP 11-01
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is updating its Directives and Standards CMP 11-01 Title Transfer for Reclamation Facilities to reflect lessons learned over the past seven years of implementing title transfers under Public Law (P.L.) 116-9, Title VIII, Subtitle A (P.L. 116-9, 43 U.S.C. 2902, et seq.). Reclamation has initiated a 30-day external review beginning on April 9, 2026, to gather feedback from partners, stakeholders, and the public. Use this link to reference the draft D&S.