The Secretary is authorized to provide for modifications of the projects authorized by this subchapter to the extent he determines appropriate for purposes of meeting the international settlement objective of this subchapter at the lowest overall cost to the United States. No funds for any such modification shall be expended until the expiration of sixty days after the proposed modification has been submitted to the appropriate committees of the Congress, unless the Congress approves an earlier date by concurrent resolution. The Secretary shall notify the Governors of the Colorado River Basin States of such modifications.

The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts that he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter in advance of the appropriation of funds therefor.

The Secretary is hereby authorized to administer and dispose of lands and interests in lands acquired, and facilities constructed under this subchapter, and revenues received in connection with this authority shall be credited to the general fund of the Treasury.

In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Secretary shall consult and cooperate with the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Agriculture, and other affected Federal, State, and local agencies.

Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to modify the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.], the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended [33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.], or, except as expressly stated herein, the provisions of any other Federal law.

There is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of $356,400,000 for the construction of the works and accomplishment of the purposes authorized in sections 1571, 1572, 1573, and 1579 of this title, of which $3,579,000 is authorized for mitigation of fish and wildlife losses associated with replacement of the Coachella Canal in California, and $6,960,000 is authorized for mitigation of fish and wildlife losses associated with the Desalting Complex Unit and the Protective and Regulatory Pumping Unit in Arizona, based on January 1979, prices plus or minus such amounts as may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuation in construction costs involved therein, and such sums as may be required to operate and maintain such works and to provide for such modifications as may be made pursuant to section 1574 of this title. In order to provide for the utilization of significant improvements in desal­inization technologies which may have been developed since the Bureau’s evaluation, the Secretary is directed to evaluate such cost effective improvements and implement such improved designs into the plant operations when the evaluation indicates that cost savings will result: Provided, however, That no more than five percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated is used for these purposes. There is further authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to pay condemnation awards in excess of appraised values and to cover costs required in connection with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 [42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.].