Summary

This decision responds to a Congressional request for GAO's opinion regarding whether the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) has a legal obligation to maintain the channels in Laughlin Lagoon that provide access to the Colorado River for boat traffic. Laughlin Lagoon was created in the late 1960s as a result of BoR's construction of a so-called training structure on the Colorado River in present-day Laughlin, Nevada, primarily to improve navigation along the river. The town of Laughlin, landowners, and others believe BoR is responsible for maintaining the lagoon in a condition that permits boat access to the river. BoR disagrees.

Based on the available information and as detailed below, we conclude that BoR does not have a legal obligation to maintain the channels in Laughlin Lagoon that provide river access for boats. Neither a federal permit authorizing one-time BoR dredging in 1999-2000, nor any statutory or other legal requirements, impose a duty on BoR to maintain the navigability of Laughlin Lagoon's access channels.