RIVERS AND HARBORS APPROPRIATION ACT (1899)
It shall not be lawful to construct or commence the construction of any bridge, causeway, dam, or
dike over or in any port, roadstead, haven, harbor, canal, navigable river, or other navigable water
of the United States until the consent of Congress to the building of such structures shall have been
obtained and until the plans for (1) the bridge or causeway shall have been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of Transportation,
or (2) the dam or dike shall have been submitted to and approved by the Chief of Engineers and Secretary of the Army.
However, such structures may be built under authority of the legislature of a State across
rivers and other waterways the navigable portions of which lie wholly within the limits of a single State,
provided the location and plans thereof are submitted to and approved by the Secretary of Transportation
or by the Chief of Engineers and Secretary of the Army before construction is commenced.