PUBLIC LAW 105-104—NOV. 20, 1997 111 STAT. 2229 "(2) The Commission may adopt or modify the recommendations of the hearing officer within 60 days of submittal of the report. If the Commission is unable to reach unanimous agreement on the resolution of the dispute within 60 days of submittal of the report with the concurrence of the Federal Commissioner in disputes involving or affecting federal interests, the affected party may file an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this Compact. The hearing officer's report shall be of no force and effect and shall not be admissible as evidence in any further proceedings. "(e) All actions under this Article shall be subject to the following provisions: "(1) The Commission shall adopt guidelines and procedures for the appointment of hearing officers or independent mediators to conduct all hearings and mediations required under this Article. The hearing officer or mediator appointed under this Article shall be compensated by the Commission. "(2) All hearings or mediations conducted under this article may be conducted utilizing the Federal Administrative Procedures Act, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence. The Commission may also choose to adopt some or all of its own procedural and evidentiary rules for the conduct of hearings or mediations under this Compact. "(3) Any action brought under this Article shall be limited to equitable relief only. This Compact shall not give rise to a cause of action for money damages. "(4) Any signatory party bringing an action before the Commission under this Article shall have the burdens of proof and persuasion. " ARTICLE XIV "ENFORCEMENT "The Commission may, upon unanimous decision, bring an action against any person to enforce any provision of this Compact, other than the adoption or enforcement of or compliance with the allocation formula, in any court of competent jurisdiction. " ARTICLE XV " IM P ACTS ON OTHER STREAM SYSTEMS "This Compact shall not be construed as establishing any general principle or precedent applicable to any other interstate streams. " ARTICLE XVI "I MP ACT OF COMPACT ON USE OF WATER WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COMPACTING STATES "The provisions of this Compact shall not interfere with the right or power of any state to regulate the use and control of water within the boundaries of the state, providing such state action is not inconsistent with the allocation formula.
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