Subject to the provisions of this act, authority is given to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or, through it, to any commission or other public body or municipality singly or collectively designated by the Legislature of said Commonwealth to construct and maintain a storage dam across the Delaware river at or near the area known as Wallpack Bend, but above the confluence with Flatbrook, and including the works and appurtenances of said dam and to maintain the reservoir above said dam for the purpose of impounding the waters of said river to provide a supply of water for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes and compensation flow. Such construction and maintenance shall be deemed to be a public project for the benefit of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The authority to construct such reservoir hereby conferred shall expire, unless sooner exercised, fifty years after the effective date of this act.

L.1953, First Sp.Sess., c. 443, p. 2424, s. 1.