The country Panama.

An autonomous legal entity by the name of Panama Canal Authority is hereby established under public law, which shall be exclusively in charge of the administration, operation, conservation, maintenance, and modernization of the Panama Canal and its related activities, pursuant to current constitutional and legal provisions in force, in order that it may operate the Canal in a manner that is safe, continuous, efficient, and profitable. This entity shall have its own patrimony, and the right to administer it.

The Panama Canal Authority, in coordination with other government agencies as established by the Law shall be responsible for the administration, maintenance, use and conservation of the water resources of the Panama Canal watershed, which include the waters of the lakes and their tributary streams. Any plans for construction, the use of waters, and the utilization, expansion, and development of the ports, or any other work or construction along the banks of the Panama Canal shall require the prior approval of the Panama Canal Authority.