Title 22Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73

§277c Agreements with political subdivisions; acquisition of lands

Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - INTERNATIONAL BUREAUS, CONGRESSES, ETC. › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION › § 277c

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The President, or a federal agency he picks, may make deals with one or more local governments to get the land or easements needed to build, run, and care for the projects described in paragraph (2) of section 277a and section 277b, and more generally to carry out sections 277 to 277d. The land or easements can be given to the United States for free, except the U.S. may pay for checking and approving the title. Or the local government may keep title to the land and still agree to operate and maintain the project when it is done, if the President allows that. The President may also buy land, take it through eminent domain, or accept donations of property needed for these projects. He may remove federal public lands from sale or other public use and have the Secretary of the Interior record that withdrawal; the President can later cancel such a withdrawal. The President or his agency may make any rules needed to carry out these actions.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §277c

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In order to carry out the provisions of sections 277 to 277d of this title, the President, or any Federal agency he may designate is authorized, (a) in his discretion, to enter into agreements with any one or more of said political subdivisions, in connection with the construction of any project or works provided for in paragraph (2) of section 277a and section 277b of this title, under the terms of which agreements there shall be furnished to the United States, gratuitously, except for the examination and approval of titles, the lands or easements in lands necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance in whole or in part of any such project or works, or for the assumption by one or more of any such political subdivisions making such agreement, of the operation and maintenance of such project or works in whole or in part upon the completion thereof: Provided, however, That when an agreement is reached that necessary lands or easements shall be provided by any such political subdivision and for the future operation and maintenance by it of a project or works or a part thereof, in the discretion of the President the title to such lands and easements for such projects or works need not be required to be conveyed to the United States but may be required only to be vested in and remain in such political subdivision; (b) to acquire by purchase, exercise of the power of eminent domain, or by donation, any real or personal property which may be necessary; (c) 11 See Repeal; Savings Provision note below. to withdraw from sale, public entry or disposal of such public lands of the United States as he may find to be necessary and thereupon the Secretary of the Interior shall cause the lands so designated to be withdrawn from any public entry whatsoever, and from sale, disposal, location or settlement under the mining laws or any other law relating to the public domain and shall cause such withdrawal to appear upon the records in the appropriate land office having jurisdiction over such lands, and such lands may be used for carrying out the purposes of sections 277 to 277d of this title: Provided, That any such withdrawal may subsequently be revoked by the President; and (d) to make or approve all necessary rules and regulations.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1936—Act May 22, 1936, inserted “paragraph (2) of section 277a”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Repeal;

Savings Provision

Clause (c), except the proviso thereof, repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, § 704(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2792, effective on and after Oct. 21, 1976. Such repeal not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976, see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579, set out as a note under section 1701 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 277c

Title 22Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73