§597 Acquisition of lands for water resource development projects; information as to probable timing for acquisition; public meetings; regulations

Summary

After Congress approves construction of a water resource project, the Army Corps of Engineers must try, within six months, to tell landowners and people nearby when the government will likely need to buy land, get rights-of-way, or require moves or other changes. After money is first provided for buying land or doing construction (including relocations), the Corps must hold public meetings near people who will be displaced to explain the plans and hear their comments. The Chief of Engineers must write rules to make sure affected people get nine kinds of information, including how appraisals are done; the preference to buy without going to court; the right to go into condemnation (court) proceedings; payments for moving and other losses beyond appraised value; rules about staying during construction and removing buildings; payments by occupants of government-owned land; withdrawing deposits made in court; and how owners may use land when an easement is taken. These rules do not make the United States legally liable, do not change the validity of purchases or condemnations, and are exempt from subchapter II of chapter 5 and chapter 7 of title 5.