Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73
§390yy Leasing requirements
Title 43 › Chapter CHAPTER 12— - RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I–A— - RECLAMATION REFORM › § 390yy
Summary
Even if other federal reclamation laws say different things, land that gets irrigation water can be leased only if the lease is in writing and has a set time limit. The lease must be for no more than 10 years (including any options to extend), except for perennial crops with an average life over 10 years—the lease may match that average life but cannot go past 25 years.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §390yy
Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal reclamation law, including this subchapter, lands which receive irrigation water may be leased only if the lease instrument is—
(1)written; and
(2)for a term not to exceed ten years, including any exercisable options: Provided, however, That leases of lands for the production of perennial crops having an average life of more than ten years may be for periods of time equal to the average life of the perennial crop but in any event not to exceed twenty-five years.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Federal reclamation law, referred to in text, is defined in section 390aa of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 390yy
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73