Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73

§421a Construction of distribution and drainage systems by irrigation districts or public agencies

Title 43 › Chapter CHAPTER 12— - RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - INSTITUTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTS › § 421a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Irrigation districts or public agencies can build distribution and drainage systems instead of the Secretary if the Secretary approves their plans under federal reclamation laws. Drainage systems are for removing extra irrigation water at or under the ground and exclude enlarging or altering existing waterways for runoff.

Full Legal Text

Title 43, §421a

Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Distribution and drainage systems authorized to be constructed under the Federal reclamation laws may, in lieu of construction by the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in sections 421a to 421h of this title as the “Secretary”), be constructed by irrigation districts or other public agencies according to plans and specifications approved by the Secretary as provided in sections 421a to 421h of this title. The drainage systems referred to in sections 421a to 421h of this title are those required for collection and removal of excess irrigation water, either on or below the surface of the ground and do not include enlargement or alteration of existing waterways for disposition or natural runoff.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1972—Pub. L. 92–487 substituted provisions relating to

Construction

of distribution and drainage systems, for provisions relating to

Construction

of irrigation systems, and inserted provisions setting forth the type of drainage systems subject to coverage of sections 421a to 421h of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

43 U.S.C. § 421a

Title 43 — Public Lands

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73