Title 43 › Chapter CHAPTER 12— - RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL PROJECTS › § 422b
Defines important words used in this subchapter. Construction means building, fixing up, or improving works. Federal reclamation laws means the Act of June 17, 1902, and its amendments or supplements. Organization means a State, a state agency or political subdivision, or a local water group (like a conservancy district, irrigation district, water users’ association, or an agency created by interstate compact) that can sign a contract with the United States under those reclamation laws. Project means an irrigation project, a multi‑purpose water project authorized or eligible under the federal reclamation laws, a distinct unit of such a project, a drainage project for irrigated lands, or the rehabilitation/betterment of any of these — provided the project’s estimated total cost does not exceed the maximum set under subsection (f). Existing facilities can be used or bought if the Secretary of the Interior finds they meet standards the Secretary will create and if the cost of those existing facilities is less than 50 percent of the project cost. An organization may receive more than one loan or grant so long as no two are for the same project. The Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. The yearly maximum allowable estimated total project cost is set by the Secretary using the Bureau of Reclamation composite construction cost index for January of that year, with $15,000,000 as the January 1971 base.
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Citation
43 U.S.C. § 422b
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73