Title 43 › Chapter CHAPTER 22— - RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND OTHER EASEMENTS IN PUBLIC LANDS › § 952
People or companies that raise, graze, drive, or transport livestock can build water reservoirs on unoccupied public U.S. land that is not set aside for minerals or other reserved uses. They may control the reservoir and up to 160 acres of land around it while they keep it maintained and the water available, but they must follow rules set by the Secretary of the Interior. By default the reservoir cannot be fenced and must be open for anyone to water animals. The Secretary can allow a fence in special cases to protect animals or conserve water, but the reservoir still must be open for public watering and the Secretary can order any fence removed at any time.
Full Legal Text
Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 952
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73