Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§577h Authorization of Appropriations; Limitation on Amount for Purchase of Additional Lands, Water or Interests Therein; Availability of Other Funds; Annual Report to Congress

Title 16 › Chapter 3— FORESTS; FOREST SERVICE; REFORESTATION; MANAGEMENT › Subchapter I— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 577h

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Money can be provided each year to carry out the land purchase and condemnation rules in this part, but total spending for buying or taking lands, water, or interests cannot exceed $9,000,000. Money from chapter 2003 of title 54 may also be used, and these funds may pay court judgments in condemnation cases no matter when the cases began. By March 1 in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980, the Secretary of Agriculture must report to Congress on these land acquisitions. The final report must say whether more legal authority or money is needed.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §577h

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)There are authorized to be appropriated annually such sums as are necessary to implement section 577c, 577d, and 577e to 577h of this title: Provided, That the total appropriations under the authority of said sections shall not exceed $9,000,000 for the purchase and condemnation of lands, water, or interests therein, and that funds made available through the provisions of chapter 2003 of title 54, may also be used for such acquisitions: Provided further, That such appropriations may be used for the payment of court judgments in condemnation actions brought under authority of section 577c, 577d, and 577e to 577h of this title without regard to the date such actions were initially instituted.
(b)Not later than March 1 of each year 1977 through 1980, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Congress a report concerning the acquisition of lands or interests in lands under section 577c, 577d, and 577e to 577h of this title. The final report of the Secretary shall specify whether additional authorizations or appropriations are necessary to carry out the purposes of said sections.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–287 substituted “chapter 2003 of title 54” for “the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (78 Stat. 897), as amended”. 1976—Pub. L. 94–384 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted “implement” for “carry out the provisions of”, “$9,000,000” for “$4,500,000”, and “lands, water, or interests therein” for “land”, struck out “however” after “Provided”, inserted provision relating to the availability of funds under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and provision relating to the availability of appropriations for payment of court judgments in condemnation actions regardless of the date of institution of such action, and added subsec. (b). 1961—Pub. L. 87–351 increased appropriation for purchase and condemnation of land from $2,500,000 to $4,500,000. 1956—Act June 22, 1956, increased appropriation for purchase and condemnation of land from $500,000 to $2,500,000.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Availability of Appropriations Pub. L. 87–351 provided in part that: “Funds appropriated to carry out the purposes of the Act [section 577c, 577d and 577e to 577h of this title] shall remain available until expended.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 577h

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60