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Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-110

§590z–3 Settlement of Projects on Agricultural Basis

Title 16 › CHAPTER 3C — WATER CONSERVATION › SUBCHAPTER II — CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION PROJECTS › § 590z–3

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Agriculture, working with the Secretary of the Interior, can set up and run farm projects in the Great Plains and other dry areas to help rebuild farming, steady the farm economy, and make good use of relief money. The Secretary can place people on the land when possible and give them advice on farm methods, soil conservation, and good land use. The Secretary can buy farm land inside the projects and make improvements like clearing, leveling, and preparing land for irrigation. Leases, purchase, or improvement contracts must require yearly or twice-yearly payments set by the Secretary. Each contract must repay the U.S. the cost of buying and improving the tract within 50 years from the date the land is first settled, plus interest of at least 3% per year on unpaid balances, and must meet any related repayment or operation-and-maintenance rules in the law. The Secretary may use help from federal programs (for example WPA, CCC, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or the Department of Agriculture) if the President agrees and sets reimbursement amounts. The Secretary may also accept contributions from states, local governments, groups, or individuals. Money given this way can be spent for its stated purpose as if it were appropriated. Purchases or services costing $300 or less are exempt from a federal advertising rule that would otherwise apply.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §590z–3

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Rehabilitation; stabilization of agricultural economy; maximum utilization of funds
In connection with the construction or operation and maintenance of projects undertaken pursuant to the authority of this subchapter, and in order to further in the Great Plains and arid and semiarid areas of the United States an effective rehabilitation program, stabilization of the agricultural economy and maximum utilization of funds spent for relief purposes, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, pursuant to cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior, (1) to arrange for the settlement of the projects on a sound agricultural basis, and insofar as practicable, the location thereon of persons in need; (2) to extend guidance and advice to settlers thereon in matters of farm practice, soil conservation, and efficient land use; (3) to acquire agricultural lands within the boundaries of such projects, with titles and at prices satisfactory to him; and (4) to arrange for the improvement of lands within the project boundaries, including clearing, leveling, and preparing them for distribution of irrigation water. Contracts between the United States and water users or water users’ organizations for the lease or purchase of, or the improvement of, lands within such projects shall provide for annual or semiannual payments to the United States, of the number and amounts fixed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The lease, purchase, or improvement contracts for each tract of land shall provide in the aggregate for the return, in not to exceed fifty years from the date the land is first settled upon, of the costs incurred by the United States in acquiring and improving such tract of land with funds appropriated under authority of section 590z–10(2) of this title, except administrative expenses incurred in the District of Columbia, together with interest on unpaid balances of said costs at not less than 3 per centum per annum. Such lease, purchase, or improvement contracts shall also provide for the fulfillment of such obligations related to reimbursable construction costs and operation and maintenance charges as may be applicable to such lands in accordance with the repayment contract or contracts required by section 590z–2 of this title.
(b)Utilization of other agencies
For the purposes of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may utilize (1) in such manner as the President may direct, services, labor, materials, or other property, including money, supplied by the Work Projects Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Office of Indian Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, or any other Federal agency to the extent that the President, upon the report and recommendations of the Secretary of Agriculture, finds that the same should be supplied in assistance of such improvement work, and for which the United States shall be reimbursed in such amounts as the President may fix for each project; and (2) such services, labor, materials, easements, or other property, including money, as may be contributed by any State or political subdivision thereof State agency, municipal corporation, or other organization, or individuals. Moneys received and accepted under (2) of this subsection shall remain available for expenditure for the purposes for which contributed in like manner as if said sums had been specifically appropriated for said purposes.
(c)Advertisement for purchases or services
Where the aggregate amount involved does not exceed $300, the provisions of section 6101 of title 41 shall not apply to any purchase or service authorized for the Department of Agriculture under this subchapter or under the 1940 water conservation appropriation.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

For 1940 water conservation appropriation citation, referred to in subsec. (c), see section 590z–1(c) of this title. Codification In subsec. (c), “section 6101 of title 41” substituted for “section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5)” on authority of Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.

Amendments

1943—Subsec. (c). Act July 16, 1943, added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Federal Works Agency transferred to General Services Administration by act June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title I, § 103, 63 Stat. 380. See

Historical and Revision Notes

under section 303(b) of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works. section 303(b) of Title 40 was amended generally by Pub. L. 109–313, § 2(a)(1), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1734, and, as so amended, no longer relates to the Federal Works Agency and Commissioner of Public Buildings. See 2006 Amendment note under section 303 of Title 40. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare redesignated Department of Health and Human Services by section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Works Projects Administration and its functions transferred to Federal Works Agency by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1939, §§ 301, 306, eff.
July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2729, 53 Stat. 1426, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Civilian Conservation Corps and its functions consolidated with other agencies under Federal Security Agency, to be administered by Director of Corps under direction and supervision of Federal Security Administration by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1939, §§ 201, 207, eff.
July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2728, 2729, 53 Stat. 1425, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Federal Security Agency abolished by section 8 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, eff. Apr. 11, 1953, 18 F.R. 2053, 67 Stat. 631, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, and its functions transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan. No. 1 of 1953.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 590z–3

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110