Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102
§591 Condemnation, Purchase, and Donation of Land and Materials
Title 33 › CHAPTER 12 — RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY › SUBCHAPTER III — ACQUISITION OF LAND AND MATERIALS › § 591
Summary
The Secretary of the Army may sue in courts on behalf of the United States to obtain land, rights-of-way, or materials needed for river and harbor projects. Courts must follow the state's laws about taking property. If an owner names a price the Secretary finds fair, the Army may buy it or accept donations.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §591
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary of the Army may cause proceedings to be instituted, in the name of the United States, in any court having jurisdiction of such proceedings, for the acquirement by condemnation of any land, right-of-way, or material needed to enable him to maintain, operate, or prosecute works for the improvement of rivers and harbors for which provision has been made by law; such proceedings to be prosecuted in accordance with the laws relating to suits for the condemnation of property of the States wherein the proceedings may be instituted: Provided, however, That when the owner of such land, right-of-way, or material shall fix a price for the same, which in the opinion of the Secretary of the Army, shall be reasonable, he may purchase the same at such price without further delay: And provided further, That the Secretary of the Army is authorized to accept donations of lands or materials required for the maintenance or prosecution of such works.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act
July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. section 205(a) of act
July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted “Title 10, Armed Forces” which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 591
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102