Title 33Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73not60

§598a Property Acquisition

Title 33 › Chapter 12— RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY › Subchapter III— ACQUISITION OF LAND AND MATERIALS › § 598a

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary gets land or makes someone else get land for a water project, the Secretary must follow the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.) and choose the smallest land interest needed to support the project. Before buying full ownership, the Secretary must first try temporary easements or other limited rights that lower the project cost, speed up work, and cut down conflicts with property owners. The Secretary should also consider a State’s land‑acquisition steps when they fit the project’s goals.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §598a

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In acquiring an interest in land, or requiring a non-Federal interest to acquire an interest in land, the Secretary shall, in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 [42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.], first consider the minimum interest in real property necessary to support the water resources development project for which such interest is acquired.
(b)In determining an interest in land under subsection (a), the Secretary shall first consider a temporary easement or other interest designed to reduce the overall cost of the water resources development project for which such interest is acquired, reduce the time to complete such project, and minimize conflict with property owners related to such project.
(c)In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider, with respect to a State, the procedures that the State uses to acquire, or require the acquisition of, interests in land, to the extent that such procedures are generally consistent with the goals of a project or action.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 91–646, Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1894, which is classified principally to chapter 61 (§ 4601 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 4601 of Title 42 and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

“Secretary” Defined Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 102 of Pub. L. 115–270, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 598a

Title 33Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60