§1600j Federal Leases

Summary

Leases for land the United States owns inside the Colorado River Floodway cannot be approved after October 8, 1986 unless the Secretary decides the lease will not interfere with running and caring for the Floodway. Existing leases cannot be extended past October 8, 1986 (or past their stated end date) unless the renter agrees to take reasonable steps, as the Secretary requires, to reduce any conflict with Floodway operations. Leases of U.S. land between Hoover Dam and Davis Dam that are below elevation 655.0 feet on Lake Mohave also need the Secretary’s finding that they are compatible with how Lake Mohave is run. These limits do not apply to leases on Indian lands that are exempt under section 1600e. They also do not apply to lands held in trust for a tribe or individual if no federal money will pay for improvements or upkeep and the tribe, individual, or lessee gives the Secretary insurance or other security that covers all reasonably foreseeable direct and consequential damages to tribal property, private people, and the United States.