Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73not60
§418 Private Lands Within Project; Agreement as to Disposal of Excess Over Farm Unit
Title 43 › Chapter 12— RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT › Subchapter III— INSTITUTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTS › § 418
Summary
Before any construction contract is signed or work starts on a reclamation project approved after August 13, 1914, the Secretary of the Interior must make private landowners agree to sell any land that is more than the amount the Secretary says is enough for a family to live on. The sale must follow the terms and the maximum price the Secretary sets, and if an owner refuses, their land will not be included in the project.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §418
Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Before any contract is let or work begun for the construction of any reclamation project adopted after August 13, 1914, the Secretary of the Interior shall require the owners of private lands thereunder to agree to dispose of all lands in excess of the area which he shall deem sufficient for the support of a family upon the land in question, upon such terms and at not to exceed such price as the Secretary of the Interior may designate; and if any landowner shall refuse to agree to the requirements fixed by the Secretary of the Interior, his land shall not be included within the project if adopted for construction.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 418
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60