Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73not60
§421a Construction of Distribution and Drainage Systems by Irrigation Districts or Public Agencies
Title 43 › Chapter 12— RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT › Subchapter III— INSTITUTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTS › § 421a
Summary
Irrigation districts or other public agencies may build certain water distribution and drainage systems instead of the Secretary of the Interior, as long as the Secretary approves their plans and specifications. Drainage systems here mean those that collect and remove extra irrigation water from the ground or its surface and do not include enlarging or changing existing natural waterways to carry runoff.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §421a
Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Distribution and drainage systems authorized to be constructed under the Federal reclamation laws may, in lieu of construction by the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in sections 421a to 421h of this title as the “Secretary”), be constructed by irrigation districts or other public agencies according to plans and specifications approved by the Secretary as provided in sections 421a to 421h of this title. The drainage systems referred to in sections 421a to 421h of this title are those required for collection and removal of excess irrigation water, either on or below the surface of the ground and do not include enlargement or alteration of existing waterways for disposition or natural runoff.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1972—Pub. L. 92–487 substituted provisions relating to
Construction
of distribution and drainage systems, for provisions relating to
Construction
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 421a
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60