Title 43, Public LandsRelease 119-102
§451d Disposal of Improvements; Water Rights; Revertibility of Relinquished Land
Title 43 › CHAPTER 12 — RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT › SUBCHAPTER VII — EXCHANGE AND AMENDMENT OF FARM UNITS › § 451d
Summary
Once the Secretary approves an exchange and gives notice, the person has ninety days to sell or remove any buildings or other improvements they put on the relinquished land, as long as doing so does not harm others' rights. The exchange ends any water right tied to the original land, and the land returned to the United States becomes public domain to be handled under the Federal reclamation laws.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §451d
Public Lands, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Within ninety days after receipt of notice of the approval by the Secretary of the application for exchange of entry and subject to the rights and interests of other parties, the entryman may dispose of, and he or his transferee or vendee may remove, any and all improvements placed on the relinquished unit. Upon the making of an exchange under this subchapter, any water right appurtenant to the original lands under the Federal reclamation laws shall cease and the water supply theretofore used or required to satisfy such right shall be available for disposition under those laws. Any land relinquished or conveyed to the United States under this subchapter shall revert to or become a part of the public domain and be subject to disposition by the Secretary under any of the provisions of the Federal reclamation laws.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal reclamation laws, referred to in text, are identified in section 451i of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 451d
Title 43, Public Lands
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102