Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73not60

§477 Association or Irrigation District as Fiscal Agent of Government

Title 43 › Chapter 12— RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT › Subchapter IX— CONSTRUCTION CHARGES › § 477

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior can pick a legally formed water-users’ association or irrigation district in any reclamation project to act as the United States’ agent to collect yearly construction charges, yearly operation and maintenance charges, and any penalties, following rules he sets. A person applying for water rights or claiming land won’t get credit for a payment collected that way until the money is turned over to an officer the Secretary names to receive it.

Full Legal Text

Title 43, §477

Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion, to designate and appoint, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, the legally organized water-users’ association or irrigation district, under any reclamation project, as the fiscal agent of the United States to collect the annual payments on the construction charge of the project and the annual charges for operation and maintenance and all penalties: Provided, That no water-right applicant or entryman shall be entitled to credit for any payment thus made until the same shall have been paid over to an officer designated by the Secretary of the Interior to receive the same.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

43 U.S.C. § 477

Title 43 — Public Lands

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60