---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3923"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3923"
heading: "Restriction on use of eminent domain in acquisitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3923"
units:
  - "Chapter 59 — Wetlands Resources"
  - "Subchapter III — State and Federal Wetlands Acquisition"
---

# §3923. Restriction on use of eminent domain in acquisitions


The powers of condemnation or eminent domain shall not be used in the [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) of [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5) under any provision of this chapter where such [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5) have been constructed for the purpose of farming or ranching, or result from conservation activities associated with farming or ranching.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–645, title III, § 305, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3588.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 99–645, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3582, known as the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3901 of this title and Tables.