---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 590z–8"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "590z–8"
heading: "Authority of Secretary of the Interior over lands, contracts, water rights, etc."
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/590z-8"
units:
  - "Chapter 3C — Water Conservation"
  - "Subchapter II — Conservation and Utilization Projects"
---

# §590z–8. Authority of Secretary of the Interior over lands, contracts, water rights, etc.

- (a) **Utilization of lands—** In connection with any [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) constructed pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall have the same authority, with regard to the utilization of lands owned by the United States, other than lands acquired under [section 590z–3 of this title](/usc/16/590z–3.md) as he has in connection with [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) undertaken pursuant to the Federal reclamation laws, Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388), and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto.
- (b) **Contracts, land acquisitions, etc.** In connection with the construction or operation and maintenance of a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) undertaken pursuant to the authority of this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall have with respect to construction and supply contracts, and with respect to the [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), exchange, and disposition of lands, interest in lands, water rights, and other property and the relocation thereof, the same authority, including authority to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) lands and interests in land and water rights with titles and at prices satisfactory to him, which he has in connection with [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) under the Federal reclamation laws.

## Source credit

(Aug. 11, 1939, ch. 717, § 10, as added Oct. 14, 1940, ch. 861, 54 Stat. 1125.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Act of June 17, 1902, referred to in subsec. (a), is act June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388, popularly known as the Reclamation Act, which is classified generally to chapter 12 (§ 371 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 371 of Title 43 and Tables.