---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 598a"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "598a"
heading: "Property acquisition"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/598a"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — River and Harbor Improvements Generally"
  - "Subchapter III — Acquisition of Land and Materials"
---

# §598a. Property acquisition

- (a) **In general—** In acquiring an interest in land, or requiring a non-Federal interest to acquire an interest in land, the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) shall, in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 [[42 U.S.C. 4601](/usc/42/4601.md) et seq.], first consider the minimum interest in real property necessary to support the water resources development project for which such interest is acquired.
- (b) **Determination—** In determining an interest in land under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) shall first consider a temporary easement or other interest designed to reduce the overall cost of the water resources development project for which such interest is acquired, reduce the time to complete such project, and minimize conflict with property owners related to such project.
- (c) **Procedures used in State—** In carrying out [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) shall consider, with respect to a State, the procedures that the State uses to acquire, or require the acquisition of, interests in land, to the extent that such procedures are generally consistent with the goals of a project or action.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–270, title I, § 1115, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3776.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 91–646, Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1894, which is classified principally to chapter 61 (§ 4601 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4601 of Title 42 and Tables.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### “Secretary” Defined

Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 102 of Pub. L. 115–270, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.