43 U.S.C. §§ 375b–375f

In accordance with the provisions of sections 375b to 375f of this title and notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the Secretary of the Interior, hereinafter styled the Secretary, is authorized, in connection with any Federal irrigation project for which water is available, and after finding that such action will be in furtherance of the irrigation project and the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388), and Acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto, hereinafter styled the Reclamation Act, to dispose of any tract of withdrawn public land which, in the opinion of the Secretary, has less than sufficient acreage reasonably required for the support of a family and is too small to be opened to homestead entry and classed as a farm unit under the Reclamation Act.

The Secretary is authorized to sell such land to resident farm owners or resident entrymen, on the project upon which such land is located, at prices not less than that fixed by independent appraisal approved by the Secretary, and upon such terms and at private sale or at public auction as he may prescribe: Provided, That such resident farm landowner or resident entryman shall be permitted to purchase under sections 375b to 375f of this title not more than one hundred and sixty acres of such land, or an area which, together with land already owned or entered on such project shall not exceed one hundred and sixty irrigable acres.

After the purchaser has paid to the United States all the amount on the purchase price of such land, a patent shall be issued. Such patents shall contain a reservation of a lien for water charges when deemed appropriate by the Secretary, and reservations of coal or other mineral rights to the same extent as patents issued under the homestead laws and also other reservations, limitations, or conditions as now provided by law.

The moneys derived from the sale of such lands shall be covered into the reclamation fund and be placed to the credit of the project on which such lands are located.

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to perform any and all acts and to make rules and regulations necessary and proper for carrying out the purposes of sections 375b to 375f of this title.