---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 466"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "466"
heading: "Surveys to correct errors or inequalities in original basis of project"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/466"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Reclamation and Irrigation of Lands by Federal Government"
  - "Subchapter IX — Construction Charges"
---

# §466. Surveys to correct errors or inequalities in original basis of project


On each project existing prior to December 5, 1924, where, in the opinion of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), it appears that on account of lack of fertility in the soil, an inadequate water supply, or other physical causes, settlers are unable to pay construction costs, or whenever it appears that the cost of any [reclamation project](/usc/43/373c.md?p=2) by reason of error or mistake or for any cause has been apportioned or charged upon a smaller area of land than the total area of land under said project, the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) is authorized to undertake a comprehensive and detailed [survey](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) to ascertain all pertinent facts, and report in each case the result of such [survey](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) to the Congress, with his recommendations: Provided, That the cost and expense of each such [survey](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) shall be charged to the appropriation for the project on account of which the same is made, but shall not be charged as a part of the construction or operation and maintenance cost payable by the water users under the project.


## Source credit

(Dec. 5, 1924, ch. 4, § 4, subsec. K, 43 Stat. 703.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Definitions

The definitions in section 371 of this title apply to this section.