---
kind: "range"
citation: "43 U.S.C. §§ 561–563"
title: "43"
from: "561"
to: "563"
count: 3
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/561..563"
---

# §561. Survey and subdivision of land for town sites; reservation for public purposes


The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior may in connection with irrigation projects under the reclamation Act of June seventeenth, nineteen hundred and two, not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres in each case, [survey](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) and subdivide the same into town lots, with appropriate reservations for public purposes: Provided, That, whenever, in the opinion of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, it shall be advisable for the public interest, he may dispose of town sites in excess of one hundred and sixty acres.


# §562. Appraisal and sale of town lots


The lots so surveyed shall be appraised under the direction of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior and sold under his direction at not less than their appraised value at public auction to the highest bidders, from time to time, for cash, and the lots offered for sale and not disposed of may afterwards be sold at not less than the appraised value under such regulations as the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior may prescribe. Reclamation [funds](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k) may be used to defray the necessary expenses of appraisement and sale, and the proceeds of such sales shall be covered into the reclamation [fund](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k).


# §563. Disposal of town sites set apart prior to June 27, 1906


Any town site set apart or established prior to June 27, 1906, by proclamation of the President, under the provisions of sections 711 and 712[^1] of this title, within or in the vicinity of any reclamation project, may be appraised and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of [section 562 of this title](/usc/43/562.md) and all necessary expenses incurred in the appraisal and sale of lands embraced within any such town site shall be paid from the reclamation [fund](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k), and the proceeds of the sales of such lands shall be covered into the reclamation [fund](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k).