---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 597b"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "597b"
heading: "Compensation for easements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/597b"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Reclamation and Irrigation of Lands by Federal Government"
  - "Subchapter XVII — Legislation Applicable to Particular Projects Generally"
---

# §597b. Compensation for easements


Compensation to the individual Indian owners of the allotted lands within the area described in [section 597a of this title](/usc/43/597a.md) shall be made from moneys appropriated for the construction of the Bull Lake Dam and Reservoir at the appraised value of the easements: Provided, That should any individual Indian not agree to accept the appraised value of the easement as it affects his land, the [Secretary](/usc/43/485a.md?p=b) of the Interior be, and he is, authorized to acquire such easement by condemnation proceedings.


## Source credit

(Mar. 14, 1940, ch. 51, § 2, 54 Stat. 49.)