---
kind: "range"
citation: "43 U.S.C. §§ 952–955"
title: "43"
from: "952"
to: "955"
count: 4
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/952..955"
---

# §952. Reservoir sites for water for livestock


Any person, livestock company, or transportation corporation engaged in breeding, grazing, driving, or transporting livestock may construct reservoirs upon unoccupied [public lands](/usc/43/155.md?p=1) of the United States, not mineral or otherwise reserved, for the purpose of furnishing water to such livestock, and shall have control of such reservoir, under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, and the lands upon which the same is constructed, not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres, so long as such reservoir is maintained and water kept therein for such purposes: Provided, That such reservoir shall not be fenced and shall be open to the free use of any person desiring to water animals of any kind.

The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, in his discretion, under such rules, regulations, and conditions as he may prescribe, upon application by such person, company, or corporation, may grant permission to fence such reservoirs in order to protect livestock, to conserve water, and to preserve its quality and conditions: Provided, That such reservoir shall be open to the free use of any person desiring to water animals of any kind; but any fence, erected under the authority hereof, shall be immediately removed on the order of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7).


# §953. Declaratory statement as to reservoirs


Any person, livestock company, or corporation desiring to avail themselves of the provisions of [sections 952 to 955](/usc/43/952..955.md) of this title shall file a declaratory statement in the United States land office in the [district](/usc/43/316a.md?p=2) where the land is situated, which statement shall describe the land where such reservoir is to be or has been constructed; shall [state](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) what business such corporation is engaged in; specify the capacity of the reservoir in gallons, and whether such company, person, or corporation has filed upon other reservoir sites within the same county; and if so, how many.


# §954. Survey; map of reservoirs


At any time after the completion of such reservoir or reservoirs, which shall be constructed and completed within two years after filing such declaratory statement, such person, company, or corporation shall have the same accurately surveyed, as hereinafter provided, and shall file in the United States land office in the [district](/usc/43/316a.md?p=2) in which such reservoir is located a map or plat showing the location of such reservoir, which map or plat shall be transmitted by the officer, as the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior may designate, of said United States land office to the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior and approved by him, and thereafter such land shall be reserved from sale by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior so long as such reservoir is kept in repair and water kept therein.


# §955. Amendment, alteration, or repeal


Congress may at any time amend, alter, or repeal [sections 952 to 955](/usc/43/952..955.md) of this title.