---
kind: "range"
citation: "43 U.S.C. §§ 982–984"
title: "43"
from: "982"
to: "984"
count: 3
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/982..984"
---

# §982. Grant to States to aid in construction of levees and drains


To enable the several [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) (but not including the [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) of Kansas, Nebraska, and Nevada) to construct the necessary levees and drains, to reclaim the swamp and overflowed lands therein—the whole of the swamp and overflowed lands, made unfit thereby for cultivation, and remaining unsold on or after the 28th day of September, A.D. 1850, are granted and belong to the several [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) respectively, in which said lands are situated: Provided, however, That said grant of swamp and overflowed lands, as to the [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) of California, Minnesota, and Oregon, is subject to the limitations, restrictions and conditions hereinafter named and specified in this chapter, as applicable to said three last-named [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) respectively.


# §983. Lists and plats of lands, for governors of States


It shall be the duty of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, to make accurate lists and plats of all such lands, and transmit the same to the governors of the several [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) in which such lands may lie, and at the request of the governor of any [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) in which said swamp and overflowed lands may be, to cause patents to be issued to said [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) therefor, conveying to said [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) the fee simple of said land.

The proceeds of said lands, whether from sale or by direct appropriation in kind, shall be applied exclusively, as far as necessary, to the reclaiming said lands, by means of levees and drains.


# §984. Legal subdivisions mostly wet and unfit for cultivation


In making out lists and plats of the lands aforesaid all legal subdivisions, the greater part whereof is wet and unfit for cultivation, shall be included in said lists and plats, but when the greater part of a subdivision is not of that character, the whole of it shall be excluded therefrom.