
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC277e]

 
               TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
 
           CHAPTER 7--INTERNATIONAL BUREAUS, CONGRESSES, ETC.
 
       SUBCHAPTER IV--INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION
 
Sec. 277e. Disposal of lands; issuance of licenses for use of 
        lands; compensation for injured property
        
    The Secretary of State is authorized to lease any land heretofore or 
hereafter acquired under any Act, Executive order, or treaty in 
connection with projects, in whole or in part, constructed or 
administered by the Secretary of State through the said American 
Commissioner, or to dispose of such lands when no longer needed, subject 
to applicable regulations under the Federal Property and Administrative 
Services Act of 1949, as amended [40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.], by sale at 
public auction, after thirty days' advertisement, at a price not less 
than that which may be fixed by three disinterested appraisers, to be 
designated by the Secretary of State, or by private sale, or otherwise, 
at not less than such appraised value: Provided, That any of such land 
as shall have been donated to the United States and which is no longer 
needed may be reconveyed, without cost, to the grantor or his heirs: 
Provided, further, That the lease or disposal of any land pursuant 
hereto may, in the discretion of the Secretary of State, be subject to 
reservations in favor of the United States for rights-of-way for 
irrigation, drainage, river work, and other purposes, and any such 
disposal may be conditioned upon and made subject to inclusion of such 
lands in any existing irrigation district in the vicinity of such lands, 
the proceeds of any such lease or sale to be covered into the Treasury 
of the United States: And provided further, That in the discretion of 
the Secretary of State, and subject to such conditions as he may deem 
appropriate, conveyances of any other of such lands not needed by the 
United States may be made to the State to which they lie adjacent or to 
any similarly situated county, city, or other governmental subdivision 
of such State, without cost, for use for public purposes.
    The Secretary of State is further authorized to issue revokable 
licenses for public or private use for irrigation or other structures or 
uses not inconsistent with the use of such lands made, or to be made, by 
the United States, across any lands retained by the United States, and 
to execute all necessary leases, title instruments, and conveyances, in 
order to carry out the provisions of this section.
    Whenever the construction of any project or works undertaken or 
administered by the Secretary of State through the International 
Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, results in the 
interference with or necessitates the alteration or restoration of 
constructed and existing irrigation or water-supply structures, sanitary 
or sewage disposal works, or other structures, or physical property 
belonging to any municipal or private corporation, company, association, 
or individual, the Secretary of State may cause the restoration or 
reconstruction of such works, structures, or physical property or the 
construction of others in lieu thereof or he may compensate the owners 
thereof to the extent of the reasonable value thereof as the same may be 
agreed upon by the American Commissioner with such owner.
    The Secretary of State acting through such officers as he may 
designate, is further authorized to consider, adjust, and pay from funds 
appropriated for the project, the construction of which resulted in 
damages, any claim for damages accruing after March 31, 1937, caused to 
owners of lands or other private property of any kind by reason of the 
operations of the United States, its officers or employees, in the 
survey, construction, operation, or maintenance of any project 
constructed or administered through the American Commissioner, 
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, 
if such claim for damages does not exceed $1,000 and has been filed with 
the American Commissioner within one year after the damage is alleged to 
have occurred, and when in the opinion of the American Commissioner such 
claim is substantiated by a report of a board appointed by the said 
Commissioner.

(Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 763, 49 Stat. 906; June 19, 1939, ch. 212, 53 Stat. 
841; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 654, Sec. 2(15), 65 Stat. 707; Pub. L. 85-201, 
Aug. 28, 1957, 71 Stat. 475.)

                       References in Text

    The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as 
amended, referred to in text, is act June 30, 1949, ch. 288, 63 Stat. 
377, as amended. Provisions of that Act relating to disposal of 
Government property are classified to chapter 10 (Sec. 471 et seq.) of 
Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works. For complete 
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out 
under section 471 of Title 40 and Tables.


                               Amendments

    1957--Pub. L. 85-201 struck out ``to citizens of the United States'' 
after ``is authorized to lease'' and ``to American citizens'' after ``or 
to dispose of such lands'' in first sentence of first paragraph, before 
first proviso.
    1951--Act Oct. 31, 1951, inserted reference to applicable 
regulations of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 
1949, as amended, in text before first proviso of first paragraph.
    1939--Act June 19, 1939, inserted last paragraph.
