33 U.S.C. § 597 : US Code - Section 597: Acquisition of lands for water resource development projects; information as to probable timing for acquisition; public meetings; regulations

Search 33 U.S.C. § 597 : US Code - Section 597: Acquisition of lands for water resource development projects; information as to probable timing for acquisition; public meetings; regulations

Within six months after the date that Congress authorizes
construction of a water resource development project under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army, the Corps of Engineers
shall make reasonable effort to advise owners and occupants in and
adjacent to the project area as to the probable timing for the
acquisition of lands for the project and for incidental rights-of-
way, relocations, and any other requirements affecting owners and
occupants. Within a reasonable time after initial appropriations
are made for land acquisition or construction, including
relocations, the Corps of Engineers shall conduct public meetings
at locations convenient to owners and tenants to be displaced by
the project in order to advise them of the proposed plans for
acquisition and to afford them an opportunity to comment. To carry
out the provisions of this section, the Chief of Engineers shall
issue regulations to provide, among other things, dissemination of
the following information to those affected: (1) factors considered
in making the appraisals; (2) desire to purchase property without
going to court; (3) legal right to submit to condemnation
proceedings; (4) payments for moving expenses or other losses not
covered by appraised market value; (5) occupancy during
construction; (6) removal of improvements; (7) payments required
from occupants of Government acquired land; (8) withdrawals by
owners of deposits made in court by Government, and (9) use of land
by owner when easement is acquired. The provisions of this section
shall not subject the United States to any liability nor affect the
validity of any acquisitions by purchase or condemnation and shall
be exempt from the operations of subchapter II of chapter 5, and
chapter 7, of title 5.