§2668. Easements for rights-of-way

(a) If the Secretary of a military department finds that it will not be against the public interest, he may grant, upon such terms as he considers advisable, easements for rights-of-way over, in, and upon public lands permanently withdrawn or reserved for the use of that department, and other lands under his control, to a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession, or political subdivision thereof, or to a citizen, association, partnership, or corporation of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession, for-

(1) railroad tracks;

(2) oil pipe lines;

(3) substations for electric power transmission lines, telephone lines, and telegraph lines, and pumping stations for gas, water, sewer, and oil pipe lines;

(4) canals;

(5) ditches;

(6) flumes;

(7) tunnels;

(8) dams and reservoirs in connection with fish and wildlife programs, fish hatcheries, and other improvements relating to fish-culture;

(9) roads and streets; and

(10) any other purpose that he considers advisable, except a purpose covered by section 2669 of this title or by the Act of March 4, 1911 (43 U.S.C. 961).

(b) No easement granted under this section may include more land than is necessary for the easement.

(c) The Secretary of the military department concerned may terminate all or part of any easement granted under this section for-

(1) failure to comply with the terms of the grant;

(2) nonuse for a two-year period; or

(3) abandonment.

(d) Copies of instruments granting easements over public lands under this section shall be furnished to the Secretary of the Interior.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 150 ; Oct. 19, 1984, Pub. L. 98–525, title XIV, §1405(38), 98 Stat. 2624 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
2668(a) 2668(b)	43:931b (less 2d and 3d provisos of 1st sentence, and less last sentence). 43:931b (2d proviso of 1st sentence).	July 24, 1946, ch. 596, §7, 60 Stat. 643 ; Oct. 25, 1951, ch. 563, §101 (31st through 43d words), 65 Stat. 641 .
2668(c)	43:931b (3d proviso of 1st sentence).
2668(d)	43:931b (last sentence) [43:931b is made applicable to the Navy by 50:171–1 (16th through 21st words)].

In subsection (a), the word "conditions" is omitted as covered by the word "terms". The description of the persons covered in the opening paragraph and the lands covered in clauses (1)–(10) is restated to reflect an opinion of the Judge Advocate General of the Army (JAGR 1952/3179, 27 Mar. 1952). The exceptions to clause (10) make express the fact that the revised section does not cover certain easements authorized by earlier law. The word "over" includes the word "across". The words "of the United States", "and empowered", "acquired lands", "jurisdiction and", and "municipality" are omitted as surplusage. The word "Commonwealth" is inserted to reflect the present status of Puerto Rico.

In subsection (b), the words "for the easement" are substituted for the words "for the purpose for which granted".

In subsections (b) and (c), the word "easement" is substituted for the word "rights-of-way".

In subsection (c), the word "terminate" is substituted for the words "annulled and forfeited". The words "and conditions" are omitted as covered by the word "terms". The words "two-year period" are substituted for the words "a period of two consecutive years". The words "of rights granted under authority hereof" are omitted as surplusage.

Amendments

1984-Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 98–525 substituted "the Act of March 4, 1911 (43 U.S.C. 961)" for "section 961 of title 43".

Cross References

Easements for rights-of-way across lands purchased for river, harbor, and flood control improvements granted by Secretary of the Army, see section 558c of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Rights of way and other easements in public lands, see section 931 et seq. of Title 43, Public Lands.