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33 USC § 591 - Condemnation, purchase, and donation of land and materials 

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s591"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 591 - Condemnation, purchase, and donation of land and materials"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "591"
section_name: "Condemnation, purchase, and donation of land and materials"
chapter_number: 12
chapter_name: "RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "ACQUISITION OF LAND AND MATERIALS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Apr. 24, 1888, ch. 194, 25 Stat. 94; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, § 205(a), 61 Stat. 501.)"
---

# § 591. Condemnation, purchase, and donation of land and materials

*Provided, however*

The Secretary of the Army may cause proceedings to be instituted, in the name of the United States, in any court having jurisdiction of such proceedings, for the acquirement by condemnation of any land, right-of-way, or material needed to enable him to maintain, operate, or prosecute works for the improvement of rivers and harbors for which provision has been made by law; such proceedings to be prosecuted in accordance with the laws relating to suits for the condemnation of property of the States wherein the proceedings may be instituted: , That when the owner of such land, right-of-way, or material shall fix a price for the same, which in the opinion of the Secretary of the Army, shall be reasonable, he may purchase the same at such price without further delay: And provided further, That the Secretary of the Army is authorized to accept donations of lands or materials required for the maintenance or prosecution of such works.

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**Source Credit**: (Apr. 24, 1888, ch. 194, 25 Stat. 94; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, § 205(a), 61 Stat. 501.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of , . Section 205(a) of act , was repealed by section 53 of , . Section 1 of act , enacted “Title 10, Armed Forces” which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.