43 USC § 481 - Action to recover construction charges and penalties

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t43/s481"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "43 USC § 481 - Action to recover construction charges and penalties"
title_number: 43
title_name: "PUBLIC LANDS"
section_number: "481"
section_name: "Action to recover construction charges and penalties"
chapter_number: 12
chapter_name: "RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT"
subchapter_number: "IX"
subchapter_name: "CONSTRUCTION CHARGES"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, § 3, 38 Stat. 687.)"
---


# § 481. Action to recover construction charges and penalties

section 480 of this title

If the Secretary of the Interior shall so elect, he may cause suit or action to be brought for the recovery of the amount of the construction charges in default and penalties; but if suit or action be brought, the right to declare a cancellation and forfeiture of the entry or water-right application as provided in  shall be suspended pending such suit or action.

---

**Source Credit**: (Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, § 3, 38 Stat. 687.)