211.2—Authority to acquire real estate.
(a) Congressional authority necessary.
No land shall be acquired on account of the United States except under a law authorizing such acquisition. (See R. S. 3736; 41 U. S. C. 14.)
(b) Authority of the Secretary.
The authority of the Secretary of the Army to acquire real estate for river and harbor improvements, flood control projects and allied purposes, is based upon enactments of the Congress authorizing the particular projects and appropriating funds therefor. These enactments are generally termed Flood Control Acts and are passed following the submission by the Secretary of the Army of preliminary plans and surveys to the Congress for consideration and approval.
(c) Local cooperation.
As a general rule in river and harbor and flood control projects, except channel improvements, channel rectifications, dam and reservoir, and certain other types of projects, local interests are required to provide without cost to the United States, all lands, easements and rights-of-way necessary for the construction of the projects.