43 U.S.C. § 412 — Prerequisites to initiation of project or division of project

This section sets rules the Secretary must follow before approving a new reclamation project or a new division of one. Since December 5, 1924, the Secretary cannot approve construction, or submit cost estimates, for a new project or new division until detailed information has been gathered first. That information must cover the water supply, the engineering features, the construction cost, land prices, and the likely cost of developing the land. The Secretary must then make a written finding on three points: that the project is feasible, that it is suited for real settlement and farm homes, and that it will probably pay back its cost to the United States.