Reclamation Reform Act of 1982

Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA)

The Reclamation Act of 1902 enabled development of the arid West by promoting farming opportunities for families and limiting speculation on land that would benefit from the introduction of irrigated agriculture.

The concept of acreage limitation began with the Reclamation Act of 1902, which provided Reclamation irrigation water to an ownership entitlement limited to 160 acres per person. Congress enacted Public Law 97-293 (the RRA) on October 12, 1982, that raised the land ownership entitlement for most landowners, and introduced full-cost pricing for Reclamation irrigation water. Today, acreage limitation refers to the ownership limitation and pricing restrictions specified in Federal reclamation law, including but not limited to certain provisions in the RRA and its associated Regulations.

• Title II of Public Law 97-293 is known as the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA).
• 43 CFR* Part 426; Acreage Limitation Rules and Regulations
• 43 CFR* Part 428; Information Requirements for Certain Farm Operations in Excess of 960 Acres and the Eligibility of Certain Formerly Excess Land

*CFR = Code of Federal Regulations

The Bureau of Reclamation's RRA program is administered by a team of RRA staff that is centralized in Reclamation's Policy and Programs Directorate in Denver, Colorado. Please see the regional contacts page to locate the RRA staff person specific to your district or Reclamation region.