PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 771-JUNE 30, 1948 Acquisition of agri- cultural lands in New Mexico. Sale or lease of land. Order of preference in leases or purchases. Expiration of lease. Preferred rights. Use of water. Rio Grande project, now estimated at approximately $18,000,000, shall vary that amount to reflect changes in the estimates of those costs occurring prior to the date of the contract or contracts and in so doing may, if need be, extend the repayment period beyond forty years to permit payment of costs in excess of the present estimate. Subject to the limitations of authorizations approved from time to time for prosecution of this plan, approval is granted to the Secretary of the Interior to acquire, on behalf of the United States, by purchase or donation, agricultural lands owned by the State of New Mexico within the Middle Rio Grande project and to develop those lands sub- stantially in the manner outlined in the report of the Bureau of Recla- mation referred to above. Lands so acquired shall be resold or leased by the Secretary to actual settlers for agricultural purposes under rules and regulations prescribed by him which rules and regulations shall set out the prices and terms of such sales and leases, the qualifications required of purchasers and lessees, and other matters relating to the disposition and use of these lands, and shall provide a preferred right to purchase or lease any tract of such land to otherwise qualified per- sons of the following classes in the order here set out, purchasers in any class being preferred to lessees in that or any other class: (1) The former owner or owners of such tracts, if his or their title thereto was divested by reason of sale for taxes to the State of New Mexico. (2) Honorably discharged veterans of World War II who are the sons or daughters of the former owner or owners of such tract, if the title of said former owner or owners was divested by reason of sale for taxes to the State of New Mexico. (3) The sons or daughters of the former owner or owners of such tract other than those referred to in (2) if the title of said former owner or owners was divested by reason of sale for taxes to the State of New Mexico. (4) Honorably discharged veterans of World War II other than those referred to in (2). (5) Persons other than those referred to in the clauses above. Any deed executed by the Secretary in favor of any person described under (4) or (5) shall provide that any person described under (1), (2), or (3) shall have the right to purchase any land conveyed by such deed, within a period of ten years after the execution thereof, by (a) paying to the owner the amount or amounts actually paid by him as consideration for such deed and for the actual cost of improvements on such land plus interest at the rate of 6 per centum per annum on such amount or amounts, and (b) assuming any obligations of the owner to the Secretary with respect to such land. Any lease executed by the Secretary under the provisions of this section to any person described under (4) or (5) shall, by its terms, expire not later than five years after the date of its execution. The preferred rights provided for by this section to purchase or lease any land shall continue to be applicable until such land is finally disposed of by the Secretary; but the right of any lessee or purchaser to enter into possession shall be subject to any rights under any prior lease executed by the Secretary. Moneys accruing from the sale or lease of said lands shall be covered into the reclamation fund in the Treasury. In the administration of the provisions of this Act all water in the Middle Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico shall be deemed to be useful primarily for domestic, municipal, and irrigation purposes. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting or abrogating in any way the laws of the State of New Mexico in which the Middle io [62 STAT.
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