Reclamation Act of 1979

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Reclamation Act of 1979 - Establishes a 1,600 acre limitation on a landholding to be served with reclamation project water. States that in order for an individual, which term includes brothers and sisters, spouse, and dependents, who has farmed the land for less than five years to be eligible to receive reclamation water, one of three tests must be met as follows: (1) residence within 50 miles of the land; (2) provision of more than one-half of the capital and labor to operate the land; or (3) derivation of primary income from the land. Allows family corporations and small businesses to be eligible if their beneficial owners meet the three test requirements. Exempts certain lands owned by States and political subdivisions and agencies and lands owned by charitable, religious, tax-exempt organizations from the acreage limitation provisions of the Federal reclamation laws. Permits larger acreages, equivalent to 1,600 acres of class I land, to receive project water where the land is of lesser productive potential. Exempts landholdings from acreage limitations if the contracting entity has made full payment or will make an immediate lump-sum payment of the balance remaining on the cons…