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Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§1304 Annual payment; adjustment

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 29— - WATER BANK PROGRAM FOR WETLANDS PRESERVATION › § 1304

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must make yearly payments to an owner or operator who signs an agreement and must help pay part of the average cost to set up and keep conservation and development work on the wetlands and nearby areas. The payment level must be set to encourage people to join the water bank program. Payments can be increased if the owner allows public hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking on the land without extra pay, following state and federal rules. Any change in payment levels needs money approved in advance by Congress and must follow section 1302.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §1304

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In return for the agreement of the owner or operator, the Secretary shall (1) make an annual payment to the owner or operator for the period of the agreement at such rate or rates as the Secretary determines to be fair and reasonable in consideration of the obligations undertaken by the owner or operator; and (2) bear such part of the average cost of establishing and maintaining conservation and development practices on the wetlands and adjacent areas for the purposes of this chapter as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. In making his determination, the Secretary shall consider, among other things, the rate of compensation necessary to encourage owners or operators of wetlands to participate in the water bank program. The rate or rates of annual payments as determined hereunder shall be increased, by an amount determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, in relation to the benefit to the general public of the use of the wetland areas, together with designated adjacent areas, if the owner or operator agrees to permit, without other compensation, access to such acreage by the general public, during the agreement period, for hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking, subject to applicable State and Federal regulations. The rates of annual payment shall be adjusted, to the extent provided for in advance by appropriation Acts, in accordance with section 1302 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1980—Pub. L. 96–182 inserted provisions that the rates of annual payment shall be adjusted, to the extent provided for in advance by appropriation acts, in accordance with section 1302 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 1304

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73