§268a Acquisition of Fern Lake watershed

Summary

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to buy, from willing sellers and using appropriated money if needed, Fern Lake and about 4,500 acres of the Fern Lake watershed to add to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The purchase is meant to protect the view from Pinnacle Overlook, improve park recreation, and keep Fern Lake as the water source for the city of Middlesboro, Kentucky. The watershed is privately owned, the lake is about 150 acres and part of it is for sale, and the land bought must become part of the park and be managed like other park lands. If the Secretary buys Fern Lake, the United States must give the city of Middlesboro all U.S. rights to the lake up to the normal operating elevation of 1,200.4 feet, plus the dam and water-delivery equipment, at no cost to the city. The Secretary may keep an easement for scenic or recreational use. If the lake later stops being used for Middlesboro’s water, ownership returns to the United States and the Secretary will manage it as part of the park. The lands to be acquired are shown on map number 380/80,004 dated May 2001, which is on file with the National Park Service. The Secretary must consult with officials of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, local governments, tourism groups, and other interested parties. Definitions used: Fern Lake (the lake in Bell County, KY, and Claiborne County, TN); land (land, water, interests, improvements); park (Cumberland Gap National Historical Park); Secretary (Secretary of the Interior acting through the National Park Service Director).