Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§410fff–9 Study of lands within and adjacent to Curecanti National Recreation Area

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER LIX–DD— - BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK AND GUNNISON GORGE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA › § 410fff–9

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service director, must finish a study within 3 years after October 21, 1999, about protecting land and open space in and near Curecanti National Recreation Area. The study must look at the area's natural, cultural, recreational, and scenic importance (including views, wildlife habitat, and public benefits). It must find practical options to protect those values, suggest affordable tools to do that, and estimate how much those steps would cost. The Secretary must send a report with the study results and recommendations to Congress by the same deadline. Before the study is finished, the Secretary may acquire certain private lands shown on a map dated 01/25/99 called "Proposed Additions to the Curecanti National Recreation Area," labeled "Hall and Fitti properties," totaling about 1,065 acres. The land can be taken only by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, and only if the owner agrees. After buying land, the Secretary must add it to the park boundary and manage it under the same laws and rules as the rest of the area.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §410fff–9

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Not later than 3 years after October 21, 1999, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, shall conduct a study concerning land protection and open space within and adjacent to the area administered as the Curecanti National Recreation Area.

(b)The study required to be completed under subsection (a) shall—

(1)assess the natural, cultural, recreational and scenic resource value and character of the land within and surrounding the Curecanti National Recreation Area (including open vistas, wildlife habitat, and other public benefits);

(2)identify practicable alternatives that protect the resource value and character of the land within and surrounding the Curecanti National Recreation Area;

(3)recommend a variety of economically feasible and viable tools to achieve the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(4)estimate the costs of implementing the approaches recommended by the study.

(c)Not later than 3 years from October 21, 1999, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that—

(1)contains the findings of the study required by subsection (a);

(2)makes recommendations to Congress with respect to the findings of the study required by subsection (a); and

(3)makes recommendations to Congress regarding action that may be taken with respect to the land described in the report.

(d)(1)Prior to the completion of the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary may acquire certain private land or interests in land as depicted on the Map entitled “Proposed Additions to the Curecanti National Recreation Area”, dated 01/25/99, totaling approximately 1,065 acres and entitled “Hall and Fitti properties”.

(2)(A)Land or an interest in land under paragraph (1) may be acquired by—

(i)donation;

(ii)purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or

(iii)exchange.

(B)No land or interest in land may be acquired without the consent of the owner of the land.

(C)Following the acquisition of land under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(i)revise the boundary of the Curecanti National Recreation Area to include newly-acquired land; and

(ii)administer newly-acquired land according to applicable laws (including regulations).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 410fff–9

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73