§460aaa–3 Acquisition

Summary

The Secretary must obtain land, water, buildings, or rights inside the national recreation area by purchase, gift, exchange, or other means to help meet the area’s goals. The Secretary can also get land or buildings on the mainland for access and offices. The Secretary should carefully consider any offer to sell from people or groups who own property inside the area. Private owners may build recreational homes on vacant (unimproved) lots if the homes match the park’s design plan. The Secretary cannot buy private property inside the area without the owner’s consent if the owner agrees to those building rules and gives the Secretary the first chance to buy the property. Owners must offer the property to the Secretary at no more than fair market value. The Secretary has 120 days to accept. If accepted, the Secretary then has until 45 days after the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year of acceptance to complete the purchase. Properties cannot be sold for less than the price offered to the Secretary, and if reoffered they must be offered to the Secretary first. Transfers within the immediate family of the owner of record on January 1, 1989 are not covered. “Immediate family” means spouse, siblings, children (natural or adopted), stepchildren, and direct descendants.