Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73

§460ooo–6 Land acquisition

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER CXXVI— - LAS CIENEGAS NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA › § 460ooo–6

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must try first to get land as conservation easements when buying land or land interests inside the Acquisition Planning District. The Secretary can get privately owned land there only from a willing seller, by donation, exchange, or purchase. County land can be acquired only if the county agrees, also by donation, exchange, or purchase. State of Arizona land can be acquired only with the State’s consent and under State law, by donation, exchange, or purchase. For State land, the Secretary must either pay fair market value or give the State federal land, buildings, or another federal asset of equal value located in Arizona. Federal agencies may transfer control of federal lands or assets in Arizona to the Bureau of Land Management to help make these trades or purchases. Any land the United States acquires under these rules becomes part of the Conservation Area right away and must be managed as part of that area under this subchapter, other laws, and the approved management plan.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §460ooo–6

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)In acquiring lands or interest in lands under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to such acquisitions in the form of conservation easements.
(2)The Secretary is authorized to acquire privately held lands or interest in lands within the boundaries of the Acquisition Planning District only from a willing seller through donation, exchange, or purchase.
(3)The Secretary is authorized to acquire county lands or interest in lands within the boundaries of the Acquisition Planning District only with the consent of the county through donation, exchange, or purchase.
(4)(A)The Secretary is authorized to acquire lands or interest in lands owned by the State of Arizona located within the boundaries of the Acquisition Planning District only with the consent of the State and in accordance with State law, by donation, exchange, or purchase.
(B)As consideration for the acquisitions by the United States of lands or interest in lands under this paragraph, the Secretary shall pay fair market value for such lands or shall convey to the State of Arizona all or some interest in Federal lands (including buildings and other improvements on such lands or other Federal property other than real property) or any other asset of equal value within the State of Arizona.
(C)All Federal agencies are authorized to transfer jurisdiction of Federal lands or interest in lands (including buildings and other improvements on such lands or other Federal property other than real property) or any other asset within the State of Arizona to the Bureau of Land Management for the purpose of acquiring lands or interest in lands as provided for in this paragraph.
(b)Lands acquired under this section shall, upon acquisition, become part of the Conservation Area and shall be administered as part of the Conservation Area. These lands shall be managed in accordance with this subchapter, other applicable laws, and the management plan.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Land Exchange and Conservation in ArizonaFor provisions relating to land exchange and conservation in southeastern Arizona, see section 539p of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 460ooo–6

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73