§460z–5 Land acquisition in inland sector

Summary

The Secretary may only buy certain kinds of land in the inland sector if the owner agrees. Those kinds are: improved property (land with buildings or other improvements); land used for business or industry when it was used that way on December 31, 1970, or when the Secretary or someone the Secretary appoints says that use fits the area's goals; timberlands that are managed for steady timber production; and land that was mainly used for private, noncommercial recreation on December 31, 1970 when later changes are approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary can still take timberlands without the owner’s consent if the land is essential for recreation, access, or to protect recreation facilities. If timberlands are taken, the Secretary must try, as much as possible, to avoid hurting neighbors’ access or their ability to keep using nearby land for sustained timber production.