Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73

§698g Acquisition of lands for Big Cypress Preserve

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 6— - GAME AND BIRD PRESERVES; PROTECTION › § 698g

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must quickly buy or otherwise get the lands and land rights needed to carry out the Big Cypress preserve, because Florida passed chapter 73–131, the Big Cypress Conservation Act of 1973. Within one year after October 11, 1974, the Secretary must send a written plan to the Congressional Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs and on Appropriations showing which lands are essential for protection and public use, which lands have already been acquired by purchase, donation, exchange, or transfer, and the annual land‑acquisition program and funding recommended for the next five fiscal years. Congress expects the Secretary to mostly finish the land purchases within six years after October 11, 1974.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §698g

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In recognition of the efforts of the State of Florida in the preservation of the area, through the enactment of chapter 73–131 of the Florida statutes, “The Big Cypress Conservation Act of 1973”, the Secretary is directed to proceed as expeditiously as possible to acquire the lands and interests in lands necessary to achieve the purposes of sections 698f to 698m–4 of this title.
(b)Within one year after October 11, 1974, the Secretary shall submit, in writing, to the Committee 11 So in original. Probably should be “Committees”. on Interior and Insular Affairs and to the Committees on Appropriations of the United States Congress a detailed plan which shall indicate:
(i)the lands and areas which he deems essential to the protection and public enjoyment of this preserve.
(ii)the lands which he has previously acquired by purchase, donation, exchange or transfer for administration for the purpose of this preserve, and
(iii)the annual acquisition program (including the level of funding) which he recommends for the ensuing five fiscal years.
(c)It is the express intent of the Congress that the Secretary should substantially complete the land acquisition program contemplated by sections 698f to 698m–4 of this title within six years after October 11, 1974.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the Senate abolished and replaced by Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, effective Feb. 11, 1977. See Rule XXV of Standing Rules of the Senate, as amended by Senate Resolution No. 4 (popularly cited as the “Committee System Reorganization

Amendments

of 1977”), approved Feb. 4, 1977. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives on Jan. 5, 1993, by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Third Congress.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 698g

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73