§698s Acquisition

Summary

The Secretary may get lands, water, and property rights inside the Preserve by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. The Secretary must not acquire any land or water without the owner’s consent. Land or water owned by the State of Alabama or its local governments may be accepted only by donation or exchange. Right after the Preserve boundaries are published under section 698q(d), the Secretary must begin negotiations. Not later than 1 year after October 21, 1992, the Secretary must send a written schedule and progress report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate), the Committee on Natural Resources (House), and the Committees on Appropriations of Congress. The Secretary must substantially complete acquisitions not later than 2 years after October 21, 1992, subject to available funds. As soon as any environmental audit of a property is finished, the Secretary must give the property owner a copy. Any audit by the Secretary, and any audit done by the owner and given to the Secretary before purchase, must be included with the documents that transfer title to the United States. No land or land interest may be added to the Preserve after October 21, 1992, without Congress specifically authorizing it and the owner’s consent.