Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102

§1223 Agreements with States and Subdivisions; Equitable Sharing of Costs; Development Improvements; Availability of Appropriations; State Hunting and Fishing Laws Applicable

Title 16 › CHAPTER 26 — ESTUARINE AREAS › § 1223

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

After the main study is finished, the Interior Secretary, with the President's OK, can make a deal with a State or its local government (the Governor or a state agency must first approve deals with local governments). The Secretary can also make a deal for a specific area once the study part for that area is done and the Governor approves. The deal must share costs fairly between the Federal government and the State or local government. It can cover permanent management, development, and running of estuary lands the State owns or later gets. Work can include buildings, structures, recreational facilities, access roads, and similar improvements, but only if money is available. State hunting and fishing rules apply there as they do now or in the future.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §1223

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

After the completion of the general study authorized by section 1222 of this title, the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the President, may enter into an agreement, containing such terms and conditions as are mutually acceptable, with any State or with a political subdivision or agency thereof (if the agreement with such subdivision or agency is first approved by the Governor of the State involved or by a State agency designated for that purpose) for the permanent management, development, and administration of any area, land, or interests therein within an estuary and adjacent lands which are owned or thereafter acquired by a State or by any political subdivision thereof: Provided, That, with the approval of the Governor of the State involved or of a State agency designated for that purpose, the Secretary may also enter into such an agreement for any particular area whenever the segment of the general study applicable to that area is completed subject to the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of section 1222 of this title. Such agreement shall, among other things, provide that the State or a political subdivision or agency thereof and the Secretary shall share in an equitable manner in the cost of managing, administering, and developing such areas, and such development may include the construction, operation, installation, and maintenance of buildings, devices, structures, recreational facilities, access roads, and other improvements, and such agreement shall be subject to the availability of appropriations. State hunting and fishing laws and regulations shall be applicable to such areas to the extent they are now or hereafter applicable.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 1223

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102