§410aaa–81c Prohibited Uses of Acquired, Donated, and Conservation Land

Summary

Stops the Secretary from allowing uses on protected lands in the California Desert Conservation Area that would go against why the land was bought, set aside, or donated. That includes acquired, conservation, and donated lands. Uses generally not allowed are selling or giving the land away, giving rights-of-way, leasing, grazing livestock, building infrastructure (except as allowed below), mining entry, and off‑highway vehicle use except on routes or areas that are officially opened. The Secretary may allow a limited exception if a right‑of‑way application for a renewable energy project was filed on or before December 1, 2009, or if a full NEPA review shows the use is in the public interest. When an exception is allowed, the person getting the permit must donate private land of equal value inside the Conservation Area, and that donated land must be approved after talking with the original donor when possible and giving the public a chance to comment. Acquired land — land bought with Land and Water Conservation Fund money; Conservation Area — the California Desert Conservation Area; Conservation land — land set aside to meet habitat or conservation plans; Donated land — private land given to the United States for conservation there; Donor — the person or group who donates land; Secretary — the Secretary acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management; State — California. Existing easements, deed limits, or agreements in place on March 12, 2019 stay in effect. The Secretary may accept or create deed restrictions or easements to meet mitigation needs or to satisfy habitat or State natural communities conservation plans.