§459f–2 Compensation for Bridge Construction Costs; Acquisition of Land for Park Purposes

Summary

If Maryland runs the Sandy Point–Assateague Island bridge without tolls, the federal Secretary must pay Maryland two-thirds of the bridge construction costs, including approaches and engineering, but the payment cannot be more than $1,000,000. The Secretary can also make agreements with Maryland about how the bridge is used and managed. Maryland may get or lease from the United States lands on the island north of the area now used as a State park for State park use. The Secretary must convey or lease those lands on terms that keep them for public use and in line with sections 459f to 459f–11. If the State breaks the terms, the Secretary can take back some or all of the land. Leases must have fair payment set by the Secretary. If the State buys land, it must pay what the United States spent to buy it and reimburse costs of improvements the United States made, including beach protection, but beach protection reimbursement cannot exceed 30 percent of the United States’ total cost.