§460l–13 Non-federal Administration of Project Land and Water Areas

Summary

If state or local public agencies sign a written promise before a project is approved to manage the project’s land and water for recreation and for fish and wildlife under the approved plan, and to pay at least one-half of the separable recreation costs, one-quarter of the separable fish and wildlife costs, and at least one-half of operation, maintenance, and replacement costs, then the project’s recreation and fish/wildlife benefits are counted in the project’s economic benefits. Costs must be divided fairly among uses, and the amounts charged to recreation or fish and wildlife cannot be more than the benefits they produce or the least-cost way to provide those benefits. The United States will pay up to one-half of separable recreation costs, exactly three-quarters of separable fish and wildlife costs, and all joint costs for those purposes; those federal shares do not have to be repaid. The local agencies’ share can be provided by paying cash, giving land or facilities, or by repaying with interest within 50 years after the recreation or fish and wildlife facilities are first used. Repayment may come only from entrance or user fees if the fee plan will repay the amount within 50 years and is reviewed and renegotiated at least every five years.