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

Summary

If state or local public agencies agree in writing before a project is approved to manage project lands for recreation and/or fish and wildlife and to pay at least one-half of separable recreation costs, one-quarter of separable fish and wildlife costs, and at least one-half of operation, maintenance, and replacement costs, then the project must count those recreation and wildlife benefits when measuring overall project benefits. Costs must be shared fairly among uses, and the money charged to recreation or fish and wildlife cannot be more than the benefits from those uses, the cost to provide them, or a reasonably equivalent cheaper option. 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 recreation and fish and wildlife, and those federal shares do not have to be repaid. Projects authorized in calendar year 1965 could include recreation and fish and wildlife on this basis even without the written intent. The written agreement must be signed before construction starts. Non-Federal shares may be provided by payment or by giving land or facilities, or by repaying with interest over fifty years from first use. Repayment can be limited to entrance or user fees if the fee plan will achieve repayment and is reviewed and renegotiated at least every five years.