§698s — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretary can acquire lands, waters, or interests inside the Preserve by donation, by buying them with donated or appropriated funds, or by swapping (exchange). The Secretary cannot get any property without the owner's consent. Property owned by the State of Alabama or its local governments may only be acquired by donation or by exchange. Right after the Preserve boundaries are published, the Secretary must start negotiating for the property. No later than 1 year after October 21, 1992, the Secretary must send a written schedule and a progress report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of Congress. The Secretary must substantially finish acquiring the property no later than 2 years after October 21, 1992, subject to the availability of funds. Any environmental audit done for a property must be given promptly to the owner and must be included with the title transfer documents. No land or interest may be added to the Preserve after October 21, 1992, without Congress authorizing it and the owner agreeing.

Title 16, §698s

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary is authorized to acquire lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.

(2)The Secretary may not acquire lands, waters, or interests in lands and waters for the Preserve without the consent of the owner.

(3)Lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve that are owned by the State of Alabama, or any political subdivision of the State, may be acquired only by donation or exchange.

(b)(1)Immediately after publication of a description of the boundaries of the Preserve in accordance with section 698q(d) of this title, the Secretary shall commence negotiations for the acquisition of the lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve.

(2)Not later than 1 year after October 21, 1992, the Secretary shall submit, in writing, a detailed schedule of actions and a progress report regarding the acquisition to—

(A)the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate;

(B)the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and

(C)the Committees on Appropriations of Congress.

(3)The Secretary shall substantially complete the acquisition of the lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the Preserve, in accordance with the purposes of sections 698q to 698t of this title, not later than 2 years after October 21, 1992, subject to the availability of funds.

(c)(1)Promptly following completion of any environmental audit performed by or on behalf of the Secretary with respect to any property proposed to be acquired for the purposes of sections 698q to 698t of this title, the Secretary shall make available to the owner of the property a copy of the audit.

(2)Any audit described in paragraph (1), and any environmental audit performed by the owner of the property and submitted to the Secretary prior to the date of the acquisition, shall be included as part of the documents transferring title to the property to the United States.

(d)No lands or interest in lands may be added to the Preserve after October 21, 1992, without specific authorization by Congress and the consent of the owner of the lands or interest.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 103–437 substituted “Natural Resources” for “Interior and Insular Affairs”.

§698s Acquisition

Summary

Title 16, §698s

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata