§724 Consent of States to Acquisition; Existing Rights-of-way, Easements, Etc.

Summary

The United States cannot acquire land for these purposes unless the legislature of each State that has any of the land agrees. Except for leases, the U.S. must not pay for the land until the Attorney General is satisfied the title is clear and the land is owned by the United States. Existing rights (like rights-of-way, easements, or other reservations) do not prevent acquisition if the Secretary says they won’t interfere with the land’s use, or if the deed says those rights will be governed by rules made under this law.