§102102 Authority of Secretary to Enter Into Lease for Buildings and Associated Property

Summary

The Secretary may lease buildings and nearby property the Secretary manages as part of the System, on terms the Secretary finds appropriate, with the limits below. A lease may not let someone do activities that need a concession contract, a commercial use authorization, or a similar permit from the Secretary. Leased places must be used in ways that match the legal purposes of that System unit, must not harm the unit’s purposes or values, and must fit with Service programs. Rent must equal fair market value, although the Secretary can lower the rent to account for money the lessee spends on preservation, maintenance, restoration, improvement, repair, or related costs. Rent payments go into a special Treasury account that stays available until spent without further appropriation. Money from that account may be used for infrastructure needs at System units, such as facility refurbishment, repair and replacement, resource protection projects, and direct maintenance of the leased buildings and property. The Secretary must make procedures to ensure accountability and results consistent with this section and sections 100101(b), 100502, 100507, 100751(b), 100754, 100901(b) and (c), 100906(a) and (d), 101302(b)(1) and (c) to (e), 101306, 101702(b) and (c), 101901, 102701, and 102702. The Secretary must also create regulations that encourage competition for leases and allow timely, adequate public comment.