16 USC 410aaa-81c - Prohibited uses of acquired, donated, and conservation land

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 18, 2024

§ 410aaa–81c.

Prohibited uses of acquired, donated, and conservation land

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Acquired land

(2)

Conservation area

(3)

Conservation land

The term “conservation land” means any land within the Conservation Area that is designated to satisfy the conditions of a Federal habitat conservation plan, general conservation plan, or State natural communities conservation plan, including—

(A)

national conservation land established pursuant to section 7202(b)(2)(D) of this title; and

(B)

areas of critical environmental concern established pursuant to section 1712(c)(3) of title 43.

(4)

Donated land

(5)

Donor

(6)

Secretary

(7)

State

(b)

Prohibitions

Except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall not authorize the use of acquired land, conservation land, or donated land within the Conservation Area for any activities contrary to the conservation purposes for which the land was acquired, designated, or donated, including—

(1)

disposal;

(2)

rights-of-way;

(3)

leases;

(4)

livestock grazing;

(5)

infrastructure development, except as provided in subsection (c);

(6)

mineral entry; and

(7)

off-highway vehicle use, except on—

(A)

designated routes;

(B)

off-highway vehicle areas designated by law; and

(C)

administratively designated open areas.

(c)

Exceptions

(1)

Authorization by Secretary

Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may authorize limited exceptions to prohibited uses of acquired land or donated land in the Conservation Area if—

(A)

a right-of-way application for a renewable energy development project or associated energy transport facility on acquired land or donated land was submitted to the Bureau of Land Management on or before December 1, 2009; or

(B)

after the completion and consideration of an analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Secretary has determined that proposed use is in the public interest.

(2)

Conditions

(A)

In general

(B)

Approval

The private land to be donated under subparagraph (A) shall be approved by the Secretary after—

(i)

consultation, to the maximum extent practicable, with the donor of the private land proposed for nonconservation uses; and

(ii)

an opportunity for public comment regarding the donation.

(d)

Existing agreements

(e)

Deed restrictions

Effective beginning on March 12, 2019, within the Conservation Area, the Secretary may—

(1)

accept deed restrictions requested by landowners for land donated to, or otherwise acquired by, the United States; and

(2)

consistent with existing rights, create deed restrictions, easements, or other third-party rights relating to any public land determined by the Secretary to be necessary—

(A)

to fulfill the mitigation requirements resulting from the development of renewable resources; or

(B)

to satisfy the conditions of—

(i)

a habitat conservation plan or general conservation plan established pursuant to section 1539 of this title; or

(ii)

a natural communities conservation plan approved by the State.

(Pub. L. 103–433, title VII, § 714, as added Pub. L. 116–9, title I, § 1453, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 712.)

cite as: 16 USC 410aaa-81c