16 USC 2103c - Forest Legacy Program

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 06, 2024

§ 2103c.

Forest Legacy Program

(a)

Establishment and purpose

(b)

State and regional forest legacy programs

(c)

Interests in land

(d)

Implementation

(1)

In general

(2)

Initial programs

(e)

Eligibility

(f)

Application

(g)

State consent

(h)

Forest management activities

(1)

In general

(2)

Assignment of responsibilities

(i)

Duties of owners

(j)

Compensation and cost sharing

(1)

Compensation

(2)

Cost sharing

(k)

Easements

(1)

Reserved interest deeds

(2)

Prohibitions on limitations

Notwithstanding any provision of State law, no conservation easement held by the United States or its successors or assigns under this section shall be limited in duration or scope or be defeasible by—

(A)

the conservation easement being in gross or appurtenant;

(B)

the management of the conservation easement having been delegated or assigned to a non-Federal entity;

(C)

any requirement under State law for re-recordation or renewal of the easement; or

(D)

any future disestablishment of a Forest Legacy Program area or other Federal project for which the conservation easement was originally acquired.

(3)

Construction

(l)

Optional State grants

(1)

In general

(2)

Administration

If a State elects to receive a grant under this subsection—

(A)

the Secretary shall use a portion of the funds made available under subsection (m), as determined by the Secretary, to provide a grant to the State; and

(B)

the State shall use the grant to carry out the Forest Legacy Program in the State, including the acquisition by the State of lands and interests in lands.

(3)

Transfer of Forest Legacy Program land—

(A)

In general

(B)

Requirements

In conveying land or an interest in land under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may require that—

(i)

the deed conveying the land or interest in land include requirements for the management of the land in a manner that—

(I)

conserves the land or interest in land; and

(II)

is consistent with any other Forest Legacy Program purposes for which the land or interest in land was acquired;

(ii)

if the land or interest in land is subsequently sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of by the State of Vermont, the State shall—

(I)

reimburse the Secretary in an amount that is based on the current market value of the land or interest in land in proportion to the amount of consideration paid by the United States for the land or interest in land; or

(II)

convey to the Secretary land or an interest in land that is equal in value to the land or interest in land conveyed.

(C)

Disposition of funds

(m)

Appropriation

(Pub. L. 95–313, § 7, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XII, § 1217, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3528; amended Pub. L. 102–237, title X, § 1018(a)(2), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1905; Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 374, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1015; Pub. L. 108–108, title III, § 336, Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1313.)

cite as: 16 USC 2103c