Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 2.djvu/802

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PUBLIC LAW 100-000—MMMM. DD, 1988

102 STAT. 1806

Classified information.

Conservation.

Reports.

Contracts. State and local governments.

PUBLIC LAW 100-446—SEPT. 27, 1988

tion such rights-of-way, easements and other outstanding rights deemed unacceptable to the Secretary, and may also exclude from acquisition any small or isolated parcels which the Secretary deems are not maneigeable for Federal purposes. It is the intent of Congress that these acquisitions be completed prior to October 15, 1988. SEC. 2. (a) To the extend deemed practical by the Secretary in furtherance of this Act, the Secretary shall cooperate and assist ongoing and future initiatives by State and private organizations (hereafter "cooperating entity(ies)" to acquire the Diamond lands. Cooperating entities include, but are not limited to, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, The Nature Conservancy, and the State of New Hampshire or instrumentality thereof. (b) Any information provided the Secretary by any cooperating entity relating to the study and acquisition of lands shall be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). SEC. 3. Subject to the availability of donated and appropriated funds, if by October 1, 1988, the Secretary or a cooperating entity has not acquired title or a land purchase option or contract to purchase the lands referenced in section 1, less any exclusions, the Secretary is directed to condemn such lands, or portions thereof, commensurate with available funds. Condemnation shall be as soon as possible after October 1, 1988, by a declaration of taking filed in accordance with the Act of February 26, 1931 (40 U.S.C. 258a, as amended). Nothing herein shall preclude filing of a condemnation action at any time if the Secretary deems further negotiations for the acquisition of the Diamond lands to be futile or if the condemnation is for the purpose of clearing title. No Congressional oversight or approval shall be required for the filing of a declaration of taking or any other aspect of the land acquisitions herein authorized, it being the intent of the Congress that the Diamond lands be acquired as soon as practicable. SEC. 4. All lands acquired by the Secretary under authority of or pursuant to this Act shall be administered under the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911 (36 Stat. 961, as amended). For lands acquired by the United States located outside of and not contiguous to national forest boundaries existing as of the date of this Act, the primary management emphasis shall be the sustained yield of forest products consistent with the traditional uses, including public access, and conservation of other resource values. Within two years from the date lands are acquired pursuant to this Act, the Secretary shall report to Congress with recommendations for the permanent administration and disposition of such federally-owned lands. SEC. 5. In furtherance of the public purposes associated with the present and future protection and management of the timber, scenic, natural, recreation and other resources of forest lands in New Hampshire, and for other similar purposes as may be authorized by Congress, the Secretary may enter into written cooperative agreements with States and their political subdivisions, and private organizations, for the study, acquisition, management and administration of forest lands. Such agreements may include provisions for limited financial assistance for such purposes. SEC. 6. Of the amount provided herein, $5,250,000 shall be available from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, to remain available until expended, for the acquisition of lands and interests therein, and associated administrative costs.