Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 110 Part 1.djvu/624

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110 STAT. 600 PUBLIC LAW 104-106—FEB. 10, 1996 (2) consist of the real property so transferred and such other portions of the Arsenal subsequently transferred under section 2912(b) or 2916 or acquired under section 2914(d). (b) ADMINISTRATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary of Agriculture shall manage the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie as a part of the National Forest System in accordance with this title and the laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the National Forest System, except that the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937 (7 U.S.C. 1010-1012) shall not apply to the MNP. (2) INITIAL MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.— In order to expedite the administration and public use of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the Secretary of Agriculture may conduct management activities at the MNP to effectuate the purposes -^ for which the MNP is established, as set forth in subsection (c), in advance of the development of a land and resource management plan for the MNP. (3) LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN. —In developing a land and resource management plan for the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and local governments adjacent to the MNP and provide an opportunity for public comment. Any parcel transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture under this title after the development of a land and resource management plan for the MNP may be managed in accordance with such plan without need for an amendment to the plan. (c) PURPOSES OF THE MIDEWIN NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE.— The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is established to be managed for National Forest System purposes, including the following: (1) To manage the land and water resources of the MNP in a manner that will conserve and enhance the native populations and habitats of fish, wildlife, and plants. (2) To provide opportunities for scientific, environmental, and land use education and research. (3) To allow the continuation of agricultural uses of lands within the MNP consistent with section 2915(b). (4) To provide a variety of recreation opportunities that are not inconsistent with the preceding purposes. (d) OTHER LAND ACQUISITION FOR MNP. — (1) AVAILABILITY OF LAND ACQUISITION FUNDS.— Notwithstanding section 7 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460Z-9), the Secretary of Agriculture may use monies appropriated from the Land and Water Conservation Fund established under section 2 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 460Z-5) for the acquisition of lands and interests in land for inclusion in the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. (2) ACQUISITION OF LANDS.— The Secretary of Agriculture may acquire lands or interests therein for inclusion in the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie by donation, purchase, or exchange, except that the acquisition of private lands for inclusion in the MNP shall be on a willing seller basis only. (e) COOPERATION WITH STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER ENTITIES. — In the management of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and encouraged to cooperate with appropriate Federal, State and local governmental agencies, private organizations and corporations.