Collapse to view only § 460rrr-3. Powers of the Commission
- § 460rrr. Definitions
- § 460rrr-1. Establishment of Rio Grande Natural Area
- § 460rrr-2. Establishment of the Commission
- § 460rrr-3. Powers of the Commission
- § 460rrr-4. Management plan
- § 460rrr-5. Administration of Natural Area
- § 460rrr-6. Effect
- § 460rrr-7. Authorization of appropriations
- § 460rrr-8. Termination of Commission
The term “Commission” means the Rio Grande Natural Area Commission established by section 460rrr–2(a) of this title.
The term “Natural Area” means the Rio Grande Natural Area established by section 460rrr–1(a) of this title.
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.
There is established the Rio Grande Natural Area in the State of Colorado to conserve, restore, and protect the natural, historic, cultural, scientific, scenic, wildlife, and recreational resources of the Natural Area.
The Natural Area shall include the Rio Grande River from the southern boundary of the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge to the New Mexico State border, extending ¼ mile on either side of the bank of the River.
As soon as practicable after October 12, 2006, the Secretary shall prepare a map and legal description of the Natural Area.
The map and legal description of the Natural Area shall have the same force and effect as if included in this subchapter, except that the Secretary may correct any minor errors in the map and legal description.
The map and legal description of the Natural Area shall be available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.
There is established the Rio Grande Natural Area Commission.
Except for the manager of the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, the term of office of a member of the Commission shall be 5 years.
A member may be reappointed to the Commission on completion of the term of office of the member.
A member of the Commission shall serve without compensation for service on the Commission.
The Commission shall elect a chairperson of the Commission.
The Commission shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chairperson.
A meeting of the Commission shall be open to the public.
Notice of any meeting of the Commission shall be published in advance of the meeting.
The Secretary and the heads of other Federal agencies shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide any information and technical services requested by the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission.
The Commission may hold such hearings, meet and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this subchapter.
For purposes of carrying out the management plan on non-Federal land in the Natural Area, the Commission may enter into a cooperative agreement with the State of Colorado, a political subdivision of the State, or any person.
A cooperative agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall establish procedures for providing notice to the Commission of any action proposed by the State of Colorado, a political subdivision of the State, or any person that may affect the implementation of the management plan on non-Federal land in the Natural Area.
A cooperative agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall not enlarge or diminish any right or duty of a Federal agency under Federal law.
The Commission may not acquire any real property or interest in real property.
The Commission shall assist the Secretary in implementing the management plan by carrying out the activities described in paragraph (2) to preserve and interpret the natural, historic, cultural, scientific, scenic, wildlife, and recreational resources of the Natural Area.
Not later than 4 years after October 12, 2006, the Secretary and the Commission, in coordination with appropriate agencies in the State of Colorado, political subdivisions of the State, and private landowners in the Natural Area, shall prepare management plans for the Natural Area as provided in subsection (b).
The Secretary shall prepare a management plan relating to the management of Federal land in the Natural Area.
The Commission shall prepare a management plan relating to the management of the non-Federal land in the Natural Area.
The Commission shall submit to the Secretary the management plan prepared under subparagraph (A) for approval or disapproval.
The Secretary and the Commission shall cooperate to ensure that the management plans relating to the management of Federal land and non-Federal land are consistent.
The Secretary shall publish notice of the management plans in the Federal Register.
The Secretary is encouraged to negotiate with the State of Colorado, the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, and affected water users in the State to determine if changes in the streamflow that are beneficial to the Natural Area may be accommodated.
The management plan prepared under section 460rrr–4(b)(2)(A) of this title shall apply to private land in the Natural Area only to the extent that the private landowner agrees in writing to be bound by the management plan.
The Secretary may acquire from willing sellers by purchase, exchange, or donation land or an interest in land in the Natural Area.
Section 1276(d)(1) of this title shall not apply to the Natural Area.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subchapter.
The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after October 12, 2006.