Collapse to view only § 79b. Park area
- § 79a. Establishment; statement of purposes
- § 79b. Park area
- § 79c. Acquisition of land
- § 79c-1. Vesting in United States of all right, title, etc., in real property and down tree personal property in additional lands; effective date; authorization of appropriations
- § 79d. Acquisition of lands
- § 79e. Exchange of property; cash equalization payments; commercial operations, minimum economic dislocation and disruption
- § 79f. Transfer of property from Federal agency to administrative jurisdiction of Secretary
- § 79g. Contract authorization within prescribed cost limits; installments: duration, interest; provisions for payment of judgments and compromise settlements applicable to judgments against United States
- § 79h. Memorial groves named for benefactors
- § 79i. Administration
- § 79j. Authorization of appropriations
- § 79k. Mitigation of adverse economic impacts to local economy resulting from additional lands; analysis of Federal actions necessary or desirable; consultations and considerations by Secretaries concerned; reports to Congress; implementation of programs; funding requirements
- § 79l. Employment of personnel for rehabilitation, protection, and improvements of additional lands
- § 79m. Annual reporting requirements; contents; comprehensive general management plan; submission date and scope
- § 79n.
- § 79o. Repealed.
- § 79p. Community services and employment opportunities of Redwoods United, Inc. to be maintained at present rate of employment
- § 79q. Pledge of full faith and credit of United States for payment of compensation for lands, etc., taken
In order to preserve significant examples of the primeval coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests and the streams and seashores with which they are associated for purposes of public inspiration, enjoyment, and scientific study, there is hereby established a Redwood National Park in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, California.
The Secretary is authorized to acquire all or part of existing publicly owned highways and roads within the boundaries of the park as he may deem necessary for park purposes. Until such highways and roads have been acquired, the Secretary may cooperate with appropriate State and local officials in patroling 2
Within the area outside the boundaries of Redwood National Park indicated as the “Park Protection Zone” on the map entitled “Proposed Additions, Redwood National Park, California”, numbered 167–80005–D and dated March 1978, the Secretary is authorized to acquire lands and interests in land: Provided, That lands may be acquired from a willing seller or upon a finding by the Secretary that failure to acquire all or a portion of such lands could result in physical damage to park resources and following notice to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. Any lands so acquired shall be managed in a manner which will maximize the protection of the resources of Redwood National Park, and in accordance with the Act of October 21, 1976 (90 Stat. 2743) [43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.]. Acquisition of a parcel of land under the authority of this subsection shall not as a result of such acquisition diminish the right of owners of adjacent lands to the peaceful use and enjoyment of their land and shall not confer authority upon the Secretary to acquire additional lands except as provided in this subsection.
The Secretary is authorized to acquire lands and interests in land within the boundaries of the Redwood National Park and, in addition thereto, not more than ten acres outside of those boundaries for an administrative site or sites. Such acquisition may be by donation, purchase with appropriated or donated funds, exchange, or otherwise, but lands and interests in land owned by the State of California may be acquired only by donation which donation of lands or interest in lands may be accepted in the discretion of the Secretary subject to such preexisting reverters and other conditions as may appear in the title to these lands held by the State of California, and such other reverters and conditions as may be consistent with the use and management of the donated lands as a portion of Redwood National Park. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may expend appropriated funds for the management of and for the construction, design, and maintenance of permanent improvements on such lands and interests in land as are donated by the State of California in a manner not inconsistent with such reverters and other conditions.
Down tree personal property severed subsequent to December 31, 1974, and prior to February 1, 1978 may be removed in accordance with applicable State and Federal law, or other applicable licenses, permits, and existing agreements, unless the Secretary determines that the removal of such down timber would damage second growth resources or result in excessive sedimentation in Redwood Creek: Provided, however, That down timber lying in stream beds may not be removed without permission of the Secretary: Provided, That such removal shall also be subject to such reasonable conditions as may be required by the Secretary to insure the continued availability of raw materials to Redwoods United, Incorporated, a nonprofit corporation located in Manila, California.
The Secretary shall permit, at existing levels and extent of access and use, continued access and use of each acquired segment of the B line, L line, M line, and K and K roads by each current affected woods employer or its successor in title and interest: Provided, That such use is limited to forest and land management and protection purposes, including timber harvesting and road maintenance. The Secretary shall permit, at existing levels and extent of access and use, continued access and use of acquired portions of the Bald Hills road by each current affected woods employer or its successor in title and interest: Provided further, That nothing in this sentence shall diminish the authority of the Secretary to otherwise regulate the use of the Bald Hills road.
If any individual tract or parcel of land acquired is partly inside and partly outside the boundaries of the park or the administrative site the Secretary may, in order to minimize the payment of severance damages, acquire the whole of the tract or parcel and exchange that part of it which is outside the boundaries for land or interests in land inside the boundaries or for other land or interests in land acquired pursuant to this subchapter, and dispose of so much thereof as is not so utilized in accordance with the provisions of chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41. The cost of any land so acquired and disposed of shall not be charged against the limitation on authorized appropriations contained in section 79j of this title.
The Secretary is further authorized to acquire, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, lands and interests in land bordering both sides of the highway between the present southern boundary of Prairie Creek Redwood State Park and a point on Redwood Creek near the town of Orick to a depth sufficient to maintain or to restore a screen of trees between the highway and the land behind the screen and the activities conducted thereon.
In order to afford as full protection as is reasonably possible to the timber, soil, and streams within the boundaries of the park, the Secretary is authorized, by any of the means set out in subsections (a) and (c) of this section, to acquire interests in land from, and to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, the owners of land on the periphery of the park and on watersheds tributary to streams within the park designed to assure that the consequences of forestry management, timbering, land use, and soil conservation practices conducted thereon, or of the lack of such practices, will not adversely affect the timber, soil, and streams within the park as aforesaid. As used in this subsection, the term “interests in land” does not include fee title unless the Secretary finds that the cost of a necessary less-than-fee interest would be disproportionately high as compared with the estimated cost of the fee. No acquisition other than by donation shall be effectuated and no contract or cooperative agreement shall be executed by the Secretary pursuant to the provisions of this subsection until after he has notified the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of his intended action and of the costs and benefits to the United States involved therein. Effective on March 27, 1978, there are made available from the amounts provided in section 79j of this title or as may be hereafter provided such sums as may be necessary for the acquisition of interests in land. Effective on October 1, 1978, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of contracts and cooperative agreements pursuant to this subsection: Provided, That it is the express intent of Congress that the Secretary shall to the greatest degree possible insure that such contracts and cooperative agreements provide for the maximum retention of senior employees by such owners and for their utilization in rehabilitation and other efforts. The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, is further authorized, pursuant to contract or cooperative agreement with agencies of the Federal Executive, the State of California, any political or governmental subdivision thereof, any corporation, not-for-profit corporation, private entity or person, to initiate, provide funds, equipment, and personnel for the development and implementation of a program for the rehabilitation of areas within and upstream from the park contributing significant sedimentation because of past logging disturbances and road conditions, and, to the extent feasible, to reduce risk of damage to streamside areas adjacent to Redwood Creek and for other reasons: Provided further, That authority to make payments under this subsection shall be effective only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Such contracts or cooperative agreements shall be subject to such other conditions as the Secretary may determine necessary to assure the adequate protection of Redwood National Park generally, and to provide employment opportunities to those individuals affected by this taking and to contribute to the economic revival of Del Norte and Humboldt Counties in northern California. The Secretary shall undertake and publish studies on erosion and sedimentation originating within the hydrographic basin of Redwood Creek with particular effort to identify sources and causes, including differentiation between natural and man-aggravated conditions, and shall adapt his general management plan to benefit from the results of such studies. The Secretary, or the Secretary of Agriculture, where appropriate, shall also manage any additional Federal lands under his jurisdiction that are within the hydrographic basin of Redwood Creek in a manner which will minimize sedimentation which could affect the park, and in coordination with plans for sediment management within the basin. To effectuate the provisions of this subsection, and to further develop scientific and professional information and data concerning the Redwood Forest ecosystem, and the various factors that may affect it, the Secretary may authorize access to the area subject to this subsection by designated representatives of the United States.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Act of October 2, 1968 [16 U.S.C. 79a et seq.], the vesting in the United States of all right, title, and interest in, and the right to immediate possession of, all real property and all down tree personal property within the area indicated as “Proposed Additions” on the map entitled “Additional Lands, Redwood National Park, California,” numbered 167–80005–D and dated March 1978, as established by section 79c(b)(1) of this title, shall be effective on March 27, 1978. The provisions of section 79c(b)(3) of this title shall also relate to the effective date of this section. From the appropriations authorized for fiscal year 1978 and succeeding fiscal years such sums as may be necessary may be expended for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands, and down tree personal property, authorized to be acquired, or acquired, pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
The owner of improved property on the date of its acquisition by the Secretary under this subchapter may, as a condition of such acquisition, retain for himself and his heirs and assigns a right of use and occupancy of the improved property for noncommercial residential purposes for a definite term of not more than twenty-five years or, in lieu thereof, for a term ending at the death of the owner or the death of his spouse, whichever is later. The owner shall elect the term to be reserved. Unless the property is wholly or partially donated to the United States, the Secretary shall pay the owner the fair market value of the property on the date of acquisition minus the fair market value on that date of the right retained by the owner. A right retained pursuant to this section shall be subject to termination by the Secretary upon his determination that it is being exercised in a manner inconsistent with the purpose of this subchapter, and it shall terminate by operation of law upon the Secretary’s notifying the holder of the right of such determination and tendering to him an amount equal to the fair market value of that portion of the right which remains unexpired.
The term “improved property”, as used in this section, means a detached, noncommercial residential dwelling, the construction of which was begun before October 9, 1967, together with so much of the land on which the dwelling is situated, the said land being in the same ownership as the dwelling, as the Secretary shall designate to be reasonably necessary for the enjoyment of the dwelling for the sole purpose of noncommercial residential use, together with any structures accessory to the dwelling which are situated on the land so designated.
The Secretary shall have, with respect to any real property acquired by him in sections 5 and 8, township 13 north, range 1 east, Humboldt meridian, authority to sell or lease the same to the former owner under such conditions and restrictions as will assure that it is not utilized in a manner or for purposes inconsistent with the national park.
In exercising his authority to acquire property by exchange, the Secretary may accept title to any non-Federal property within the boundaries of the park, and outside of such boundaries within the limits prescribed in this subchapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may acquire such property from the grantor by exchange for any federally owned property under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management in California, except property needed for public use and management, which he classifies as suitable for exchange or other disposal, or any federally owned property he may designate within the Northern Redwood Purchase Unit in Del Norte County, California, except that section known and designated as the Yurok Experimental Forest, consisting of approximately nine hundred and thirty-five acres. Such federally owned property shall also be available for use by the Secretary in lieu of, or together with, cash in payment of just compensation for any real property taken pursuant to section 79c(b) of this title. The values of the properties so exchanged either shall be approximately equal or, if they are not approximately equal, the value shall be equalized by the payment of cash to the grantor or to the Secretary as the circumstances require. Through the exercise of his exchange authority, the Secretary shall, to the extent possible, minimize economic dislocation and the disruption of the grantor’s commercial operations.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any Federal property located within any of the areas described in sections 79b and 79c of this title may, with the concurrence of the head of the agency having custody thereof, be transferred without consideration to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for use by him in carrying out the provisions of this subchapter.
The present practice of the California Department of Parks and Recreation of maintaining memorial groves of redwood trees named for benefactors of the State redwood parks shall be continued by the Secretary in the Redwood National Park.
The Secretary shall administer the Redwood National Park in accordance with the provisions of the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535, 16 U.S.C. 1–4),1
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated $92,000,000 for land acquisition to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.
In order to utilize the skills of individuals presently working in the woods and in the mills to the greatest degree possible to both ease the personal economic effects of this taking, and to assist in the necessary rehabilitation, protection, and improvement of lands acquired by this Act through implementation of sound rehabilitation and land use practices, the Secretary shall have power to appoint and fix the compensation of seven full-time and thirty-one temporary personnel to assist in carrying out such programs necessary for the protection and enhancement of Redwood National Park.
In order to effectively administer the expanded Redwood National Park created by this Act in a manner that will provide maximum protection to its resources and to provide for maximum visitor use and enjoyment to ease the local economic effects of this taking, the Secretary shall have power to appoint and fix the compensation of two full-time and twenty temporary employees in the competitive service. The Secretary shall further have power to appoint and fix the compensation of an additional thirty-two full-time and forty temporary employees in the competitive service as provided by this subsection at the time of the donation of those park lands or interests in land owned by the State of California as are within the boundaries of Redwood National Park as provided herein. In filling these positions, preference shall be given to those State employees affected by this transfer for a period not to exceed six years from the date of transfer; permanent State civil service employees shall be provided the opportunity to transfer to a comparable Federal civil service classification notwithstanding applicable civil service laws and regulations.
An affected employee shall be given full consideration for certain civilian jobs as provided in this section both with the Federal Government and with those private employers that have certain undertakings or programs that involve Federal participation or approval for the period beginning on March 27, 1978, and ending September 30, 1984, if the positions will be primarily located in Humboldt or Del Norte Counties or other counties in California adjacent thereto, and if the employee is otherwise qualified under this section.
The Secretary is directed to seek and authorized to enter into agreements with affected employers and industry employers providing that full consideration shall be given with respect to the employment of affected employees who had been employed by affected employers in jobs that may become available in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties and other counties adjacent thereto. The execution and carrying out of such an agreement, or the giving of full consideration to the employment of affected employees under subsection (c) of this section, shall not subject an employer to any additional liability or obligations under any Federal or State equal employment law, rule, regulation, or order.
An employee, a group of employees, a certified or recognized union, or an authorized representative of such employee or group, aggrieved by any determination by the Secretary under this Act shall be entitled to judicial review of such determination in the same manner and under the same conditions as provided by section 2395 of title 19, except that such review shall be in the appropriate court of appeals of the United States, and the judgment of such court shall be subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in section 1254 of title 28.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any additional or alternative rights under a law, regulation, or contract (including, but not limited to, veteran preference and contracts between private employers and unions) in effect as of March 27, 1978, and the implementation of this section shall be carried out in accord with applicable civil service laws and regulations except as otherwise provided for in this section. Employees appointed to Federal jobs pursuant to this section shall have their compensation fixed at rates not to exceed that now or hereafter prescribed for the highest rate of grade 15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5.
Effective on October 1, 1978, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated $33,000,000 to carry out the rehabilitation provisions of this Act.
The Secretary is further authorized, and the Congress specifically directs that it shall be a purpose of this Act, that the community services and employment opportunities provided by Redwoods United, Incorporated, a nonprofit corporation located in Manila, California, shall be maintained at the present rate of employment to the greatest degree practicable.
The Congress further acknowledges and directs that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the prompt payment of just compensation as provided for by the fifth amendment to the Constitution of the United States for those lands and properties taken by this Act.