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23 C.F.R. § 710.501   Early acquisition.

Title 23 - Highways

Title 23: Highways
PART 710—RIGHT-OF-WAY AND REAL ESTATE
Subpart E—Property Acquisition Alternatives

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§ 710.501   Early acquisition.

(a) Real property acquisition. The State may initiate acquisition of real property at any time it has the legal authority to do so based on program or project considerations. The State may undertake early acquisition for corridor preservation, access management, or other purposes.

(b) Eligible costs. Acquisition costs incurred by a State agency prior to executing a project agreement with the FHWA are not eligible for Federal-aid reimbursement. However, such costs may become eligible for use as a credit towards the State's share of a Federal-aid project if the following conditions are met:

(1) The property was lawfully obtained by the State;

(2) The property was not land described in 23 U.S.C. 138;

(3) The property was acquired in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR part 24;

(4) The State complied with the requirements of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d–2000d–4);

(5) The State determined and the FHWA concurs that the action taken did not influence the environmental assessment for the project, including:

(i) The decision on need to construct the project;

(ii) The consideration of alternatives; and

(iii) The selection of the design or location; and

(6) The property will be incorporated into a Federal-aid project.

(7) The original project agreement covering the project was executed on or after June 9, 1998.

(c) Reimbursement. In addition to meeting all provisions in paragraph (b) of this section, the FHWA approval for reimbursement for early acquisition costs, including costs associated with displacement of owners or tenants, requires the STD to demonstrate that:

(1) Prior to acquisition, the STD made the certifications and determinations required by 23 U.S.C. 108(c)(2)(C) and (D); and

(2) The STD obtained concurrence from the Environmental Protection Agency in the findings made under paragraph (b)(5) of this section regarding the NEPA process.

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