§ 478a. — Townsites.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC478a]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 2--NATIONAL FORESTS
SUBCHAPTER I--ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 478a. Townsites
When the Secretary of Agriculture determines that a tract of
National Forest System land in Alaska or in the eleven contiguous
Western States is located adjacent to or contiguous to an established
community, and that transfer of such land would serve indigenous
community objectives that outweigh the public objectives and values
which would be served by maintaining such tract in Federal ownership, he
may, upon application, set aside and designate as a townsite an area of
not to exceed six hundred and forty acres of National Forest System land
for any one application. After public notice, and satisfactory showing
of need therefor by any county, city, or other local governmental
subdivision, the Secretary may offer such area for sale to a
governmental subdivision at a price not less than the fair market value
thereof: Provided, however, That the Secretary may condition conveyances
of townsites upon the enactment, maintenance, and enforcement of a valid
ordinance which assures any land so conveyed will be controlled by the
governmental subdivision so that use of the area will not interfere with
the protection, management, and development of adjacent or contiguous
National Forest System lands.
(Pub. L. 85-569, July 31, 1958, 72 Stat. 438; Pub. L. 94-579, title II,
Sec. 213, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2760.)
Codification
Section is also set out as section 1012a of Title 7, Agriculture.
Amendments
1976--Pub. L. 94-579 substituted provisions setting forth the
procedures applicable to designation of townsites of tracts of National
Forest System lands in Alaska or the eleven contiguous Western States
for provisions setting forth the procedures applicable to designation of
townsites from any national forest lands or lands administered by the
Secretary of Agriculture under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act.
Savings Provision
Amendment by Pub. L. 94-579 not to be construed as terminating any
valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976, see note
set out under section 1701 of Title 43, Public Lands.
