---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1223"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1223"
heading: "Agreements with States and subdivisions; equitable sharing of costs; development improvements; availability of appropriations; State hunting and fishing laws applicable"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1223"
units:
  - "Chapter 26 — Estuarine Areas"
---

# §1223. Agreements with States and subdivisions; equitable sharing of costs; development improvements; availability of appropriations; State hunting and fishing laws applicable


After the completion of the general study authorized by [section 1222 of this title](/usc/16/1222.md), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, with the approval of the President, may enter into an agreement, containing such terms and conditions as are mutually acceptable, with any [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or with a political [subdivision](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) or agency thereof (if the agreement with such [subdivision](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) or agency is first approved by the Governor of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) involved or by a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) agency designated for that purpose) for the permanent management, development, and administration of any [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), land, or interests therein within an estuary and adjacent lands which are owned or thereafter acquired by a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or by any political [subdivision](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) thereof: Provided, That, with the approval of the Governor of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) involved or of a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) agency designated for that purpose, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may also enter into such an agreement for any particular [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) whenever the segment of the general study applicable to that [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) is completed subject to the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of [section 1222 of this title](/usc/16/1222.md). Such agreement shall, among other things, provide that the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or a political [subdivision](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) or agency thereof and the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall share in an equitable manner in the cost of managing, administering, and developing such [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), and such development may include the construction, operation, installation, and maintenance of buildings, devices, structures, recreational facilities, access roads, and other improvements, and such agreement shall be subject to the availability of appropriations. [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) hunting and fishing laws and regulations shall be applicable to such [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) to the extent they are now or hereafter applicable.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–454, § 3, Aug. 3, 1968, 82 Stat. 627.)