---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460ooo–6"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460ooo–6"
heading: "Land acquisition"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460ooo-6"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter CXXVI — Las Cienegas National Conservation Area"
---

# §460ooo–6. Land acquisition

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) **Priority to conservation easements—** In acquiring lands or interest in lands under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) shall give priority to such [acquisitions](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) in the form of [conservation easements](/usc/16/460nnn.md?p=4-A).
  - (2) **Private lands—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) is authorized to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) privately held lands or interest in lands within the boundaries of the [Acquisition Planning District](/usc/16/460ooo.md?p=2) only from a willing seller through donation, exchange, or purchase.
  - (3) **County lands—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) is authorized to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) county lands or interest in lands within the boundaries of the [Acquisition Planning District](/usc/16/460ooo.md?p=2) only with the consent of the county through donation, exchange, or purchase.
  - (4) **State lands—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) is authorized to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) lands or interest in lands owned by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Arizona located within the boundaries of the [Acquisition Planning District](/usc/16/460ooo.md?p=2) only with the consent of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) and in accordance with [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) law, by donation, exchange, or purchase.
    - (B) **Consideration—** As consideration for the [acquisitions](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) by the United States of lands or interest in lands under this paragraph, the [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) shall pay fair market value for such lands or shall convey to the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Arizona all or some interest in [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) (including buildings and other improvements on such lands or other Federal property other than real property) or any other asset of equal value within the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Arizona.
    - (C) **Transfer of jurisdiction—** All Federal agencies are authorized to transfer jurisdiction of [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) or interest in lands (including buildings and other improvements on such lands or other Federal property other than real property) or any other asset within the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Arizona to the Bureau of Land Management for the purpose of acquiring lands or interest in lands as provided for in this paragraph.
- (b) **Management of acquired lands—** Lands acquired under this section shall, upon [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), become part of the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=2) and shall be administered as part of the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=2). These lands shall be managed in accordance with this subchapter, other applicable laws, and the [management plan](/usc/16/460nnn.md?p=6).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–538, § 7, Dec. 6, 2000, 114 Stat. 2567.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Land Exchange and Conservation in Arizona

For provisions relating to land exchange and conservation in southeastern Arizona, see section 539p of this title.