---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460tt"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460tt"
heading: "Cross Florida Barge Canal"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460tt"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter CV — Cross Florida National Conservation Area"
---

# §460tt. Cross Florida Barge Canal

- (a) **Deauthorization—** The barge canal [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “[project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4)”), as described in the Act of July 23, 1942 (56 Stat. 703), shall be deauthorized by operation of law immediately upon the Governor and Cabinet of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Florida adopting a resolution specifically agreeing on behalf of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Florida (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “[State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)”) to all of the terms of the agreement prescribed in [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Transfer of project lands—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) is, subject to the provisions of subsections [(d)](#d) and [(e)](#e), directed to transfer to the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) all lands and interests in lands acquired by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) and facilities completed for the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in [subsection (a)](#a), without consideration, if the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) agrees to each of the following:
  - (1) The [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall agree to hold the United States harmless from all claims arising from or through the operations of the lands and facilities conveyed by the United States.
  - (2) The [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall agree to [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) and maintain a greenway corridor which shall be open to the public for compatible recreation and conservation activities and which shall be continuous, except for [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of this paragraph, along the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) route over lands acquired by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) or by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Canal Authority, or lands acquired along the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) route in the future by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Canal Authority, to the maximum width possible, as determined in the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) to be developed by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) for former [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lands. Such greenway corridor shall not be less than 300 yards wide, except for the following [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A):
    - (A) Any [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) corridor where, as of November 28, 1990, no land is owned by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Canal Authority.
    - (B) Any [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) corridor where, as of November 28, 1990, the land owned by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Canal Authority is less than 300 yards wide.
    - (C) Any [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) corridor where a road or bridge crosses the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) corridor.
  - (3) Consistent with paragraph (2) of this subsection, the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall create a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) or conservation/recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the lands and interests in lands acquired for the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lying between the Atlantic Ocean and the western boundaries of sections 20 and 29, township 15 south, range 23 east.
  - (4) The [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall agree, consistent with paragraphs (2), (5) and (6) of this subsection, to [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2), enhance, interpret, and manage the water and related land resources of the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) containing cultural, [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17), scenic, and recreational values in the remaining lands and interests in land acquired for the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4), lying west of sections 20 and 29, township 15 south, range 23 east, as determined by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations of people and the development of outdoor recreation.
  - (5) The [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall agree to pay, from the assets of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Canal Authority and the Cross Florida Canal Navigation District, including revenues from the sale of former [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lands declared surplus by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), to the [counties](/usc/16/544.md?p=d) of Citrus, Clay, Duval, Levy, Marion, and Putnam a minimum aggregate sum of $32,000,000 in cash or, at the option of the [counties](/usc/16/544.md?p=d), payment to be made by conveyance of surplus former [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lands selected by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) at current appraised values.
  - (6) The [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall agree to provide that, after repayment of all sums due to the [counties](/usc/16/544.md?p=d) of Citrus, Clay, Duval, Levy, Marion, and Putnam, the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) may use any remaining funds generated from the sale of former [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lands declared surplus by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) the fee title to lands along the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) route as to which less than fee title was obtained, or to purchase privately owned lands, or easements over such privately owned lands, lying within the proposed [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) route, consistent with paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection, according to such priorities as are determined in the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) to be developed by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) for former [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lands. Any remaining funds generated from the sale of former [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lands declared surplus by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall be used for the improvement and management of the greenway corridor consistent with paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection.
- (c) **Enforcement—**
  - (1) **Remedies and jurisdiction—** The United States is directed to vigorously enforce the agreement referred to in subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) in the courts of the United States and shall be entitled to any remedies in equity or law, including, without limitation, injunctive relief. The court, in issuing any final order in any suit brought pursuant to this subsection, may, in its discretion, award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any prevailing party. The United States district courts shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction of any action under this subsection.
  - (2) **State remedies—** The [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall be entitled to the same remedies listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection in the courts of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or of the United States.
- (d) **Time of transfer—** Actual transfer of lands and management responsibilities under this section shall not occur on the constructed portions of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) lying between the Atlantic Ocean and the Eureka Lock and Dam, inclusive, and between the Gulf of Mexico and the Inglis Lock and Dam, inclusive, until the last day of the 24-month period beginning on November 28, 1990.
- (e) **Management pending transfer—** In the 24-month period following November 28, 1990, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall carry out any and all programmed maintenance on the portions of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) outlined in [subsection (d)](#d).
- (f) **Contract for continued O&M—**
  - (1) **In general—** During the period beginning on November 28, 1992, and ending on September 30, 1993, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) is authorized and directed to offer to enter into a contract with the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Southwest Florida Water Management District of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Florida for the continued operation and maintenance by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the portions of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) described in [subsection (d)](#d). The maintenance shall be performed at a level of service that is necessary to ensure safe operating conditions and to prevent deterioration of the structures. No major rehabilitations or renovations shall be performed by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) in such portions of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) during such period.
  - (2) **Funding—** Funding for the continued operation and maintenance of the barge canal [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) under this subsection shall not exceed $300,000. The [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Florida shall pay a non-Federal share of $600,000 to fund the continued maintenance of the portions of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) described in [subsection (d)](#d) in accordance with [paragraph (1)](#f-1).
- (g) **Survey—** The exact acreage and legal description of the real property to be transferred pursuant to this section shall be determined by a survey which is satisfactory to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) and to the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a). The cost of such survey shall be borne by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–662, title XI, § 1114, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4232; Pub. L. 101–640, title IV, § 402, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4644; Pub. L. 102–580, title I, § 102(e), Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4805.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Act of July 23, 1942, referred to in subsec. (a), is act July 23, 1942, ch. 520, 56 Stat. 703. See National Defense Pipe Lines note set out preceding section 715 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

### Amendments

1992—Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 102–580 added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).

1990—Pub. L. 101–640 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of subsecs. (a) to (i) which established the Cross Florida National Conservation Area, designated to it lands held for high-level barge canal project, required that certain portions of the barge canal project be operated and maintained for navigation, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement and for economic benefit of the region, provided for State of Florida to retain jurisdiction and responsibility over water resources planning, development, and control of surface and ground waters, required the Secretary to develop comprehensive management plan, directed operation of Rodman Dam to assure continuation of Lake Ocklawaha reservoir, required acquisition of lands held by Florida Canal Authority for barge canal project and lands held by State of Florida or Canal Authority which were acquired pursuant to section 104 of the River and Harbor Act of 1960, and set forth conditions for effectiveness of certain provisions.