PUBLIC LAW 102-427—OCT. 21, 1992 106 STAT. 2181 merit of the general management plan for the Preserve by persons owning property in the vicinity of the Preserve, other interested groups and individuals, State, coun^, and mimicipal agencies, and the general public. Prior to final approval of the plan, the Secretary shall hold public meetings in DeKalb and Cherokee Coimties. (2) CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT.—In preparing and implementing the plan described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give full consideration to the views and comments of the individuals, groups, and agencies described in paragraph (1). (g) GREEN PITCHER PLANT.—Upon the transfer by Alabama Power Company to the United States of any lands within the boundaries of the Preserve that contain the Green Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia oreophila), all rights and obligations of Alabama Power Company under the agreement entered into between the company and the Department of the Interior (including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service) on May 12, 1983, in settlement of the action brought on September 24, 1980, against the Secretary and the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Civil Action No. CV 80 -C-1242 -M), shall be extinguished. SEC. 4. ACQUISITION. 16 USC 698s. (a) AUTHORIZATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.— Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary is authorized to acquire lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. (2) CONSENT OF THE OWNER. —The Secretary may not acquire lands, waters, or interests in lands and waters for the Preserve without the consent of the owner. (3) STATE LANDS. —Lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve that are owned by the State of Alabama, or any political subdivision of the State, may be acquired only by donation or exchange. (b) NEGOTIATIONS FOR ACQUISITION.— (1) COMMENCEMENT OF NEGOTIATIONS.— Immediately after publication of a description of the boundaries of the Preserve in accordance with section 2(d), the Secretary shall commence negotiations for the acquisition of the lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve. (2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit, in writing, a detailed schedule of actions and a progress report regarding the acquisition to— (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (C) the Committees on Appropriations of Congress. (3) ACQUISITION DEADLINE. —The Secretary shall substantially complete the acquisition of the lands, waters, and interests in lands and waters within the Preserve, in accordance with the purposes of this Act, not later than 2 years after
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