Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 78.djvu/650

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[78 STAT. 608]
PUBLIC LAW 88-000—MMMM. DD, 1964
[78 STAT. 608]

608

PUBLIC LAW 88-492-AUG. 27, 1964

[78 STAT.

Public Law 88-492 August 27, 1964 [S. 16]

Ozark National Scenic R i v e r w a y s, Mo. Establishment.

Acquisition of land, e t c.

AN ACT To provide for the establishment of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in the State of Missouri, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, for the purpose of conserving and interpreting unique scenic and other natural values and objects of historic interest, including preservation of portions of the Current River and the Jacks Fork River in Missouri as free-flowing streams, preservation of springs anH caves, management of wildlife, and provisions for use and enjoyment of the outdoor recreation resources thereof by the people of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary") shall designate for establishment as the Ozark National Scenic Riverways the area (hereinafter referred to as "such area") generally depicted on map numbered NR OZA 7002 entitled "Proposed Ozark National Rivers" dated December 1963 which map is on file for public inspection in the office of the National P a r k Service, Department of the Interior: Provided, That the area so designated shall not include more than sixty-five thousand acres of land now in private ownership and that no lands shall be designated within two miles of the present boundaries of the municipalities of Eminence and Van Buren, Missouri. The Secretary, with the concurrence of the State, shall designate for inclusion in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the lands composing Big Springs, Alley Springs, and Round Spring State Parks, and the Secretary is hereby directed to negotiate with the State for the donation and the inclusion of such park lands in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. SEC. 2. The Secretary may, within the area designated or altered pursuant to section 4, acquire lands and interests therein, including scenic easements, by such means as he may deem to be in the public interest: Provided, That scenic easements may only be acquired with the consent of the owner of the lands or waters thereof: And provided further, That any parcel of land containing not more than five hundred acres, which borders either the Current River or the Jacks Fork River, and which is being primarily used for agricultural purposes, shall be acquired by the Secretary in its entirety unless the owner of any such parcel consents to the acquisition of a part thereof. Property so acquired which lies outside the boundary generally depicted on the map referred to in section 1 of this Act may be exchanged by the Secretary for any land of approximately equal value within the boundaries. Lands and waters owned by the State of Missouri within such area may be acquired only with the consent of the State. Federally owned lands or waters lying within such area shall, upon establishment of the area pursuant to section 4 hereof, be transferred to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary, without transfer of funds, for administration as part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. SEC. 3. Any owner or owners, including beneficial owners (hereinafter in this section referred to as "owner"), of improved property on the date of its acquisition by the Secretary may, as a condition to such acquisition, retain the right of use and occupancy of the improved property for noncommercial residential purposes for a term ending at the death of such owner, or the death of his spouse, or at the death of the survivor of either of them. The owner shall elect the term to be reserved. The Secretary shall pay to the owner the fair market value of the property on the date of such acquisition less the fair market value on such date of the right retained by the owner.