43 USC 1713 - Sales of public land tracts

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 1713.

Sales of public land tracts

(a)

Criteria for disposal; excepted lands

A tract of the public lands (except land in units of the National Wilderness Preservation System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems, and National System of Trails) may be sold under this Act where, as a result of land use planning required under section 1712 of this title, the Secretary determines that the sale of such tract meets the following disposal criteria:

(1)

such tract because of its location or other characteristics is difficult and uneconomic to manage as part of the public lands, and is not suitable for management by another Federal department or agency; or

(2)

such tract was acquired for a specific purpose and the tract is no longer required for that or any other Federal purpose; or

(3)

disposal of such tract will serve important public objectives, including but not limited to, expansion of communities and economic development, which cannot be achieved prudently or feasibly on land other than public land and which outweigh other public objectives and values, including, but not limited to, recreation and scenic values, which would be served by maintaining such tract in Federal ownership.

(b)

Conveyance of land of agricultural value and desert in character

(c)

Congressional approval procedures applicable to tracts in excess of two thousand five hundred acres

(d)

Sale price

(e)

Maximum size of tracts

(f)

Competitive bidding requirements

Sales of public lands under this section shall be conducted under competitive bidding procedures to be established by the Secretary. However, where the Secretary determines it necessary and proper in order (1) to assure equitable distribution among purchasers of lands, or (2) to recognize equitable considerations or public policies, including but not limited to, a preference to users, he may sell those lands with modified competitive bidding or without competitive bidding. In recognizing public policies, the Secretary shall give consideration to the following potential purchasers:

(1)

the State in which the land is located;

(2)

the local government entities in such State which are in the vicinity of the land;

(3)

adjoining landowners;

(4)

individuals; and

(5)

any other person.

(g)

Acceptance or rejection of offers to purchase

(Pub. L. 94–579, title II, § 203, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2750.)

cite as: 43 USC 1713