§8124. Grant of easements in Government-owned lands

The Secretary, whenever the Secretary deems it advantageous to the Government and upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems advisable, may grant on behalf of the United States to any State, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or to any public-service company, easements in and rights-of-way over lands belonging to the United States which are under the Secretary's supervision and control. Such grant may include the use of such easements or rights-of-way by public utilities to the extent authorized and under the conditions imposed by the laws of such State relating to use of public highways. Such partial, concurrent, or exclusive jurisdiction over the areas covered by such easements or rights-of-way, as the Secretary deems necessary or desirable, is hereby ceded to the State in which the land is located. The Secretary may accept or secure on behalf of the United States from the State in which is situated any land conveyed in exchange for any such easement or right-of-way, such jurisdiction as the Secretary may deem necessary or desirable over the land so acquired. Any such easement or right-of-way shall be terminated upon abandonment or nonuse of the same and all right, title, and interest in the land covered thereby shall thereupon revert to the United States or its assignee.

( Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1254 , §5014; amended Pub. L. 94–581, title II, §210(e)(9), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2865 ; renumbered §5024, Pub. L. 96–22, title III, §301(b)(1), June 13, 1979, 93 Stat. 61 ; renumbered §8124, Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238 ; Pub. L. 102–83, §4(b)(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404 , 405.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991-Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 5024 of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83 substituted "Secretary" for "Administrator" wherever appearing and "Secretary's" for "Administrator's".

1976-Pub. L. 94–581 substituted "the Administrator" for "he" wherever appearing and "under the Administrator's supervision" for "under his supervision".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–581 effective Oct. 21, 1976, see section 211 of Pub. L. 94–581, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.