# 43 U.S.C. § 1715: Acquisitions of public lands and access over non-Federal lands to National Forest System units

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1715

## Section

- **Citation:** 43 U.S.C. § 1715
- **Heading:** Acquisitions of public lands and access over non-Federal lands to National Forest System units
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** April 17, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 43—PUBLIC LANDS > CHAPTER 35—FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT > SUBCHAPTER II—LAND USE PLANNING AND LAND ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION

## Text

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Secretary, with respect to the public lands and the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to the acquisition of access over non-Federal lands to units of the National Forest System, are authorized to acquire pursuant to this Act by purchase, exchange, donation, or eminent domain, lands or interests therein: Provided , That with respect to the public lands, the Secretary may exercise the power of eminent domain only if necessary to secure access to public lands, and then only if the lands so acquired are confined to as narrow a corridor as is necessary to serve such purpose. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as expanding or limiting the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire land by eminent domain within the boundaries of units of the National Forest System.

( Pub. L. 94–579, title II, § 205 , Oct. 21, 1976 , 90 Stat. 2755 ; Pub. L. 99–632, § 5 , Nov. 7, 1986 , 100 Stat. 3521 .)

## Nearby sections

- [43 U.S.C. § 1701 Congressional declaration of policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1701.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1702 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1702.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1703 Repealed. Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 315(a) , Jan. 4, 2025 , 138 Stat. 2903](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1703.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1711 Continuing inventory and identification of public lands; preparation and maintenance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1711.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1712 Land use plans](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1712.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1713 Sales of public land tracts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1713.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1714 Withdrawals of lands](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1714.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1715 Acquisitions of public lands and access over non-Federal lands to National Forest System units](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1715.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1716 Exchanges of public lands or interests therein within the National Forest System](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1716.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1717 Qualifications of conveyees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1717.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1718 Documents of conveyance; terms, covenants, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1718.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1719 Mineral interests; reservation and conveyance requirements and procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1719.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1720 Coordination by Secretary of the Interior with State and local governments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1720.md)
- [43 U.S.C. § 1721 Conveyances of public lands to States, local governments, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1721.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t43_s1715. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.