Exchanges of public lands or interests therein within the National Forest System

A tract of public land or interests therein may be disposed of by exchange by the Secretary under this Act and a tract of land or interests therein within the National Forest System may be disposed of by exchange by the Secretary of Agriculture under applicable law where the Secretary concerned determines that the public interest will be well served by making that exchange: Provided , That when considering public interest the Secretary concerned shall give full consideration to better Federal land management and the needs of State and local people, including needs for lands for the economy, community expansion, recreation areas, food, fiber, minerals, and fish and wildlife and the Secretary concerned finds that the values and the objectives which Federal lands or interests to be conveyed may serve if retained in Federal ownership are not more than the values of the non-Federal lands or interests and the public objectives they could serve if acquired.

( Pub. L. 94–579, title II, § 206 , Oct. 21, 1976 , 90 Stat. 2756 ; Pub. L. 100–409 , §§ 3, 9, Aug. 20, 1988 , 102 Stat. 1087 , 1092.)