Development on public and private lands within the boundaries of the Cooperative Management and Protection Area which is different from the current character and uses of the lands is inconsistent with the purposes of this subchapter.

The Secretary may enter into a nondevelopment easement or conservation easement with willing landowners to further the purposes of this subchapter.

The Secretary may provide technical assistance, cost-share payments, incentive payments, and education to a private landowner in the Cooperative Management and Protection Area who enters into a contract with the Secretary to protect or enhance ecological resources on the private land covered by the contract if those protections or enhancements benefit public lands.

Nothing in this subchapter is intended to affect rights or interests in real property or supersede State law.

(Pub. L. 106–399, title I, § 122, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1664.)