Public Law 81–239

That the United

International Boundary and Water Commission, U. S. section.

Transfer of land at Brownsville, Texas.

States section, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, is hereby authorized to accept by transfer without reimbursement or exchange of funds, and to assume permanent custody and control over, in connection with the lower Rio Grande flood control project under the jurisdiction of said United States section, that portion of Fort Brown at Brownsville, Texas, and adjacent borrow area, described as follows: Tract 1, Fort Brown.—A tract containing two hundred and forty-one and six one-hundredths acres in the Espiritu Santo grant in Cameron County, Texas, out of and a part of the Fort Brown military reservation as shown on map recorded in volume 8, page 23, of the map records of Cameron County, Texas. Tract 2, Borrow Area.—A tract containing seventeen and four-tenths acres in share numbered 19 of the Espiritu Santo grant, Cameron County, Texas, conveyed to the United States of America by deed from Carrie M. Combe, individually and as independent executrix of the estate of Frederick J. Combe, deceased, recorded in volume 322, page 352, of the deed records of Cameron County, Texas; both of said tracts being shown on drawing numbered 4311–RC–12, San Benito, Texas, January 15, 1947, of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, United States section, designated “Flood Control Project—Lower Rio Grande, Texas—Fort Brown Military Reservation”, and on field notes attached thereto, which drawing and field notes are on file with said United States section and with the War Assets Administration, said property having heretofore been declared surplus to the War Assets Administration; and the War Assets Administration, or other Federal agency in responsible charge, is authorized and directed to transfer said property to the said United States section without reimbursement or exchange of funds.

Sec. 2.

There shall likewise be transferred to said United States

Transfer of building.

section, in connection with the transfer of said land, that certain building thereon situate, known and numbered as warehouse building 252.

Sec. 3.

The improvements on said land, except warehouse building

Sale of improvements.

252, may be sold by the War Assets Administration under its existing authority, for use on the premises where now situated, subject to the provision that such use shall be in conformity with the terms and conditions of licenses to be issued therefor by the Secretary of State under the authority of the Act of August 27, 1935 (49 Stat. 906; 22 U. S. C., sec. 277e): Provided, That such licenses shall not be inconsistent with the primary purpose of flood control and the use of said land as a floodway, as determined by the Secretary of State. Any such improvements not sold for use on the premises may be sold by the War Assets Administration for removal from the premises within one year from the date of sale. To the extent that any such improvements are not sold under the provisions hereof within a period of one year from the effective date of this Act, title thereto shall remain in the United States, and jurisdiction and control thereover shall vest in the said United States section.

Sec. 4.

The Secretary of State shall, in order to assure beneficial

Granting of licenses.

public use of this land not inconsistent with the primary purpose of flood control, grant a license or licenses to the city of Brownsville, Texas, under the authority of the Act of August 27, 1935, to use

49 Stat. 906.

22 U. S. C. § 277e.

portions of the lands transferred to the United States section under this Act for municipal parks, golf course, museums, athletic fields, including stadiums, and other public purposes not inconsistent with the primary purpose of flood control and with the use of said land as a floodway, as determined by the Secretary of State and subject to such terms and conditions as may, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, be necessary to protect the interests of the United States: Provided, That application is made by the city of Brownsville for

Time limitation.

such license or licenses within a period of one year from the effective date of this Act: Provided further, That such license or licenses shall not be inconsistent with those granted under section 3 hereof for the use of the improvements therein specified: Provided further, That except for this provision granting to the city of Brownsville a preferential right for one year to be granted a license or licenses, nothing in this section shall be construed as modifying or impairing the authority of the Secretary of State over said lands under said Act of August 27, 1935.