Volume 77 · 819
Public Law 88–249
To revise the boundaries of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.
Approved December 30, 1963
Statutory text
AN ACT
To revise the boundaries of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That Carlsbad Caverns National Park situated in the State of New Mexico shall consist of the following described lands:
new mexico principal meridian, new mexico Township 24 south, range 23 east: south half section 35; section 36. Township 24 south, range 24 east: sections 25 to 29, inclusive; sections 31 to 36, inclusive. Township 24 south, range 25 east: south half southeast quarter section 19; south half south half section 20; south half south half section 21; southwest, quarter southwest quarter section 26; sections 27 to 33, inclusive; west half section 34: northwest quarter northeast quarter section 34. Township 25 south, range 22 east: sections 24,25,35, and 36. Township 25 south, range 23 east: sections 1 to 33, inclusive; northwest quarter section 34. Township 25 south, range 24 east: north half section 1; west half section 2,; northeast quarter section 2; sections 3 to 8, inclusive; west half section 9; northeast, quarter section 9; northwest quarter section 10; west half section 17; northeast quarter section 17; section 18; northwest quarter section 19. Township 25 south, range 25 east: north half section 5; north half section 6. Township 26 south, range 22 east: north half section 1; west half southwest quarter section 1; section 2; section 11; west half west half section 12; northwest quarter section 14. Township 26 south, range 23 east: northwest quarter section 6. All of which contains 46,786.11 acres, more or less. And the tract of land, including Rattlesnake Springs, lying in section 23, township 25 south, range 24 east, New Mexico principal meridian, acquired by the United States for water right, purposes by warranty deed dated January 23, 1934, recorded in Eddy County, New Mexico, records in deedbook 64 on page 97, containing 79.87 acres, more or less.
Sec. 2.
For the purpose of acquiring the State-owned lands lying within the area described in section 1 of this Act, consisting of 2.721.12 acres, and described as follows:
new mexico principal meridian, new mexico Township 24 south, range 23 east: section 36. Township 24 south, range 24 east: section 32. Township 24 south, range 25 east: section 32. Township 25 south, range 24 east: lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, south half north half, southwest quarter section 2. Township 26 south, range 22 east: south half section 2, the Secretary of the Interior may, subject to such terms, conditions, and reservations as may be necessary or are in the public interest, including the reservation of surface rights-of-way across Federal lands situated in township 25 south, range 24 east, New Mexico principal meridian, for the construction of roads and utility lines between park headquarters and Rattlesnake Springs, exchange the following described 2.719.80 acres of public land of approximately equal value:
new mexico principal meridian, new mexico Township 24 south, range 25 east: southeast quarter section 34. Township 25 south, range 24 east: south half section 1; west half section 11; west half section 14; section 15; southeast quarter section 17. Township 25 south, range 25 east: south half section 5; lot 6, northeast quarter southwest quarter, southeast quarter section 6. Township 26 south, range 22 east: west half west half section 13: north half northeast quarter section 14.
For the purpose of acquiring the private lands or interests in lands lying within the area, described in section 1 of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior may, subject to such terms, conditions, and reservations as may be necessary, exchange on an approximately equal value basis any of the following described lands:
new mexico principal meridian, new mexico Township 25 south, range 24 east: southeast quarter section 9: south half, northeast quarter section 10. Township 26 south, range 22 east: south half, south half northeast quarter section 14.
Notwithstanding section 2(a) of this Act, when an exchange involves lands in section 32, township 24 south, range 24 east, New Mexico principal meridian, which the State of New Mexico has leased, the Secretary may compensate a lessee for the reasonable value of his improvements to the lands. Reasonable value shall be determined by the Secretary of the Interior by obtaining an impartial appraisal.
Sec. 3.
The Secretary is authorized to convey to the State of New Mexico a right-of-way over lands between the western boundary of the southeast quarter of section 34. township 24 south, range 25 east, and the vicinity of the caverns for the use of the State in constructing a park-type road for public use thereon: Provided, That, the State may construct a road which shall meet the general standards of National Park Service roads and shall agree to reconvey its interests in such lands and any improvements thereon, without cost to the United States, upon completion of such road. The location of the road shall be determined by the Secretary, after consultation with officials of the State of New Mexico.
Sec. 4.
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated not more
Appropriation.
than $500 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Sec. 5.
Section 4 of the Act of May 14, 1930 (46 Stat. 279; 16 U.S.C.
Repeal.
107c), is repealed.
Approved December 30, 1963.