Public Law 92–560

That this Act may be cited as the “Lower Saint Croix River Act of 1972”.

Sec. 2.

Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (82 Stat. 907; 16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

“(9)“(9)

Lower Saint Croix, Minnesota and Wisconsin.—

The segment between the dam near Taylors Falls and its confluence with the Mississippi River: Provided, (i) That the upper twenty-seven miles of this river segment shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior; and (ii) That the lower twenty-five miles shall be designated by the Secretary upon his approval of an application for such designation made by the Governors of the States of Minnesota and Wisconsin.”

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Sec. 3.

The Secretary of the Interior shall, within one year following the date of enactment of this Act, take, with respect to the Lower Saint Croix River segment, such action as is provided for under section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Provided, That (a) the action required by such section shall be undertaken jointly by the Secretary and the appropriate agencies of the affected States; (o) the development plan required by such section shall be construed to be a comprehensive master plan which shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the lands, waters, and interests therein to be acquired, developed, and administered by the agencies or political subdivisions of the affected States; and (c) such development plan shall provide for State administration of the lower twenty-five miles of the Lower Saint Croix River segment and for continued administration by the States of Minnesota and Wisconsin of such State parks and fish hatcheries as now lie within the twenty-seven-mile segment to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

Sec. 4.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act which limits acquisition authority within a river segment to be administered by a Federal agency, the States of Minnesota and Wisconsin may acquire within the twenty-seven-mile segment of the Lower Saint Croix River segment to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior such lands as may be proposed for their acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance pursuant to the development plan required by section 3 of this Act.

Sec. 5.

Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to impair or otherwise affect such statutory authority as may be vested in the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating or the Secretary of the Army for the maintenance of navigation aids and navigation improvements.

Sec. 6.