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<br />002039 <br /> <br />4. What is the the impact upon private lands should <br />designation occur? <br /> <br />The Act clearly gives the federal government the right <br />to condemn fee title in private land'when less than 50% <br />of a designated river segment (one-quarter mile back <br />from both sides of a river) is in government <br />ownership. If greater than 50% is in government <br />ownership, condemnation is not allowed. However, the <br />acquisition of fee title in land on a willing seller <br />basis is allowed. <br /> <br />The Act also gives the federal government the right to <br />use condemnation to clear title and to acquire scenic <br />easements or other such easements as are "reasonably <br />necessary to give the public access to the river and to <br />permit its members to traverse the length of the area <br />or of selected segments thereof." <br /> <br />This latter power may be exercised without respect to <br />the percentage of land which is government owned in a <br />designated segment. The ability of the federal <br />government to use condemnation is a significant issue <br />with private landowners. Condemnation also will reduce <br />local property tax revenues. <br /> <br />gl <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />-3- <br />