Pub. L. 86-645, tit. I, sec. 104

Sec. 104. (a) That the Secretary of the Army is authorized and directed to donate and convey by quitclaim deed to the Ship Canal Authority of the State of Florida all of the right, title, and interest of the United States of America in and to— (1) lands in Putnam County, Florida, acquired by the United States of America by condemnation proceedings in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, as case numbered 356 U.S.J. Civil; and (2) lands in Marion County, Florida, acquired by the United States of America by condemnation proceedings instituted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Ocala Division, as cases numbered 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 22, U.S. Ocala Civil. (b) It is intended hereby to authorize and direct the conveyance of all lands heretofore acquired by the United States with funds provided by the said authority for rights-of-way for a proposed ship canal across Florida. 74 Stat. 485 (c) The conveyance authorized by this section shall be made without monetary consideration therefor but upon the conditions that the Ship Canal Authority of the State of Florida will, without cost to the United States: (1) when called upon by the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, to do so, reconvey to the United States, free of any encumbrances placed thereon during ownership by said authority, those lands conveyed pursuant to this section that are required for the Cross Florida Barge Canal; (2) relocate any roads, bridges, or utility lines constructed on or across such lands after the conveyance under this section by the United States, if the relocation thereof is required by the Chief of Engineers; (3) maintain and preserve improvements previously constructed upon the land by the Federal Government in a manner that will not increase the cost of the barge canal project; (4) hold the United States safe and free from any damages resulting from the aforementioned construction; and (5) devote the proceeds from sales of any lands conveyed to it under this section solely for the acquisition, for transfer to the United States free of cost, of any other lands required for the barge canal project. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation on the right of the Ship Canal Authority of the State of Florida to sell any of the lands that, in the opinion of the United States Army district engineer at Jacksonville, Florida, will not be required for the Cross Florida Barge Canal. Any surveys or descriptions required to permit the disposal of any such lands shall be paid for by the Ship Canal Authority of the State of Florida if desired by said authority prior to the appropriation of funds therefor by the Federal Government. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver of the obligation of the Ship Canal Authority of the State of Florida to (1) furnish, without cost to the United States, all lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for the construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal as authorized by the Act of July 23, 1942 (56 Stat. 703); (2) hold and save the United States free from any damages resulting from the construction of said barge canal; and (3) to take over, maintain and operate all highways, bridges, and roadways built in connection with the said barge canal project.