USE OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED LANDS.

SEC. 23. USE OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED LANDS. (a) Requests for Use.—Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, whenever the Secretary determines that use of any lands owned or controlled by the United States is reasonably necessary for carrying out a project for airport, development under this part, or for the operation of any public airport, including lands reasonably necessary to meet future development of an airport in accordance with the national airport system plan, he shall file with the head of the department or agency having control of the lands a request that the necessary property interests therein be conveyed to the public agency sponsoring the project in question or owning or controlling the airport. The property interest may consist of the title to, or any other interest in, land or any easement through or other interest in airspace. (b) Making of Conveyances.—Upon receipt of a request from the Secretary under this section, the head of the department or agency having control of the lands in question shall determine whether the requested conveyance is inconsistent with the needs of the department or agency, and shall notify the Secretary of his determination within a period of four months after receipt of the Secretary’s request. If the department or agency head determines that the requested conveyance is not inconsistent with the needs of that department or agency, the department or agency head is hereby authorized and directed, with the approval of the President and the Attorney General of the United States, and without any expense to the United States, to perform any acts and to execute any instruments necessary to make the conveyance requested. A conveyance may be made only on the condition that, at the option of the Secretary, the property interest conveyed shall revert to the United States in the event that the lands in question are not developed for airport purposes or used in a manner consistent with the terms of the conveyance. If only a part of the property interest conveyed is not developed for airport purposes, or used in a manner consistent with the terms of the conveyance, only that particular part shall at the option of the Secretary, revert to the United States. (c) Exemption of Certain Lands.—Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply with respect to lands owned or controlled by the United States within any national park, national monument, national recreation area, or similar area under the administration of the National Park Service; within any unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System or similar area under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife; or within any national forest or Indian reservation.