SPECIAL MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR MIDEWIN NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE.

SEC. 2915. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR MIDEWIN NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE. (a) Prohibition Against the Construction of New Through Roads.— No new construction of any highway, public road, or any part of the interstate system, whether Federal, State, or local, shall be permitted through or across any portion of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Nothing in this title shall preclude construction and maintenance of roads for use within the MNP, the granting of authorizations for utility rights-of-way under applicable Federal law, or such access as is necessary. Nothing in this title shall preclude necessary access by the Secretary of the Army for purposes of restoration and cleanup as provided in this title. (b) Agricultural Leases and Special Use Authorizations.— Within the Midewin National Tailgrass Prairie, use of the lands for agricultural purposes shall be permitted subject to the following terms and conditions: (1) If at the time of transfer of jurisdiction under section 2912 or 2916 there exists any lease issued by the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of Defense for agricultural purposes upon the parcel transferred, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue a special use authorization to supersede the lease. The terms of the special use authorization shall be identical in substance to the lease that the special use authorization is superseding, including the expiration date and any payments owed the United States. On issuance of the special use authorization, the lease shall become void. (2) In addition to the authority provided in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture may issue special use authorizations to persons for use of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie for agricultural purposes. Special use authorizations issued pursuant to this paragraph shall include terms and conditions as the Secretary of Agriculture may deem appropriate. (3) No agricultural special use authorization shall be issued for agricultural purposes which has a term extending beyond the date 20 years from the date of the enactment of this title, except that nothing in this title shall preclude the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing agricultural special use authorizations or grazing permits which are effective after twenty years from the date of enactment of this title for purposes primarily related to erosion control, provision for food and habitat for fish and wildlife, or other resource management activities consistent with the purposes of the Midewin National Tailgrass Prairie. (c) Treatment of Rental Fees.— Monies received under a special use authorization issued under subsection (b) shall be subject 110 STAT. 602to distribution to the State of Illinois and affected counties pursuant to the Act of May 23, 1908, and section 13 of the Act of March 1, 1911 (16 U.S.C. 500). All monies not distributed pursuant to such Acts shall be covered into the Treasury and shall constitute a special fund (to be known as the “MNP Rental Fee Account”). The Secretary of Agriculture may use amounts in the fund, until expended and without fiscal year limitation, to cover the cost to the United States of prairie improvement work at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Any amounts in the fund that the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be in excess of the cost of doing such work shall be transferred, upon such determination, to miscellaneous receipts, Forest Service Fund, as a National Forest receipt of the fiscal year in which the transfer is made. (d) User Fees.— The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to charge reasonable fees for the admission, occupancy, and use of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and may prescribe a fee schedule providing for reduced or a waiver of fees for persons or groups engaged in authorized activities including those providing volunteer services, research, or education. The Secretary shall permit admission, occupancy, and use at no additional charge for persons possessing a valid Golden Eagle Passport or Golden Age Passport. (e) Salvage of Improvements.— The Secretary of Agriculture may sell for salvage value any facilities and improvements which have been transferred to the Secretary pursuant to this title. (f) Treatment of User Fees and Salvage Receipts.— Monies collected pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) shall be covered into the Treasury and constitute a special fund (to be known as the “Midewin National Tailgrass Prairie Restoration Fund”). The Secretary of Agriculture may use amounts in the fund, in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts, for restoration and administration of the Midewin National Tailgrass Prairie, including construction of a visitor and education center, restoration of ecosystems, construction of recreational facilities (such as trails), construction of administrative offices, and operation and maintenance of the MNP. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include the MNP among the areas under the jurisdiction of the Secretary selected for inclusion in any cost recovery or any pilot program of the Secretary for the collection, use, and distribution of user fees.