§1867.  Dedication of natural areas

A.  The owner of any natural area may dedicate that area as a natural area preserve by executing with the department an act transferring such portion of the owner's interest in the property as agreed upon by the owner and the department to the department for the people of Louisiana.  

B.  The department may acquire any natural area by donation, purchase, exchange, devise, or bequest.  

C.  The department may dedicate any property owned by the department as a natural area preserve by filing and recording an act subjecting the property to the provisions of this Part in the office of the clerk of court in the parish which any or all of the area is located.  

D.  The property dedicated pursuant to this Part shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the department which:

(1)  Require the protection, preservation, management, custody, and use of the natural area preserve in a manner consistent with the intent and purposes of this Part.  

(2)  Define the rights and privileges of the owner and the department.

(3)  Provide for such other provisions as the owner or department shall deem necessary to discharge the provisions of this Part or to complete the transfer.  

E.  The department shall agree to no such acts which do not provide for the protection, preservation, and management of the natural area in a manner consistent with the intent and purposes of this Part.  

F.  The department shall be the agency of the state of Louisiana primarily responsible for acquisition of natural area preserves, but no provision of this Part shall be construed to limit the department's authority to acquire other property.  Any property acquired by the department or any other agency of the state or political subdivision thereof pursuant to any other authority in law may be dedicated according to the provision of this Part.  

G.  No provision of this Part shall be construed to limit the authority of any other agency to acquire and dedicate natural areas according to the provisions of this Part.  

H.  No property dedicated pursuant to this Part may be transferred or assigned by the department or any successor in title unless it is subject to the provisions of this Part and any act which requires the management and preservation of the property in accordance with the intent and purpose of this Part.  

Acts 1987, No. 324, §1, eff. July 6, 1987.