§ 14-31-1-15 — Treatment of nature preserves

Indiana § 14-31-1-15

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 31: NATURE PRESERVES

Text

(a) The nature preserves within the system:
(1) are to be held in trust for the benefit of the people of Indiana
of present and future generations for those uses and purposes
expressed in this chapter that are not prohibited by the articles of
dedication;
(2) are declared to be put to the highest, best, and most important
use for the public benefit;
(3) shall be managed and protected in the manner approved by
and subject to the rules adopted by the department; and
(4) may not be taken for any other use except another public use:
(A) after a finding by the commission of the existence of an
imperative and unavoidable public necessity for the other
public use; and
(B) with the approval of the governor.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in the articles of dedication, the
department may:
(1) grant, upon the terms and conditions that the department
determines, an estate, an interest, or a right in; or
(2) dispose of;
a nature preserve.
(c) The department may take action under subsection (b) only:
(1) after a finding by the commission of the existence of an
imperative and unavoidable public necessity for the grant or
disposition; and
(2) with the approval of the governor.
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-4-5-8.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.24.