§ 6552 — Fragile areas

(a) The Secretary shall consider for designation on a register of fragile areas only a site that:
(1) is a significant statewide scientific, ecological, or educational value; or
(2) is exemplary for the purposes of education or research in the natural sciences; or
(3) has rare, remnant, or other unusual plants or animals or contains endangered species as determined by the Secretary under chapter 123 of this title; or
(4) contains a necessary habitat as that term is defined in section 5401 of this title.
(b) To assist in the designation, the Secretary shall seek the advice of a fragile areas committee comprising five members, one from each of the following disciplines: zoology, botany, plant community ecology, geology, and wildlife.
(c) Prior to designating a fragile area on the register, the Secretary shall:
(1) document the technical and scientific basis for the designation;
(2) contact each owner of the fragile area to inform the owner of the significance of the fragile area and to achieve voluntary agreement from the owner to protect and manage the fragile area according to stewardship guidelines adopted by the Secretary;
(3) provide information and assistance to each owner of the fragile area concerning the identification, protection, and management of the fragile area. (Added 1977, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)