A.  For the purposes of this Chapter, a compact may acquire private or public property and property rights, including rights of access, air, view, and light, by gift, devise, purchase, or condemnation by eminent domain proceedings, as the compact may deem necessary for any of the purposes of this Chapter, including but not limited to any lands reasonably necessary for securing applicable permits, areas necessary for management of access, borrow pits, drainage ditches, water retention areas, rest areas, placement access for landowners whose access is impaired due to the construction of a project, and replacement rights-of-way for relocated rail and utility facilities for existing, proposed, or anticipated transportation facilities in the transportation corridor designated by the compact.

B.  In the acquisition of land and property, a compact may acquire an entire lot, block, or tract of land, if, by so doing, the acquisition costs to the compact will be equal to or less than the cost of acquiring only that portion of the property thereof necessary for the project.  This Subsection is a specific recognition that this means of limiting the rising costs of such property acquisition is a public purpose and that, without this limitation, the viability of many public projects will be threatened.  To that end, the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 48:2180(20), regarding reconveyance of such excess portion shall not apply except in the case of the exercise by a compact of its right of eminent domain.

C.  A compact may sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of a project, provided that the sale, lease, or other disposition of a state-designated project shall require department approval.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any surplus property may be sold in accordance with procedures adopted by the compact that maximize the price received for such property.

D.  The right of eminent domain conferred by this Chapter shall be exercised by each compact in the manner provided by state law.

E.  When a compact acquires property for a project, it is not subject to any liability imposed by pre-existing conditions.  This Subsection does not, however, affect the rights or liabilities of any past or future owners of the acquired property, nor does it affect the liability of any governmental entity for the results of its actions which create or exacerbate a pollution source.  The compact and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality may enter into interagency agreements for the performance, funding, and reimbursement of the investigative and remedial acts necessary for property acquired by the compact.

Acts 2010, No. 838, §2, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 858, §1, eff. June 30, 2010.