Pub. L. 97-335, Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1627, as amended by Pub. L. 104-333,
div. I, title VIII, Sec. 814(d)(1)(C), Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4196, provided:
''That the Congress finds that - ''(1) there are significant scenic, educational,
natural, and cultural resources in the town of Isle au Haut, Maine; ''(2) due
to the isolated location and traditional resource-based economy of the town's
island community, these resources are fragile and deserving of conservation
and protection through both public and private efforts; and ''(3) both residents
of the town and visitors to the Acadia National Park will benefit from the establishment
of a permanent boundary for the park and the management of parklands on a limited
entry, low intensity basis.
''Sec. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the permanent boundary
of Acadia National Park lying within the town of Isle au Haut, Maine, is hereby
established to include only those lands and interests therein as are depicted
on the map entitled 'Boundary Map, Acadia National Park, Town of Isle au Haut,
Maine', numbered 123-80003 and dated October 1981, which map is on file and
available for public inspection in the offices of the Department of the Interior
and at the Registry of Deeds for Hancock and Knox Counties, Maine.
''Sec. 3. (a) Within the boundary established by section 2, and as indicated
on the map referenced therein, the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred
to as 'the Secretary') is authorized to acquire lands and interests therein
by donation or exchange. The Secretary is authorized and directed to acquire
by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange the tract
known as the Hamilton lot in Duck Harbor. No later than one hundred and eighty
days from enactment hereof (Oct. 15, 1982), the Secretary shall convey to the
town of Isle au Haut all right, title and interest of the United States in and
to those lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary which lie outside the
boundary established by section 2 and within the town of Isle au Haut, subject
only to such covenants running with the land as the Secretary and the town agree
are necessary to preserve the general character of such lands, which shall include
covenants to maintain forever in their natural condition (excepting the cutting
of fire trails and the extinguishment of fires) lands above three hundred feet
above the mean high water level: Provided, however, That such covenants with
respect to lands above three hundred feet and below four hundred feet shall
permit the gathering and removal of dead and fallen timber. ''(b) Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this Act (this note), the Secretary is also authorized
to accept by donation, as a coholder for enforcement purposes only, a limited
enforcement interest in conservation easements on lands outside the boundary
established by section 2 hereof and within the town of Isle au Haut which may
from time to time be donated to the Isle au Haut Land Conservation Trust, a
trust established under the laws of the State of Maine. The Superintendent of
Acadia National Park is hereby authorized to serve as an ex officio trustee
of such trust.
''Sec. 4. (a) The management and use of parklands on Isle au Haut shall not
interfere with the maintenance of a viable local community with a traditional
resource-based economy outside the boundary of the park. To the maximum extent
practicable, no development or plan for the convenience of park visitors shall
be undertaken which would be incompatible with the preservation of the flora
and fauna or the physiographic conditions now prevailing, and every effort shall
be exerted to maintain and preserve this portion of the park in as nearly its
present state and condition as possible. In recognition of the special fragility
and sensitivity of the park's resources, visitation shall be strictly limited
to assure negligible adverse impact on such resources, to conserve the character
of the town and to protect the quality of the visitor experience. ''((b), (c)
Repealed. Pub. L. 104-333, div. I, title VIII, Sec. 814(d)(1)(C), Nov. 12, 1996,
110 Stat. 4196.) ''(d) Carrying capacities established pursuant to this section
shall be reviewed, and if necessary revised, every five years. Any revision
in such carrying capacity shall be made in accordance with the procedures set
forth in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. ''(e) Until such time as a
carrying capacity limitation is established and implemented pursuant to subsections
(b) and (c) of this section, the Secretary shall take such temporary measures
as are necessary to assure that visitation does not exceed the average annual
visitation for the period 1979 to 1981.
''Sec. 5. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated after October 1, 1982,
such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act (this
note).'