P.R. Laws tit. 12, § 136
Within the framework of his/her respective powers, the Secretary is directed to perform the following actions, as well as any others that are convenient and necessary for the purposes of this chapter:
(a) Identify the lands located between the state forests of Maricao, Susúa and Guánica; and those of Guilarte, Pueblo de Adjuntas, and Toro Negro. Any area of soil formed by wooded lands comprised by the formation of two (2) biological corridors shall be deemed as lands between the state forests; one between the forests of Maricao, Susúa and Guánica, and the other between the forests of Guilarte, Pueblo de Adjuntas and Toro Negro, and the buffer zones to be established for them.
(b) Perform a study and evaluation in order to demarcate or clear the land to be used to determine the biological corridors that join these forests.
(c) Delimit the needed buffer zones.
(d) Prepare plans to acquire, on behalf of and in representation of the Government of Puerto Rico, the lands as well as any right thereon, that comprise the biological corridors indicated and the buffer zones, provided said lands are not classified as auxiliary forests nor designated as state forests, and that their title is not an obstacle to the establishment of the biological corridors nor the buffer zones.
(e) Promulgate regulations under this chapter to meet the purposes stated therein.
It is further provided, that the Secretary shall establish an effective communication with the Secretary of Agriculture to harmonize agricultural practices with the maintenance of the forest land, and the proprietors of forest land that could be comprised by the biological corridors and the buffer zones, in order to orient them on the possibility that [their land] could thus be classified as auxiliary forests, in which case they would not be acquired in the name of the Government of Puerto Rico under this chapter, unless their title would be an impediment to the installation of the biological corridors proposed, or the buffer zones.
History —Jan. 9, 1999, No. 14, § 4.