MITIGATION OF ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

(a) If authorized by an applicable regulatory authority, to mitigate an adverse environmental impact that is a direct result of the construction, improvement, or maintenance of a state highway or the construction, improvement, or maintenance of a facility used in connection with the construction, maintenance, or operation of a state highway, the department may: (1) pay a fee to an appropriate public agency or private entity in lieu of acquiring or agreeing to manage property; (2) transfer any interest in real property to an appropriate public agency or private entity, as authorized by the regulatory authority that requires the mitigation, with or without monetary consideration if the property is used or is proposed to be used for mitigation purposes; or (3) contract with any public or private entity for the management of property owned by the department and used for mitigation purposes. (a-1) Before the commission may acquire by purchase or condemnation real property to mitigate an adverse environmental impact that is a direct result of a state highway improvement project, the department shall, if authorized by an applicable regulatory authority, offer to purchase a conservation easement from the owner of the real property. If the landowner does not accept the offer to execute a conservation easement before the 61st day after the date the offer is made, the department may acquire the property by purchase or condemnation. (b) A contract under this section is not subject to Chapter 771, Government Code. (c) In this section, "management" means administration, control, or maintenance that is required by an agency of the United States.