Within the Barataria Marsh Unit the Secretary is authorized to acquire not to exceed eight thousand six hundred acres of lands, waters, and interests therein (hereinafter referred to as the “core area”), as depicted on the map referred to in section 230 of this title, by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. The Secretary may also acquire by any of the foregoing methods such lands and interests therein, including leasehold interests, as he may designate in the French Quarter of New Orleans for development and operation as an interpretive and administrative facility. Lands, waters, and interests therein owned by the State of Louisiana or any political subdivision thereof may be acquired only by donation. In acquiring property pursuant to this part, the Secretary may not acquire right to oil and gas without the consent of the owner, but the exercise of such rights shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretary may promulgate in furtherance of the purposes of this part.

With respect to the lands, waters, and interests therein generally depicted as the “park protection zone” on the map referred to in section 230 of this title, the Secretary shall, no later than six months from November 10, 1978, in consultation with the affected State and local units of government, develop a set of guidelines or criteria applicable to the use and development of properties within the park protection zone to be enacted and enforced by the State or local units of government.

The purpose of any guideline developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be to preserve and protect the following values within the core area:

Where the State or local units of government deem it appropriate, they may cede to the Secretary, and the Secretary is authorized to accept, the power and authority to confect and enforce a program or set of rules pursuant to the guidelines established under subsection (b) of this section for the purpose of protecting the values described in subsection (c) of this section.

The Secretary, upon the failure of the State or local units of government to enact rules pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or enforce such rules so as to protect the values enumerated in subsection (c) of this section, may acquire such lands, servitudes, or interests in lands within the park protection zone as he deems necessary to protect the values enumerated in subsection (c) of this section.

The Secretary may revise the boundaries of the park protection zone, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to include or exclude properties, but only with the consent of Jefferson Parish.

The Secretary is authorized to acquire lands or interests in lands by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds or exchange, not to exceed approximately 20 acres, in Acadian villages and towns. Any lands so acquired shall be developed, maintained and operated as part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park.