(1) For the purposes of this chapter, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority 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 authority may deem necessary, 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, replacement access for landowners whose access is impaired due to the construction of transportation facilities, and replacement rights-of-way for relocated rail and utility facilities, and areas necessary for existing, proposed, or anticipated transportation facilities or in a transportation corridor designated by the authority. The authority shall also have the power to condemn any material and property necessary for such purposes. Property already devoted to a public use may be acquired in like manner, provided that no real property belonging to the state or any political subdivision thereof may be acquired without the state’s or affected political subdivision’s consent. The right of eminent domain conferred in this section shall be exercised by the authority in the manner provided by law. Notwithstanding that the authority is an agency of the state, the authority shall not exercise its powers of condemnation granted in this section with respect to any property or property rights of any county or municipality, including, without limitation, the City of Jacksonville.
(2) The authority may acquire such rights, title, interest, or easements in such lands as it may deem necessary for any of the purposes of this chapter.
(3) In connection with the acquisition of property or property rights as herein provided, the authority may in its discretion acquire an entire lot, block, or tract of land, if by so doing the interests of the public will be best served, even though said entire lot, block, or tract is not immediately needed for the right-of-way proper.
(4) When the authority acquires property for a transportation facility or in a transportation corridor, it is not subject to any liability imposed by chapter 376 or chapter 403 for preexisting soil or groundwater contamination due solely to its ownership. This section does not 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 that create or exacerbate a pollution source. The authority and the Department of Environmental Protection may enter into interagency agreements for the performance, funding, and reimbursement for the costs of the investigative and remedial acts necessary for property acquired by the authority.
