((a)) ** Access across Federal lands; application approval** After , the State or State-owned railroad may request the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate under law, to expeditiously approve an application for a right-of-way in order that the Alaska Railroad or State-owned railroad may have access across Federal lands for transportation and related purposes. The State or State-owned railroad may also apply for a lease, permit, or conveyance of any necessary or convenient terminal and station grounds and material sites in the vicinity of the right-of-way for which an application has been submitted.January 14, 19831983-01-14

((b)) ** Consultative requirements prior to approval of application; conformance of rights-of-way, etc.** Before approving a right-of-way application described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, shall consult with the Secretary. Approval of an application for a right-of-way, permit, lease, or conveyance described in subsection (a) of this section shall be pursuant to applicable law. Rights-of-way, grounds, and sites granted pursuant to this section and other applicable law shall conform, to the extent possible, to the standards provided in the Act of ( et seq.) and . Such conformance shall not be affected by the repeal of such Act under .43 U.S.C. 975section 1202(6) of this titlesection 615 of this title1March 12, 19141914-03-12