((a)) ** .—** The Secretary may formulate transportation plans and implement transportation projects where feasible pursuant to those plans for System units.

((b))

((1)) ** .—** To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary may—

((A)) contract with public or private agencies or carriers to provide transportation services, capital equipment, or facilities to improve access to System units;

((B)) operate those services directly in the absence of suitable and adequate agencies or carriers;

((C)) acquire, by purchase, lease, or agreement, capital equipment for those services; and

((D)) where necessary to carry out this subchapter, acquire, by lease, purchase, donation, exchange, or transfer, land, water, or an interest in land or water that is situated outside the boundary of a System unit.

((2))

((A)) ** .—** The acquired property shall be administered as part of the System unit.

((B)) ** .—** Any land or interests in land owned by a State or any of its political subdivisions may be acquired only by donation.

((C)) ** .—** Any land acquisition shall be subject to any statutory limitations on methods of acquisition and appropriations as may be specifically applicable to the area.

((c)) ** .—** The Secretary shall establish information programs to inform the public of available System unit access opportunities and to promote the use of transportation modes other than personal motor vehicles for access to and travel within the System units.

((d)) ** .—** Transportation facilities and services provided pursuant to this subchapter may be undertaken by the Secretary directly or by contract without regard to any requirement of Federal, State, or local law respecting determinations of public convenience and necessity or other similar matters. The Secretary or contractor shall consult with the appropriate State or local public service commission or other body having authority to issue certificates of convenience and necessity. A contractor shall be subject to applicable requirements of that body unless the Secretary determines that the requirements would not be consistent with the purposes and provisions of this subchapter.

((e)) ** .—** No grant of authority in this subchapter shall be deemed to expand the exemption of .