58:16A-12. Easement rights; termination

If the commissioner shall determine subsequent to the taking of a temporary easement right in property that the purposes for which such easement right was acquired have been accomplished and that the use and occupancy of said property for flood control purposes are no longer necessary, and that, therefore, the term of such easement should be further limited, or if the taking of such easement was for an indefinite period, that such period should be fixed and determined, or that the period of such easement has by its terms expired, he shall make his certificate that the use and occupancy of such property for flood control purposes are no longer necessary, that the property in which such easement right was acquired is surrendered back to the affected owner of said property and that such easement rights are thereupon terminated, released and extinguished. The said commissioner shall cause a copy of such certificate to be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court. Upon the filing of such certificate in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court all rights acquired by the State in such property shall cease and determine. The said commissioner shall cause a copy of such certificate together with notice of the filing thereof in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court to be mailed to the owner of the property affected, as certified by the Attorney General, if the place of residence of such owner is known or can be ascertained by a reasonable effort. A further copy of such certificate and notice of filing shall be filed in the office of the recording officer of each county wherein the property affected is situated. On the filing of such certificate and notice with such officer it shall be the duty of such officer to record same in the books used for recording deeds in the office of such officer. L.1948, c. 351, p. 1416, s. 12. Amended by L.1953, c. 54, p. 963, s. 33; L.1979, c. 358, s. 10, eff. Jan. 31, 1980.