BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The Baldwin County Commission went into high gear Tuesday in an effort to obtain mineral right for a proposed veterans cemetery after learning new acquisition deadlines threaten forfeiture of about $7 million in federal funds to construct the cemetery.

The county learned last week that the federal government has moved the deadline from April to Feb. 28 for transfers to be complete or actions to be initiated, or the funds will be moved to other projects.

For more than a year, the county has attempted to obtain the rights, primarily managed by Black Stone Minerals, an investment firm.

County attorney David Connor said Tuesday in an emergency meeting that Blackstone’s board of directors is supportive but the firm does not have legal authority to convey the rights.

“This meeting is not intended to cast a disparaging cloud over the owners,” Connor told Commissioners. “They are doing all they can. Black Stone cannot make a conveyance. The problem is a break in the title.”

The cemetery, a 103-acre tract situated on State Road 225 across from Historic Blakeley State Park, will be designed to accommodate veteran burials for 75 years, officials said.

Architectural and engineering firms have been selected to perform environmental and historical assessments and create a site plan, according to an Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson.

Construction should begin this year.