Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73

§255 Effect on existing homestead, mineral, etc., entries; revision of boundaries

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER XXVII— - OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK › § 255

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Existing claims under U.S. land laws for any purpose stay valid and keep full use, including treaty rights of Indian tribes. Olympic National Park boundaries can be changed only by Congress.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §255

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Nothing contained herein shall affect any valid existing claim, location, or entry made under the land laws of the United States, whether for homestead, mineral, right-of-way, or any other purpose whatsoever, or shall affect the right of any such claimant, locator, or entryman to the full use and enjoyment of his land, nor the rights reserved by treaty to the Indians of any tribes. The boundaries of Olympic National Park may be revised only by Act of Congress.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Herein, referred to in text, means act June 29, 1938, which is classified to section 251 and 252 to 255 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. The land laws of the United States, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 43, Public Lands.

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–578 substituted “The boundaries of Olympic National Park may be revised only by Act of Congress” for “The President may after eight months from June 29, 1938 by proclamation add to the Olympic National Park any lands within the boundaries of the Olympic National Forest, and any lands which may be acquired by the Government by gift or purchase, which he may deem it advisable to add to such park; and any lands so added to such park shall, upon their addition thereto, become subject to all laws and

Regulations

applicable to other lands within such park: Provided, That the total area of the said park shall not exceed eight hundred and ninety-eight thousand two hundred and ninety-two acres: Provided further, That before issuing any such proclamation, the President shall consult with the Governor of the State of Washington, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Agriculture and advise them of the lands which he proposes to add to such park, and shall afford them a reasonable opportunity to consult with and communicate to him their views and recommendations with respect to the addition of such lands to such park.”

Executive Documents

Proclamation No. 3003 Proc. No. 3003, Jan. 6, 1953, 18 F.R. 169, enlarged the Olympic National Park by adding to it certain lands within the Olympic National Forest.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 255

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73