Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73

§410h Ascertainment of owners’ election regarding reservation rights

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER LIV— - EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK › § 410h

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary of the Interior starts a court action to buy land under these rules, he must make a reasonable effort to find out if the owners want to keep reservation rights under sections 410e to 410h. If owners cannot be found, or do not appear in the case so their choice is unknown, the Secretary may acquire full ownership (fee simple title) of the land without reservations under subsections (1) and (2) of section 410e.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §410h

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In any action caused by the Secretary of the Interior to be commenced for the acquisition of lands under the provisions hereof, reasonable diligence shall be exercised by him to ascertain whether owners elect to retain reservations in accordance with the provisions of sections 410e to 410h of this title. If, after the exercise of such reasonable diligence, owners cannot be located, or do not appear in judicial proceedings to acquire the lands, so that it may be ascertained whether they desire to retain reservations in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Secretary may acquire the fee simple title to their lands free and clear of reservations as set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of section 410e of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 410h

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73