§428i — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

It makes it a crime to intentionally damage, deface, remove, or destroy things on a battlefield that were put there by proper authority. That includes monuments, statues, fences, protective works, trees, shrubs, timber, battle relics, earthworks, walls, or shelters built by the armies. Cutting or removing timber or trees is allowed only with permission from the Secretary of the Interior. If convicted in court, a person faces a misdemeanor charge and a fine of not less than $5 and not more than $100 for each offense.

Title 16, §428i

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

If any person shall willfully destroy, mutilate, deface, injure, or remove any monument, column, statue, memorial structure, or work of art that shall be erected or placed upon the grounds of the battlefield by lawful authority, or shall willfully destroy or remove any fence, railing, inclosure, or other work for the protection or ornament of said battlefield, or any portion thereof, or shall willfully destroy, cut, hack, bark, break down, or otherwise injure any tree, bush, or shrubbery that may be growing upon said battlefield, or shall cut down or fell or remove any timber, battle relic, tree, or trees growing or being upon such battlefield, except by permission of the Secretary of the Interior, or shall willfully remove or destroy any breastworks, earthworks, walls, or other defenses or shelter, or any part thereof, constructed by the armies formerly engaged in the battle on the lands or approaches to the battlefield, any person so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before any court of competent jurisdiction shall for each and every such offense be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

“Battlefield” substituted for “park” wherever appearing in text in view of redesignation of Fort Donelson National Military Park as Fort Donelson National Battlefield by Pub. L. 86–738. See section 428n of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Transfer of administrative functions of park, see note set out under section 428 of this title.

§428i Protection of monuments, etc.