§459a–2 Preservation of natural features; acquisition of additional property; reversion of property on failure of conditions

Summary

Most of the area must be kept as a primitive wilderness. Only parts that are clearly good for swimming, boating, sailing, fishing, or similar recreation can be developed for those uses. No visitor facilities may be built if they would harm the plants, animals, or the natural land forms now there. The Secretary of the Interior may accept at least 10,000 acres for the National Park Service, including the existing Cape Hatteras State Park, and may take more if North Carolina agrees. If all lands are not transferred to the United States within fifteen years from August 17, 1937, the Secretary may abandon creating the national seashore and the State will take back any lands it gave. Lands donated by others will go back to the donors or their heirs if the project is abandoned. If abandonment happens, the Secretary must sign recordable papers (such as quitclaim deeds) saying so, and title will return to the people entitled without more proof.