Title 54National Park Service and Related ProgramsRelease 119-73

§102102 Authority of Secretary to enter into lease for buildings and associated property

Title 54 › Subtitle Subtitle I— - National Park System › Chapter CHAPTER 1021— - PRIVILEGES AND LEASES › § 102102

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary may lease buildings and nearby property in the System to people or government entities to help run the System. Leases cannot be used to let someone do things that need a concession contract, a commercial use authorization, or a similar permit. Leased space must be used in ways that match the unit’s legal purposes, must not harm the unit’s values, and must fit with Service programs. Rent must equal fair market value, and section 1302 of Title 40 does not apply. The Secretary can lower rent if the lessee spends money on preservation, repair, or improvements. Rent goes into a special Treasury account that stays available until spent, and can be used for infrastructure like refurbishing facilities, repairs and replacements, resource-protection projects, and direct maintenance of the leased property. The Secretary must set rules for that account and issue regulations that promote competition and allow public comment.

Full Legal Text

Title 54, §102102

National Park Service and Related Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)To facilitate the administration of the System, the Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may consider advisable, and except as provided in subsection (b) and subject to subsection (c), may enter into a lease with any person or government entity for the use of buildings and associated property administered by the Secretary as part of the System.
(b)The Secretary may not use a lease under subsection (a) to authorize the lessee to engage in activities that are subject to authorization by the Secretary through a concession contract, commercial use authorization, or similar instrument.
(c)Buildings and associated property leased under subsection (a)—
(1)shall be used for an activity that is consistent with the purposes established by law for the System unit in which the building is located;
(2)shall not result in degradation of the purposes and values of the System unit; and
(3)shall be compatible with Service programs.
(d)(1)With respect to a lease under subsection (a)—
(A)payment of fair market value rental shall be required; and
(B)section 1302 of title 40 shall not apply.
(2)The Secretary may adjust the rental amount as appropriate to take into account any amounts to be expended by the lessee for preservation, maintenance, restoration, improvement, or repair and related expenses.
(e)(1)Rental payments under a lease under subsection (a) shall be deposited in a special account in the Treasury.
(2)Amounts in the special account shall be available until expended, without further appropriation, for infrastructure needs at System units, including—
(A)facility refurbishment;
(B)repair and replacement;
(C)infrastructure projects associated with System unit resource protection; and
(D)direct maintenance of the leased buildings and associated property.
(3)The Secretary shall develop procedures for the use of the special account that ensure accountability and demonstrated results consistent with this section and section 100101(b), 100502, 100507, 100751(b), 100754, 100901(b) and (c), 100906(a) and (d), 101302(b)(1) and (c) to (e), 101306, 101702(b) and (c), 101901, 102701, and 102702 of this title.
(f)The Secretary shall prescribe regulations implementing this section that include provisions to encourage and facilitate competition in the leasing process and provide for timely and adequate public comment.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 102102(a)16 U.S.C. 1a–2 (matter before (a)).Pub. L. 91–383, § 3 (matter before (a)), Aug. 18, 1970, 84 Stat. 826. 16 U.S.C. 1a–2(k)(1).Pub. L. 91–383, § 3(k), as added Pub. L. 105–391, title VIII, § 802(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3522. 102102(b) through (d)16 U.S.C. 1a–2(k)(2) through (4)(B). 102102(e)16 U.S.C. 1a–2(k)(5). 102102(f)16 U.S.C. 1a–2(k)(4)(C).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

54 U.S.C. § 102102

Title 54National Park Service and Related Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73