Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102
§410m Ascertainment of Owners’ Election Regarding Reservation Rights
Title 16 › CHAPTER 1 — NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › SUBCHAPTER LIV — EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK › § 410m
Summary
The Secretary of the Interior must try to find owners and ask if they want to keep reservation rights when buying land or water in the area. If owners can't be found or don't appear in court, the Secretary may buy full ownership without those reservation rights under subsections (1), (2), and (3) of the reservation rules.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §410m
Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In acquiring any of the land or water within the area described in section 410i of this title the Secretary of the Interior shall exercise reasonable diligence to ascertain whether owners elect to retain reservations in accordance with the provisions of section 410j 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 land and water, 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 land free and clear of reservations as set forth in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section 410j of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 410m
Title 16, Conservation
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102