Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-110

§410r–9 Boundary Revision

Title 16 › CHAPTER 1 — NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › SUBCHAPTER LIV — EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK › § 410r–9

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Adds about 600 acres of land and water around a place called Hurricane Hole in South Key Largo to Everglades National Park, as shown on the map titled "Proposed Tarpon Basin Boundary Revision" (no. 160/80,012, May 2008). The Secretary of the Interior can buy, accept as a donation, or trade for property from willing sellers in that area. The map will be kept in National Park Service offices for the public. The Secretary may let sailing boats use Hurricane Hole in emergencies under rules the Secretary sets. Money as needed is authorized to carry this out. Allows land trades using the map "Proposed Land Exchanges, Everglades National Park" (no. 160/60411A, Sept. 2008). If the State of Florida offers certain state land the Secretary accepts, the Secretary may swap Federal Tract A for that land, as long as values are equal or made equal by donation, payment, or extra land, and appraisals are done to federal standards; minor legal-description fixes are allowed; land the Park gets becomes park land. If Florida Power & Light offers about 320 acres (Tract D in the East Everglades Acquisition Area) and the Secretary accepts, the Secretary may swap Federal Tract B and grant a permanent easement next to Tract B for vegetation management, with the same rules on value, appraisal, and corrections, and the acquired land will become park land. All exchanges are subject to existing valid rights, and the park boundary will be updated when the swaps are finished.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §410r–9

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Inclusion of Tarpon Basin property

(1)Definitions

In this subsection: (A) Hurricane Hole

(B)Map

The term “map” means the map entitled “Proposed Tarpon Basin Boundary Revision”, numbered 160/80,012, and dated May 2008.

(C)Secretary

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(D)Tarpon Basin property

The term “Tarpon Basin property” means land that—

(i)is comprised of approximately 600 acres of land and water surrounding Hurricane Hole, as generally depicted on the map; and

(ii)is located in South Key Largo.

(2)Boundary revision

(A)In general

The boundary of the Everglades National Park is adjusted to include the Tarpon Basin property.

(B)Acquisition authority

The Secretary may acquire from willing sellers by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, land, water, or interests in land and water, within the area depicted on the map, to be added to Everglades National Park.

(C)Availability of map

The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(D)Administration

Land added to Everglades National Park by this section shall be administered as part of Everglades National Park in accordance with applicable laws (including regulations).

(3)Hurricane Hole

The Secretary may allow use of Hurricane Hole by sailing vessels during emergencies, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

(4)Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection.

(b)Land exchanges

(1)Definitions

In this subsection: (A) Company

(B)Federal Land (C) Map

The term “Federal Land” means the parcels of land that are—

(i)owned by the United States;

(ii)administered by the Secretary;

(iii)located within the National Park; and

(iv)generally depicted on the map as—

(I)Tract A, which is adjacent to the Tamiami Trail, U.S. Rt. 41; and

(II)Tract B, which is located on the eastern boundary of the National Park.

(D)National Park

The term “National Park” means the Everglades National Park located in the State.

(E)Non-Federal land (F) Secretary

The term “non-Federal land” means the land in the State that—

(i)is owned by the State, the specific area and location of which shall be determined by the State; or

(ii)(I)is owned by the Company;

(II)comprises approximately 320 acres; and

(III)is located within the East Everglades Acquisition Area, as generally depicted on the map as “Tract D”.

(G)State

The term “State” means the State of Florida and political subdivisions of the State, including the South Florida Water Management District.

(2)Land exchange with State

(A)In general

Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, if the State offers to convey to the Secretary all right, title, and interest of the State in and to specific parcels of non-Federal land, and the offer is acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary may, subject to valid existing rights, accept the offer and convey to the State all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land generally depicted on the map as “Tract A”.

(B)Conditions

The land exchange under subparagraph (A) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require.

(C)Valuation

(i)In general

The values of the land involved in the land exchange under subparagraph (A) shall be equal.

(ii)Equalization

If the values of the land are not equal, the values may be equalized by donation, payment using donated or appropriated funds, or the conveyance of additional parcels of land.

(D)Appraisals

Before the exchange of land under subparagraph (A), appraisals for the Federal and non-Federal land shall be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

(E)Technical corrections

Subject to the agreement of the State, the Secretary may make minor corrections to correct technical and clerical errors in the legal descriptions of the Federal and non-Federal land and minor adjustments to the boundaries of the Federal and non-Federal land.

(F)Administration of land acquired by Secretary

Land acquired by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i)become part of the National Park; and

(ii)be administered in accordance with the laws applicable to the National Park System.

(3)Land exchange with company

(A)In general

Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, if the Company offers to convey to the Secretary all right, title, and interest of the Company in and to the non-Federal land generally depicted on the map as “Tract D”, and the offer is acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary may, subject to valid existing rights, accept the offer and convey to the Company all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land generally depicted on the map as “Tract B”, along with a perpetual easement on a corridor of land contiguous to Tract B for the purpose of vegetation management.

(B)Conditions

The land exchange under subparagraph (A) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require.

(C)Valuation

(i)In general

The values of the land involved in the land exchange under subparagraph (A) shall be equal unless the non-Federal land is of higher value than the Federal land.

(ii)Equalization

If the values of the land are not equal, the values may be equalized by donation, payment using donated or appropriated funds, or the conveyance of additional parcels of land.

(D)Appraisal

(E)Technical corrections

Subject to the agreement of the Company, the Secretary may make minor corrections to correct technical and clerical errors in the legal descriptions of the Federal and non-Federal land and minor adjustments to the boundaries of the Federal and non-Federal land.

(F)Administration of land acquired by Secretary

Land acquired by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i)become part of the National Park; and

(ii)be administered in accordance with the laws applicable to the National Park System.

(4)Map

The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(5)Boundary revision

On completion of the land exchanges authorized by this subsection, the Secretary shall adjust the boundary of the National Park accordingly, including removing the land conveyed out of Federal ownership.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 410r–9

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110