16 U.S.C. § 426d: Receipt of report of…

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior must buy the land the commission recommends for a national battlefield when prices are reasonable, or, if needed, have it taken by court order (condemnation). The Secretary must lay out and clearly mark the battlefield boundaries, mark battle lines and troop positions, place historical tablets where recommended or where he thinks appropriate, build roads and walks, plant trees and shrubs, and restore and care for the grounds, including the Hazen Monument. All costs for buying the land (including court taking, title work, surveys, and payments), marking the battlefield, the commission’s expenses, and creating the national military battlefield must not be more than $100,000.

Title 16, §426d

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Upon receipt of the report of said commission, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to acquire, by purchase, when purchasable at prices deemed by him reasonable, otherwise by condemnation, such tract or tracts of lands as are recommended by the commission as necessary and desirable for a national battlefield; to establish and substantially mark the boundaries of the said battlefield; to definitely mark all lines of battle and locations of troops within the boundaries of the battlefield and erect substantial historical tablets at such points within the battlefield and in the vicinity of the battlefield and its approaches as are recommended by the commission, together with such other points as the Secretary of the Interior may deem appropriate; to construct the necessary roads and walks, plant trees and shrubs, restore and care for the grounds, including the Hazen Monument: Provided, That the entire cost of acquiring said land, including cost of condemnation proceedings, if any, ascertainment of title, surveys, and compensation for the land, the cost of marking the battlefield, the expenses of the commission, and the establishment of the national military battlefield, shall not exceed the sum of $100,000.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1930—Act Apr. 15, 1930, inserted “military” between “national” and “park”, authorized

Construction

of roads and walks, planting of trees and shrubs, restoration and care of grounds, including the Hazen Monument, and inserted “and the establishment of the national military park” in proviso.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

“National battlefield” and “battlefield” substituted in text for “national military park” and “park”, respectively, in view of redesignation of Stones River National Military Park as Stones River National Battlefield by Pub. L. 86–443. See section 426l of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Transfer of administrative functions of park, see note set out under section 426 of this title.

§426d Receipt of Report of Commission by Secretary of the Interior; Acquisition of Land for Battlefield; Other Duties of Secretary