§428d — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

Acquire the land the commission recommends for a national battlefield. Buy it if the price is reasonable; if not, use legal steps to take it. The Secretary must set and mark the battlefield boundaries, mark battle lines and troop positions, put up historical tablets where recommended (and other suitable spots), build roads and walks, plant trees and shrubs, and restore and care for the grounds, including parts of old Fort Donelson and nearby Confederate batteries. All costs for buying land, legal work, title checks, surveys, marking, commission expenses, and creating the battlefield must not go over $50,000.

Title 16, §428d

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 restoration and maintenance of those portions of old Fort Donelson, and of the Confederate water batteries that are located on the present engineer reservation: 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 battlefield shall not exceed the sum of $50,000.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1930—Act Feb. 18, 1930, inserted “military” between “national” and “park”, authorized

Construction

of roads and walks, planting of trees and shrubs, restoration and care of grounds, including portions of Fort Donelson and Confederate water batteries, 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 Fort Donelson National Military Park as Fort Donelson National Battlefield by Pub. L. 86–738. See section 428n of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Transfer of administrative functions of park, see note set out under section 428 of this title.

§428d Receipt of Report of Commission by Secretary of the Interior; Acquisition of Land for Battlefield; Other Duties of Secretary