---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 160c"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "160c"
heading: "Acquisition of improved property"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/160c"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter XIX — Voyageurs National Park"
---

# §160c. Acquisition of improved property

- (a) **Owner’s reservation of right of use and occupancy for residential purposes for life or fixed term of years; election of term; fair market value—** Any [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) or [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) (hereinafter referred to as “[owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4)”) of [improved property](/usc/16/251h.md?p=2) on the date of its [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may, if the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines that such [improved property](/usc/16/251h.md?p=2) is not, at the time of its [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), required for the proper administration of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), as a condition of such [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), retain for themselves and their successors or assigns a right of use and occupancy of the [improved property](/usc/16/251h.md?p=2) for noncommercial residential purposes for a definite term not to exceed twenty-five years, or, in lieu thereof, for a term ending at the death of the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), or the death of his spouse, whichever is later. The [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) shall elect the term to be retained. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall pay to the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) the fair market value of the property on the date of such [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) less the fair market value on such date of the right retained by the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4).
- (b) **Use and occupancy by lessee of lands donated by State of Minnesota within boundaries of park; term of use and occupancy—** If the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Minnesota donates to the United States any lands within the boundaries of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) subject to an outstanding lease on which the lessee began construction of a noncommercial or recreational residential dwelling prior to January 1, 1969, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may grant to such lessee a right of use and occupancy for such period of time as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in his discretion, shall determine: Provided, That no such right of use and occupancy shall be granted, extended, or continue after ten years from the date of the establishment of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
- (c) **Termination of use and occupancy; tender by Secretary of fair market value of unexpired right—** Any right of use and occupancy retained or granted pursuant to this section shall be subject to termination by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) upon his determination that such use and occupancy is being exercised in a manner not consistent with the purposes of this subchapter or upon his determination that the property is required for the proper administration of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3). The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall tender to the holder of the right so terminated an amount equal to the fair market value of that portion of the right which remains unexpired on the date of termination.
- (d) **“Improved property” defined—** The term “[improved property](/usc/16/251h.md?p=2)”, as used in this section, shall mean a detached, noncommercial residential dwelling, the construction of which was begun before January 1, 1969, together with so much of the land on which the dwelling is situated, the said land being in the same ownership as the dwelling, as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall designate to be reasonably necessary for the enjoyment of the dwelling for the sole purpose of noncommercial residential use, together with any structures accessory to the dwelling which are situated on the land so designated.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–661, § 202, Jan. 8, 1971, 84 Stat. 1971.)