---
kind: "range"
citation: "16 U.S.C. §§ 32–35"
title: "16"
from: "32"
to: "35"
count: 4
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/32..35"
---

# §32. Lease of lands within park


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized and empowered to lease for a period not exceeding twenty years, at an annual rental to be determined by him, to any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), corporation, or company he may authorize to transact business in the Yellowstone [National Park](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=5), separate tracts of land, not exceeding twenty acres each, at such places not to exceed ten in number to any one [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), corporation, or company, in said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) as the comfort and convenience of visitors may require for the construction and maintenance of substantial hotel buildings and buildings for the protection of stage, stock, and equipment.

Such lease or leases shall not include any of the geysers or any objects of curiosity or interest in said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), or exclude the public from free and convenient approach thereto, or include any ground within one-eighth of a mile of any of the geysers of the Yellowstone Falls, the Grand Canyon, or the Yellowstone River, Mammoth Hot Springs, or any object of curiosity in the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3); nor shall such lease convey either expressly or by implication any exclusive privilege within the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), except on the premises held thereunder and for the time therein granted. Every lease made for any property of said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) shall require the lessee to observe and obey each and every provision in any Act of Congress, every rule, order, or regulation made or which shall hereafter be made and published by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior concerning the use, care, management, or government of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), or any object or property therein under penalty of forfeiture of such lease, and shall be subject to the right of revocation and forfeiture, which shall therein be reserved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.

The provisions of this section are not to be construed as mandatory upon the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, but the authority herein given is to be exercised in his sound discretion.


# §33. Mortgages by lessees within the park


Any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), corporation, or company holding a lease within Yellowstone [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) for the purposes described in [section 32 of this title](/usc/16/32.md) is authorized, with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, to execute mortgages upon his or its rights, properties, and franchises, including his or its contract or contracts with the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, and such mortgages, together with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior may be filed for record in the office of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, and when so recorded shall have all the effect of a public record. Any mortgage, lien, or encumbrance created under the provisions of this section shall be subject to the rights of the Government to compel the enforcement of the terms of the lease or contract of the mortgagor, and any purchaser under a foreclosure of such encumbrance shall take subject to all the conditions assumed by the original lessee or contractor.


# §34. Road extensions


Road extensions and improvements shall be made in the Yellowstone [National Park](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=5) under and in harmony with the general plan of roads and improvements to be approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.


# §35. Private use of electricity from lighting and power plant


Private parties or companies doing business in the Yellowstone [National Park](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=5) under authority from the Government may be permitted, in the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army, to use electricity furnished by the electric lighting and power plant of Fort Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs at actual cost to the Government for operation, maintenance, and depreciation of the plant and 10 per centum additional, under such regulations as may be prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army.