---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 404d"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "404d"
heading: "Acceptance of title to lands; reservations; leases; rights-of-way and easements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/404d"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter XLVII — Mammoth Cave National Park"
---

# §404d. Acceptance of title to lands; reservations; leases; rights-of-way and easements


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized in his discretion to accept title to lands tendered without cost to the United States within the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the Mammoth Cave National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), subject to leases entered into and granted as part consideration in connection with the purchase of said land for tender to the United States for [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) purposes, but not exceeding in length of term the life of the particular grantor or grantors: Provided, That said leases and the terms and conditions thereof shall have previously been submitted to and approved by said [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1): And provided further, That he may lease upon such terms and conditions as he deems proper any lands within the aforesaid [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) when such use shall not be deemed by him inconsistent with the purposes for which the lands were acquired on behalf of the United States, to [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), educational or religious institutions, private corporations, associations, and partnerships previously occupying such land for terms not exceeding the particular lifetime in the case of natural [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), and not exceeding twenty years in all other cases, which latter leases may be renewed in the discretion of said [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1): And provided further, That the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior may accept lands for these [parks](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) subject to reservations of rights-of-way and easements.


## Source credit

(Feb. 4, 1932, ch. 19, § 2, 47 Stat. 37.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Provisions of act Feb. 4, 1932, § 2, relating to the Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and to the Isle Royale National Park, are classified to sections 403e and 408c of this title.