---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 410h"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "410h"
heading: "Ascertainment of owners’ election regarding reservation rights"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/410h"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LIV — Everglades National Park"
---

# §410h. Ascertainment of owners’ election regarding reservation rights


In any action caused by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior to be commenced for the [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) of lands under the provisions hereof, reasonable diligence shall be exercised by him to ascertain whether [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) elect to retain reservations in accordance with the provisions of sections [410e](/usc/16/410e.md) to 410h of this title. If, after the exercise of such reasonable diligence, [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) cannot be located, or do not appear in judicial proceedings to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) the lands, so that it may be ascertained whether they desire to retain reservations in accordance with the provisions hereof, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) the fee simple title to their lands free and clear of reservations as set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of [section 410e of this title](/usc/16/410e.md).


## Source credit

(Oct. 10, 1949, ch. 659, § 4, 63 Stat. 734.)