--- kind: "section" citation: "16 U.S.C. § 410www–2" title: "16" title_heading: "Conservation" number: "410www–2" heading: "Authority of Secretary regarding property and concessions" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/410www-2" units: - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores" - "Subchapter LIX–UU — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park" --- # §410www–2. Authority of Secretary regarding property and concessions - (a) Within the national historical [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may convey a freehold or leasehold interest in any property, for such sums as he deems appropriate, and subject to such terms and conditions and reservations as will assure the use of the property in a manner which is, in the judgment of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), consistent with the purposes of this subchapter and the administration of the national historical [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3). The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall offer the last [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) or tenant of record a reasonable opportunity to purchase or lease, as appropriate, the property proposed to be conveyed prior to any conveyance under this subsection, and in the case of a lease to such tenant of record, the initial rental charge shall not be substantially more than the last rent paid by the tenant for that property, with any future increases not to exceed the general escalation of rental rates in the surrounding [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A). - (b) The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may enter into cooperative agreements with the [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) of properties of historical or cultural significance as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), pursuant to which the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance with respect to the preservation and interpretation of such properties. Such agreements shall contain, but need not be limited to, provisions that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall have the right of access at reasonable times to public portions of the property for interpretive and other purposes, and that no changes or alterations shall be made in the property except by mutual agreement. The authorities in this subsection shall also be available to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) with respect to properties within the Martin Luther King, Junior, Preservation District. - (c) The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may, in carrying out his authorities with respect to the interpretation of properties within the national historical [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) and the preservation district, accept the services and assistance, with or without reimbursement therefor, of qualified [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) and entities to the extent he deems necessary and appropriate. Funds appropriated for the purposes of this subchapter may be expended for the improvement, restoration, and maintenance of properties in which the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) has acquired a leasehold interest. - (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall give first preference to the Martin Luther King, Junior, Center for Social Change with respect to any contract for a concession to sell books, postcards, tapes, or similar types of appropriate mementos related to the purposes of this subchapter, on facilities operated and maintained by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) within the historical [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3): Provided, That agreement can be reached on terms and conditions acceptable to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1). - (e) The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) is authorized to [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) only such actions within and upon the grounds of the Ebenezer Baptist Church as will directly support appropriate public visitation to and within the church in accordance with the purposes of this subchapter, or which will assist in the maintenance or preservation of those portions of said church which are directly related to the purposes of this subchapter. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 96–428, § 3, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1840; Pub. L. 115–108, § 2(3), (4), Jan. 8, 2018, 131 Stat. 2267.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Codification Section was formerly classified to section 460bbbb–2 of this title. ### Amendments 2018—Subsecs. (a), (c). Pub. L. 115–108, § 2(3), substituted “national historical park” for “national historic site” wherever appearing. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–108, § 2(4), substituted “historical park” for “historic site”.