---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 459a"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "459a"
heading: "Acceptance of donations; acquisition of property by purchase and condemnation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/459a"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LXIII — National Seashore Recreational Areas"
---

# §459a. Acceptance of donations; acquisition of property by purchase and condemnation


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized to accept donations of land, interests in land, buildings, structures, and other property, within the boundaries of said national seashore recreational [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) as determined and fixed hereunder and donations of funds for the purchase and maintenance thereof, the title and evidence of title to lands acquired to be satisfactory to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior: Provided, That he may [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) on behalf of the United States under any donated funds by purchase, when purchasable at prices deemed by him reasonable, otherwise by condemnation under the provisions of [section 3113 of title 40](/usc/40/3113.md), such tracts of land within the said national seashore recreational [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) as may be necessary for the completion thereof.


## Source credit

(Aug. 17, 1937, ch. 687, § 2, 50 Stat. 669; June 29, 1940, ch. 459, § 1, 54 Stat. 702.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

“Section 3113 of title 40” substituted in text for “the Act of August 1, 1888” on authority of Pub. L. 107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first section of which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Words “national seashore recreational area” substituted in text for “national seashore” pursuant to act June 29, 1940.