---
kind: "range"
citation: "16 U.S.C. §§ 459r–459t"
title: "16"
from: "459r"
to: "459t"
count: 3
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/459r..459t"
---

# §459r. Disposition of recreational demonstration projects


Except as provided in [section 459s of this title](/usc/16/459s.md), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized, with the approval of the President, to convey or lease to the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) or to the political [subdivisions](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) thereof, without consideration, any or all of the recreational demonstration [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) and lands, improvements, and equipment comprised within such [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) transferred to him by Executive Order Numbered 7496, dated November 14, 1936, or any parts of such [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4), when in his judgment such grantees or lessees are adequately prepared to administer, operate, and maintain such [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) for public [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), recreational, and [conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) purposes, or he may, with the approval of the President, transfer to other Federal agencies any of the aforesaid recreational demonstration [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that may be of use to such agencies.


# §459s. Lands for certain projects added to certain projects


After June 6, 1942, the lands acquired for the Acadia, French Creek, Shenandoah, and White Sands recreational demonstration [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) shall be added to and become a part of Acadia [National Park](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=5), Hopewell Village National Historic Site, Shenandoah [National Park](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=5), and White Sands National Monument,[^1] in the order named above, subject to all laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the respective [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) to which such recreational demonstration [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) are added.


# §459t. Secretary of the Interior authorized to execute deeds and leases for project lands; inclusion of conditional covenants


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized to execute on behalf of the United States all necessary deeds and leases to effect the purposes of [sections 459r to 459t](/usc/16/459r..459t.md) of this title. Every such deed or lease shall contain the express condition that the grantee or lessee shall use the property exclusively for public [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), recreational, and [conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) purposes, and the further express condition that the United States assumes no obligation for the maintenance or operation of the property after the acceptance of such deed or during the term of such lease, and may contain such other conditions not inconsistent with such express conditions as may be agreed upon by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) and the grantee or lessee: Provided, That the title and right to possession of any lands so conveyed or leased, together with the improvements thereon, shall revert to the United States upon a finding by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), after notice to such grantee or lessee and after an opportunity for a hearing, that the grantee or lessee has not complied with such conditions during a period of more than three years, which finding shall be final and conclusive, and such lands and improvements thereon, upon such reversion to the United States, shall be returned to the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and upon determination of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may be considered as surplus real property to be disposed of in accordance with [section 1303 of title 40](/usc/40/1303.md).