---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 45b"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "45b"
heading: "Rules and regulations; leases; fish and game"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/45b"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter VI — Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks"
---

# §45b. Rules and regulations; leases; fish and game


The said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) shall be under the exclusive control of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, whose duty it shall be, as soon as practicable, to make and publish such reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of the United States, as he may deem necessary or proper for the care, protection, management, and improvement of the same, such regulations being primarily aimed at the freest use of said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) for recreation purposes by the public and for the preservation from injury or spoliation of all timber, natural curiosities, or wonders within said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) and their retention in their natural condition as far as practicable, and for the preservation of said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) in a [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of nature so far as is consistent with the purposes of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall permit the [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) of fish by hook and line from the streams or lakes in said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), but at such seasons, during such times, and in such manner as may be directed by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior. Such rules and regulations, however, shall provide against the destruction of the wild life within said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), and the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized to [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) all such measures as shall be necessary to fully carry out the objects and purposes of this Act. Said [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may, in his discretion, execute leases to parcels of ground not exceeding ten acres in extent at any one place to any one [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) or [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) or company for not to exceed twenty years, when such ground is necessary for the erection of buildings for the accommodation of visitors. Such leases or privileges may be renewed or extended at the expiration of the terms thereof: Provided, That existing leases from the Department of Agriculture may be continued, in the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, for so long as such extension is not detrimental to the public purposes for which the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) is created.


## Source credit

(July 3, 1926, ch. 744, § 2, 44 Stat. 820.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act July 3, 1926, which is classified to sections 45a, 45b to 45e, and 688 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.