---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 52"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "52"
heading: "Values of lands and timber to be exchanged; lands added to park"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/52"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter VI — Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks"
---

# §52. Values of lands and timber to be exchanged; lands added to park


The value of patented lands within the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) offered in exchange, and the value of the timber on [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) lands proposed to be given in exchange for such patented lands, shall be ascertained in such manner as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior may, in his discretion, direct, and all expenses incident to ascertaining such values shall be paid by the [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) of said patented lands, and such [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) shall, before any exchange is effective, furnish the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior evidence satisfactory to him of title to the patented lands offered in exchange, and if the value of the timber on [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) lands exceeds the value of the patented lands deeded to the Government in the exchange such excess shall be paid to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior by the [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) of the patented lands before any of the timber is removed from the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), and shall be deposited and covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The same course shall be pursued in relation to exchange for timber standing near public roads on patented lands for timber to be exchanged on [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) lands. The lands conveyed to the Government under [section 51 of this title](/usc/16/51.md) shall become a part of the Yosemite National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).


## Source credit

(Apr. 9, 1912, ch. 74, § 2, 37 Stat. 80.)