---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 555"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "555"
heading: "Forest headquarters, ranger stations, dwellings, or other needed sites"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/555"
units:
  - "Chapter 3 — Forests; Forest Service; Reforestation; Management"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §555. Forest headquarters, ranger stations, dwellings, or other needed sites


Where no suitable Government land is available for national forest headquarters, ranger stations, dwellings, or for other sites required for the effective conduct of the authorized activities of the Forest Service, the [Secretary](/usc/16/580p.md?p=3) of Agriculture is authorized to purchase such lands out of the appropriation applicable to the purpose for which the land is to be used, and to accept donations of land for any national forest or experimental purpose: Provided, That such lands may be acquired subject to such reservations and outstanding interests as the [Secretary](/usc/16/580p.md?p=3) determines will not interfere with the purpose for which acquired: Provided further, That not to exceed $50,000 may be expended in any one fiscal year pursuant to this authority.


## Source credit

(Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 457, § 5, 43 Stat. 1133; Apr. 24, 1950, ch. 97, § 13, 64 Stat. 86; Pub. L. 85–464, § 9, June 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 218.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1958—Pub. L. 85–464 substituted “$50,000” for “$25,000”.

1950—Act Apr. 24, 1950, applied section to dwellings or other needed sites and inserted provisos.