---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 81m"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "81m"
heading: "Additional exchange of lands"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/81m"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter IX — Colonial National Historical Park"
---

# §81m. Additional exchange of lands


For the purpose of preserving more effectively for the public benefit the historic properties within Colonial National Historical [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), Virginia, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized to consummate desirable land exchanges, as hereafter prescribed, and thereby to reduce and adjust the boundaries of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3). Any lands eliminated from the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) hereunder shall not subsequently be added to the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) except by Act of Congress.

In furtherance of these purposes, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) is authorized on behalf of the United States to accept from grantors title to non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) and interests in land, together with the improvements thereon, situated within the authorized [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) boundaries, and in exchange therefor, to convey by deed on behalf of the United States to the aforesaid grantors land or interests therein, together with the improvements thereon, situated within Colonial National Historical [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) that may be used advantageously for exchange purposes. The aforesaid exchanges are authorized to be made without additional compensation by either party to the exchange when the properties to be exchanged are of approximately equal value. When, however, the properties are not of approximately equal value, as may be determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), an additional payment of funds shall be required by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) or by the grantor of non-Federal properties, as the case may be, in order to make an equal exchange. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) is authorized to use any land [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) funds relating to the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) System for such purposes. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may consummate land exchanges herein authorized upon such terms, conditions, and procedures as he may find to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the purposes of this section and [section 81n of this title](/usc/16/81n.md); and in evaluating non-Federal properties to be acquired hereunder, he is authorized to make such allowance as he may find to be equitable for the value of any residential properties that may be situated upon land to be acquired pursuant to this section and [section 81n of this title](/usc/16/81n.md). If expedient and in the public interest to do so, he may assist in the removal of structures from property to be acquired hereunder through the exchange procedure, and he may cooperate with public or private agencies and [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) in the securing of housing for the aforesaid grantors who may require new housing accommodations or facilities as a result of the land exchanges herein authorized.


## Source credit

(Mar. 29, 1956, ch. 105, § 1, 70 Stat. 61.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was not enacted as part of act July 3, 1930, ch. 837, 46 Stat. 855, which comprises this subchapter.