---
kind: "range"
citation: "43 U.S.C. §§ 869–869–4"
title: "43"
from: "869"
to: "869–4"
count: 5
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/869..869-4"
---

# §869. Disposal of lands for public or recreational purposes

- (a) **Application; conditions; classification; restoration if not applied for—** The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior upon application filed by a duly qualified applicant under [section 869–1 of this title](/usc/43/869–1.md) may, in the manner prescribed by [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title, dispose of any [public lands](/usc/43/155.md?p=1) to a [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), federally recognized Indian Tribe, Territory, county, municipality, or other [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Tribal, Territorial, or Federal instrumentality or political subdivision for any public purposes, or to a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit [association](/usc/43/31b.md?p=2) for any recreational or any public purpose consistent with its articles of incorporation or other creating authority. Before the land may be disposed of under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title it must be shown to the satisfaction of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) that the land is to be used for an established or definitely proposed project, that the land involved is not of national significance nor more than is reasonably necessary for the proposed use, and that for proposals of over 640 acres comprehensive land use plans and zoning regulations applicable to the area in which the [public lands](/usc/43/155.md?p=1) to be disposed of are located have been adopted by the appropriate [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Tribal, or local authority. The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall provide an opportunity for participation by affected citizens in disposals under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title, including public hearings or meetings where he deems it appropriate to provide public comments, and shall hold at least one public meeting on any proposed disposal of more than six hundred forty acres under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title. The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may classify [public lands](/usc/43/155.md?p=1) in Alaska for disposition under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title. Lands so classified may not be appropriated under any other [public land](/usc/43/1748c.md?p=a-3) law unless the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) revises such classification or authorizes the disposition of an interest in the lands under other applicable law. If, within eighteen months following such classification, no application has been filed for the purpose for which the lands have been so classified, then the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall restore such lands to appropriation under the applicable [public land](/usc/43/1748c.md?p=a-3) laws.
- (b) **Acreage limitations—** Conveyances made in any one calendar year shall be limited as follows:
  - (1) For recreational purposes:
    - (A) To any [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) or the [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) park agency or any other agency having jurisdiction over the [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) park system of such [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) designated by the Governor of that [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) as its sole representative for acceptance of lands under this provision, hereinafter referred to as the [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), or to any political subdivision of such [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), six thousand four hundred acres, and such additional acreage as may be needed for small roadside parks and rest sites of not more than ten acres each.
    - (B) To any nonprofit corporation or nonprofit [association](/usc/43/31b.md?p=2), six hundred and forty acres.
    - (C) No more than twenty-five thousand six hundred acres may be conveyed for recreational purposes under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title in any one [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) per calendar year. Should any [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) or political subdivision, however, fail to secure, in any one year, six thousand four hundred acres, not counting lands for small roadside parks and rest sites, conveyances may be made thereafter if pursuant to an application on file with the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior on or before the last day of said year and to the extent that the conveyance would not have exceeded the limitations of said year.
    - (D) To any federally recognized Indian Tribe, 6,400 acres.
  - (2) For public purposes other than recreation:
    - (A) To any [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) or agency or instrumentality thereof, for any one [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), six hundred and forty acres.
    - (B) To any political subdivision of a [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), six hundred and forty acres.
    - (C) To any nonprofit corporation or nonprofit [association](/usc/43/31b.md?p=2), six hundred and forty acres.
    - (D) To any federally recognized Indian Tribe, 640 acres.
- (c) **Lands withdrawn in aid of functions of a department, agency, State, etc.; lands excepted from disposal—** Where the lands have been withdrawn in aid of a function of a Federal department or agency other than the Department of the Interior, or of a [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Territory, county, municipality, water [district](/usc/43/316a.md?p=2), or other local governmental subdivision or agency, the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior may make disposals under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title only with the consent of such Federal department or agency, or of such [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Territory, or local governmental unit. Nothing in [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title shall be construed to apply to lands in any national forest, national park, or national monument, or national wildlife refuge, or to any Indian lands or lands set aside or held for the use or benefit of Indians, including lands over which jurisdiction has been transferred to the Department of the Interior by Executive order for the use of Indians, or, except insofar as [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title apply to [leases](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) of land to [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), federally recognized Indian Tribes, and counties and to [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Tribal, Territorial, and Federal instrumentalities and political subdivisions and to municipal corporations, to the revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands and the reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands in the [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) of Oregon. Nor shall any disposition be made under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title for any use authorized under any other law.

# §869–1. Sale or lease to State or nonprofit organization; reservation of mineral deposits; termination of lease for nonuse


The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior may after due consideration as to the power value of the land, whether or not withdrawn therefor, (a) sell such land to the [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), federally recognized Indian Tribe, Territory, county, or other [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Tribal, Territorial, or Federal instrumentality or political subdivision in which the lands are situated, or to a nearby federally recognized Indian Tribe or municipal corporation in the same [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) or Territory, for the purpose for which the land has been classified, and conveyances of such land for historic-monument purposes or recreational purposes under this section shall be made without monetary consideration, while conveyances for any other purpose under this section shall be made at a price to be fixed by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior through appraisal or otherwise, after taking into consideration the purpose for which the lands are to be used, (b) [lease](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) such land to the [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), federally recognized Indian Tribe, Territory, county, or other [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Tribal, Territorial, or Federal instrumentality or political subdivision in which the lands are situated, or to a nearby federally recognized Indian Tribe or municipal corporation in the same [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) or Territory, for the purpose for which the land has been classified, at a reasonable annual rental, except that [leases](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) of such lands for recreational purposes shall be made without monetary consideration, for a period up to twenty-five years, and, at the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), with a privilege of renewal for a like period, (c) sell such land to a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit [association](/usc/43/31b.md?p=2), for the purpose for which the land has been classified, at a price to be fixed by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior through appraisal, after taking into consideration the purpose for which the lands are to be used, or (d) [lease](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) such land to a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit [association](/usc/43/31b.md?p=2) at a reasonable annual rental, for a period up to twenty years, and, at the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), with a privilege of renewal for a like period. Each patent or [lease](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) so issued shall contain a reservation to the United States of all mineral deposits in the lands conveyed or leased and of the right to mine and remove the same, under applicable laws and regulations to be established by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7). Each [lease](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) shall contain a provision for its termination upon a finding by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) that the land has not been used by the lessee for the purpose specified in the [lease](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) for such period, not over five years, as may be specified in the [lease](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c), or that such land or any part thereof is being devoted to another use.


# §869–2. Conditions of transfer by grantee; solid waste disposal

- (a) **Conditions of transfer by grantee—** Title to lands conveyed by the Government under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title may not be transferred by the grantee or its successor except, with the consent of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, to a transferee which would be a qualified grantee under section [869–1(a)](/usc/43/869–1.md) or [869–1(c)](/usc/43/869–1.md) of this title and subject to the acreage limitation contained in [section 869(b) of this title](/usc/43/869.md?p=b). A grantee or its successor may not change the use specified in the conveyance to another or additional use except, with the consent of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), to a use for which such grantee or its successor could obtain a conveyance under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title. If at any time after the lands are conveyed by the Government, the grantee or its successor attempts to transfer title to or control over these lands to another or the lands are devoted to a use other than that for which the lands were conveyed, without the consent of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), title to the lands shall revert to the United States.
- (b) **New disposal sites—**
  - (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of [subsection (a)](#a) of this section, if the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) receives an application for conveyance of land under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title for the express purpose of solid waste disposal or for another purpose which the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) finds may include the disposal, placement, or release of any [hazardous substance](#b-7), the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may convey such land subject only to the provisions of this subsection.
  - (2) Prior to issuance of any conveyance of land under this subsection the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall investigate the land covered by an application for such conveyance to determine whether or not any [hazardous substance](#b-7) is present on such land. Such investigation shall include a review of any available records as to the use of such land and all appropriate analysis of the soil, water and air associated with such land. No land shall be conveyed under this subsection if such investigation indicates that any [hazardous substance](#b-7) is present on such land.
  - (3) No application for conveyance under this subsection shall be acted on by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) until the applicant has furnished evidence, satisfactory to the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), that a copy of the application and information concerning the proposed use of the land covered by the application has been provided to the Environmental Protection Agency and to all other [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) and Federal agencies with responsibility for enforcement of [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) and Federal laws applicable to lands used for the disposal, placement, or release of solid waste or any [hazardous substance](#b-7).
  - (4) No application for conveyance under this subsection shall be acted on by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) until the applicant has given a warranty that use of the land covered by the application will be consistent with all applicable [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) and Federal laws, including laws dealing with the disposal, placement, or release of [hazardous substances](#b-7), and that the applicant will hold the United States harmless from any liability that may arise out of any violation of any such law.
  - (5) A conveyance under this subsection shall be made to the extent that the applicant has demonstrated to the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) that the land covered by an application meets all applicable [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) and local requirements and is appropriate in character and reasonable in acreage in order to meet an existing or reasonably anticipated need for solid waste disposal or for another proposed use that the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) finds may include the disposal, placement, or release of any [hazardous substance](#b-7).
  - (6) A conveyance under this subsection shall be subject to the following conditions:
    - (A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of this paragraph, the document of conveyance shall provide that the lands conveyed under this subsection shall revert to the United States, unless substantially all of the lands have been used, on or before the date five years after the date of conveyance, for the purpose or purposes specified in the application, or for other use or uses authorized under [subsection (a)](#a) with the consent of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7).
    - (B) In the event that at any time after such conveyance any portion of such lands has not been used for the purpose or purposes specified in the application, and the party to whom such lands were conveyed by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall transfer ownership of such unused portion to any other party, the party to whom such lands were conveyed by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall be liable to pay the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), on behalf of the United States, the fair market value of such transferred portion as of the date of such transfer, including the value of any improvements thereon. Subject to appropriations, all amounts received by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) under this subparagraph shall be retained by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) and used for the management of [public lands](/usc/43/155.md?p=1) and shall remain available until expended.
    - (C) Pricing for conveyances of land under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of [section 869–1 of this title](/usc/43/869–1.md), except that no compensation shall be required for the inclusion of only the limited reverter specified in this paragraph.
    - (D) Each patent issued under this subsection shall specify that no portion of the lands covered by such patent shall under any circumstances revert to the United States if such portion has been used for solid waste disposal or for any other purpose that the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) finds may result in the disposal, placement, or release of any [hazardous substance](#b-7).
  - (7) For purposes of this section the term “hazardous substance” has the same meaning as such term has when used in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ([42 U.S.C. 9601](/usc/42/9601.md) et seq.).
- (c) **Existing disposal sites—**
  - (1) Upon the application or with the concurrence of any party to whom the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), prior to November 10, 1988, conveyed land under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title, the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may renounce the reversionary interests of the United States in such land, or portion thereof, if the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) finds that such land, or portion thereof, has been used for solid waste disposal or for any other purpose which the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) finds may result in the disposal, placement, or release of any [hazardous substance](#b-7), and the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may rescind any portion of any patent or other instrument of conveyance inconsistent with such renunciation. After such renunciation, affected lands shall not under any circumstances revert to the United States by the operation of law, and shall cease to be subject to the provisions of [subsection (a)](#a) of this section.
  - (2) Upon the application or with the concurrence of a party to whom the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), prior to November 10, 1988, leased lands pursuant to [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title, the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may convey in fee the lands covered by such [lease](/usc/43/1331.md?p=c) or any portion thereof which have been used for solid waste disposal or for any other purpose that the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) finds may result in the disposal, placement, or release of any [hazardous substance](#b-7). Notwithstanding any other provision of [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title, a patent issued pursuant to this paragraph shall not contain a reverter provision and the lands covered by such patent shall not under any circumstances revert to the United States by operation of law after the issuance of such patent and shall not be subject to the provisions of [subsection (a)](#a) of this section.

# §869–3. Authority for transfers; applicability of section 869–2 to prior patents; termination of restrictions


The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may authorize transfers of title or changes in use in accordance with the provisions of [section 869–2 of this title](/usc/43/869–2.md) with respect to any patent heretofore issued under any Act upon application by a patentee qualified to obtain a conveyance under section [869–1(a)](/usc/43/869–1.md) or [869–1(c)](/usc/43/869–1.md) of this title. If the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), pursuant to such an application, authorizes such transfer or use, all reverter provisions and other limitations on transfer or use, under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title or any other Act affecting the lands involved, shall cease to be in effect twenty-five years after the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) authorizes the transfer or use for a changed or additional purpose under the provisions of this section.


# §869–4. Disposition of moneys received from or on account of revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands or reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands


All moneys received from or on account of any revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands or reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands under [sections 869 to 869–4](/usc/43/869..869–4.md) of this title shall be deposited respectively in the Oregon and California land-grant [fund](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k) and the Coos Bay Wagon Road grant [fund](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k), and shall be applied in the manner prescribed respectively by title II of the Act of August 28, 1937 (50 Stat. 875), as amended ([43 U.S.C. 1181f](/usc/43/1181f.md)),[^1] and by subchapter II of [chapter 44](/usc/43/ch44.md) of this title.