---
kind: "section"
citation: "54 U.S.C. § 102901"
title: "54"
title_heading: "National Park Service and Related Programs"
number: "102901"
heading: "Conveyance of property and interests in property in System units or related areas"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/54/102901"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — National Park System"
  - "Division A — Establishment and General Administration"
  - "Chapter 1029 — Land Transfers"
---

# §102901. Conveyance of property and interests in property in System units or related areas

- (a) **Freehold and Leasehold Interests.—** With respect to any property acquired by the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) within a [System unit](/usc/54/100102.md?p=6) or related area, except property within national parks or within national monuments of scientific significance, the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) may convey a freehold or leasehold interest in the property, subject to such terms and conditions as will ensure the use of the property in a manner that is, in the judgment of the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3), consistent with the purpose for which the [System unit](/usc/54/100102.md?p=6) or related area was authorized by Congress. The [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) shall convey the interest to the highest bidder, in accordance with such regulations as the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) may prescribe. The conveyance shall be at not less than the fair market value of the interest, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3), except that if the conveyance is proposed within 2 years after the property to be conveyed is acquired by the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3), the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) shall allow the last owner of record of the property 30 days following the date on which the owner is notified by the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) in writing that the property is to be conveyed within which to notify the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) that the owner wishes to acquire the interest. On receiving the timely request, the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) shall convey the interest to the person, in accordance with such regulations as the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) may prescribe, on payment or agreement to pay an amount equal to the highest bid price.
- (b) **Exchange of Land.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) may accept title to any non-Federal property or interest in property within a [System unit](/usc/54/100102.md?p=6) or related area under the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3)’s administration in exchange for any Federally-owned property or interest under the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3)’s jurisdiction that the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) determines is suitable for exchange or other disposal and that is located in the same State as the non-Federal property to be acquired.
  - (2) **Exception.—** Timberland subject to harvest under a sustained yield program shall not be exchanged under [paragraph (1)](#b-1).
  - (3) **Public hearing.—** On request of a State or a political subdivision thereof, or of a party in interest, prior to an exchange under this subsection the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) shall hold a public hearing in the area where the properties to be exchanged are located.
  - (4) **Values of properties exchanged.—** The values of the properties exchanged—
    - (A) shall be approximately equal; or
    - (B) if they are not approximately equal, shall be equalized by the payment of cash to the grantor from funds appropriated for the acquisition of land for the area, or to the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3), as the circumstances require.
- (c) **Proceeds Credited to Land and Water Conservation Fund.—** The proceeds received from any conveyance under this section shall be credited to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 113–287, § 3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3162.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 102901(a), (b) | 16 U.S.C. 460l–22(a), (b). | Pub. L. 90–401, § 5(a), (b), July 15, 1968, 82 Stat. 356. |
| 102901(c) | 16 U.S.C. 460l–22(d). | Pub. L. 90–401, § 5(d), July 15, 1968, 82 Stat. 356; Pub. L. 98–506, § 2, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2338. |