Chapter 74. To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to secure for the United States title to patented lands in the Yosemite National Park, and for other purposes
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CHAP. 74.— An Act To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to secure for the United States title to patented lands in the Yosemite National Park, and for other purposes.April 9, 1912.[[S. 5718](/us/bill/62/s/5718).][[Public, No. 117](/us/pl/62/117).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Yosemite National Park.Exchange of timber for private lands within.Vol. 34, p. 831. That the Secretary of the Interior for the purpose of eliminating private holdings within the Yosemite National Park and the preservation intact of the natural timber along the roads in the scenic portions of the park, both on patented and park lands, is hereby empowered, in his discretion, to obtain for the United States the complete title to any or all of the lands held in private ownership within the boundaries of said park, by the exchange of decayed or matured timber, that can be removed from such parts of the park as will not affect the scenic beauty thereof, Preservation of timber near public roads.for lands of equal value held in private ownership therein, and also, in his discretion, to exchange for timber standing near the public roads on patented lands timber of equal value on park lands in other parts of the park.
Sec. 2. Determination of values.That the value of patented lands within the park offered in Payment for timber in excess of value of land.exchange, and the value of the timber on park lands proposed to be given in exchange for such patented lands, shall be ascertained in such manner as the Secretary of the Interior may, in his discretion, direct, and all expenses incident to ascertaining such values shall be paid by the owners of said patented lands, and such owners shall, before any exchange is effective, furnish the Secretary 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 lands exceeds the value of the patented lands deeded to the Government in the exchange such excess shall be paid to the Secretary of the Interior by the owners of the patented lands before any of the timber is removed from the park, 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 *Proviso*.Lands added to Park.patented lands for timber to be exchanged on park lands: *Provided, *That the lands conveyed to the Government under this Act shall become a part of the Yosemite National Park. 81 Sec. 3. That all timber must be cut and removed from the parkRegulations for cutting and removal. under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, and any damage which may result to the roads or any part of the park in consequence of the cutting and removal of the timber from the reservation shall be borne by the owners of the patented lands, and bond satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior must be given for the payment of such damages, if any, as shall be determined by the Secretary of the Interior.
Sec. 4. That the Secretary of the Interior may also sell and permitSale of matured, etc., timber in park. the removal of such matured or dead or down timber as he may deem necessary or advisable for the protection or improvement of the park, and the proceeds derived therefrom shall be deposited and covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. Approved, April 9, 1912.