Chapter 164.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-39/chapter-164-4789213·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 164.— AN ACT To authorize an exchange of lands with owners of private holdings within the Glacier National Park. March 3, 1917.[[S. 778](/us/bill/64/s/778).][[Public, No. 382](/us/pl/64/382).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That the Secretary of the Glacier National Park, Mont. Privately owned lands in, to be obtained by exchange of timber, etc.Interior, for the purpose of eliminating private holdings within the Glacier National Park and the preservation intact of the natural forest 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 or State ownership within the boundaries of said park within townships thirty-two and thirty-three north, ranges eighteen and nineteen west of Montana principal meridian, by the exchange of dead, decadent, or matured timber of approximately equal values that can be removed from any part of the park without injuriously affecting the scenic beauty thereof; or upon the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, the timber to be selected or exchanged may be taken from the Government lands within the metes and bounds of the national forests within the State of Montana.
Ascertainment of value of lands and of timber offered in exchange. Sec. 2. That the value of all patented lands within said park, including the timber thereon, offered for exchange, and the value of the timber on park lands, or on Government lands within the metes and bounds of the national forests within the State of Montana, proposed to be given in exchange for such patented lands, shall be ascertained in such manner as the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture may jointly in their 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;
Payment for excess value of timber.and if the value of timber on park lands or on the Government lauds in the national forests within the State of Montana exceeds the value of the patented lands deeded to the Government in exchange, such excess shall be paid to the Secretary of the Interior by the owners of the patented lands before any timber is removed, and shall be deposited and covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts: *Proviso.* Lands added to Glacier Park.*Provided,* That the lands conveyed to the Government under this Act shall become a part of the Glacier National Park.
Removal of timber from the park. Sec. 3. That all timber on Government lands in the park must be cut and removed under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of (lie Interior, and any damage which may result to the roads or any part of the park or the national forests in consequence of the cutting and removal of the timber therefrom shall be borne by the owners of the patented lands, and bonds satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, jointly, must be given for Damages to be paid.the payment of such damages, if any, as shall be determined by the Secretary of the Interior so far as the same relates to lands within a national park and by the Secretary of Agriculture where the same *Proviso.* Joint reports of valuation.relates to lands in the national forests: *provided further,* That the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall jointly report to Congress in detail the factors upon which valuations were made.
Approved, March 3, 1917.