Volume 58
Public Law 78–508
To provide for the acceptance and protection by the United States of property within the authorized boundaries of the Everglades National Park project, Florida, pending the establishment of the park, and for other purposes.
Approved December 6, 1944
Statutory text
AN ACT
To provide for the acceptance and protection by the United States of property within the authorized boundaries of the Everglades National Park project, Florida, pending the establishment of the park, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That,
for the purpose of protecting the scenery, the wildlife, and other natural features of the region authorized to be established as the Everglades National Park by the Act of May 30, 1934 (48 Stat. 816; 16 U. S. C., secs. 410, 410a–410c), notwithstanding any provision contained in that Act, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized in his discretion to accept on behalf of the United States any land, submerged land, or interests therein, subject to such reservations of oil, gas, or mineral rights as the Secretary may approve, within the area of approximately two thousand square miles recommended by said Secretary in his report to the Congress of December 3, 1930, pursuant to the Act of
Restriction.
March 1, 1929 (45 Stat. 1443): Provided, That no general development of the property accepted pursuant to this Act shall be undertaken nor shall the park be established until title satisfactory to the Secretary to a major portion of the lands, to be selected by him, within the aforesaid recommended area shall have been vested in the
Provisional protection.
United States: Provided further, That until the property acquired by the United States pursuant to this Act has been cleared of the aforesaid reservations, the Secretary in his discretion shall furnish such protection thereover as may be necessary for the accomplishment
Reversionary provision.
of the purposes of this Act: And provided further, That in the event the park is not established within ten years from the date of the approval of this Act, or upon the abandonment of the park at any time after its establishment, title to any lands accepted pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall thereupon automatically revest in the State of Florida or other grantors of such property to the United States.
Upon
Establishment upon execution of provisions.
the execution of the aforesaid provisions relating to establishment thereof, the Everglades National Park shall be established by order of the Secretary which shall be published in the Federal Register.
Approved December 6, 1944.