Us Code § 38 - Exchange for State or private lands authorized

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 38 — Exchange for State or private lands authorized, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 38. Exchange for State or private lands authorized

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized in his discretion to accept, on behalf of the United States, title to any lands held in private or State ownership within the townships described in section 37 of this title, and in exchange therefor may patent not to exceed an equal value of national forest land in the State of Montana, surveyed and nonmineral in character, or the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize the grantor to cut and remove not to exceed an equal value of timber within the national forests of said State, the values in each case to be determined by the Secretary of Agriculture: Provided, That before any such exchange is effected, notice of the contemplated exchange reciting the lands involved shall be published once each week for four successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties in which may be situated the lands to be accepted and in some like newspaper published in any county in which may be situated any lands or timber to be given in such exchange. Timber given in exchange shall be cut and removed from national forests under the laws and regulations relating to the national forests and under the direction and supervision and in accordance with the requirements of the Secretary of Agriculture.

(May 26, 1926, ch. 399, §2, 44 Stat. 655; Pub. L. 86–509, §1(f), June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 205.)


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Secretary of the Interior under this section, with respect to exchanges of lands held in private or State ownership for national forest lands or timber in Montana, transferred to Secretary of Agriculture, see Pub. L. 86–509, June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 205, set out as a note under section 2201 of Title 7, Agriculture.

About This Section

16 U.S.C. § 38 is part of Title 16 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 16 U.S.C. § 38. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 38

What does United States Code § 38 cover?

Section 38 ("Exchange for State or private lands authorized") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 38?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 38" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 38 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.