Us Code § 519 - Agricultural lands included in tracts acquired; sale for homesteads

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 519 — Agricultural lands included in tracts acquired; sale for homesteads, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 519. Agricultural lands included in tracts acquired; sale for homesteads

Inasmuch as small areas of land chiefly valuable for agriculture may of necessity or by inadvertence be included in tracts acquired under this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may, in his discretion, and he is authorized, upon application or otherwise, to examine and ascertain the location and extent of such areas as in his opinion may be occupied for agricultural purposes without injury to the forests or to stream flow and which are not needed for public purposes, and may list and describe the same by metes and bounds, or otherwise, and offer them for sale as homesteads at their true value, to be fixed by him, to actual settlers, in tracts not exceeding eighty acres, in area, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe; and in case of such sale the jurisdiction over the lands sold shall, ipso facto, revert to the State in which the lands sold lie. And no right, title, interest, or claim in or to any lands acquired under this Act, or the waters thereon, or the products, resources, or use thereof after such lands shall have been so acquired, shall be initiated or perfected, except as in this section provided.

(Mar. 1, 1911, ch. 186, §10, 36 Stat. 962; Pub. L. 86–509, §1(k), June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 205.)


Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, means act Mar. 1, 1911, ch. 186, 36 Stat. 961, popularly known as the Weeks Law, which enacted this section, former sections 513 and 514 of this title, and sections 515 to 518, 521, 552, and 563 of this title and amended sections 480 and 500 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 552 of this title and Tables.

Codification

"Such rules and regulations as he may prescribe" was substituted for "such joint rules and regulations as the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe" in view of the transfer of functions under this section to the Secretary of Agriculture from the Secretary of the Interior by section 1(k) of Pub. L. 86–509, set out as a note under section 2201 of Title 7, Agriculture.

About This Section

16 U.S.C. § 519 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. § 519. 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

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 519

What does United States Code § 519 cover?

Section 519 ("Agricultural lands included in tracts acquired; sale for homesteads") 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 § 519?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 519" (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 § 519 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.