Us Code § 8735 - Sale of land by Secretary of the Interior

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 8735 — Sale of land by Secretary of the Interior, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 8735. Sale of land by Secretary of the Interior

(a) Authority To Sell.—With the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission, the Secretary of the Interior, for the best interests of the Federal Government, may sell, by deed or instrument, real estate held by the Government in the District of Columbia and under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service which may be no longer needed for public purposes. The land may be sold for cash or on a deferred-payment plan the Secretary approves, at a price not less than the Government paid for it and not less than its present appraised value as determined by the Secretary.

(b) Sale to Highest Bidder.—In selling any parcel of land under this section, the Secretary shall have public or private solicitation for bids or offers be made as the Secretary considers appropriate. The Secretary shall sell the parcel to the party agreeing to pay the highest price if the price is otherwise satisfactory. If the price offered or bid by the owner of land abutting the land to be sold equals the highest price offered or bid by any other party, the parcel may be sold to the owner of the abutting land.

(c) Paying Expenses and Depositing Proceeds.—The Secretary—

(1) may pay the reasonable and necessary expenses of the sale of each parcel of land sold; and

(2) shall deposit the net proceeds of each sale in the Treasury to the credit of the Government and the District of Columbia in the proportion that each—

(A) paid the appropriations used to acquire the parcels; or

(B) was obligated to pay the appropriations, at the time of acquisition, by reimbursement.

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1226.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
8735(a) 40:74a. Aug. 5, 1939, ch. 449, §§4–6, 53 Stat. 1211.
8735(b) 40:74b.
8735(c) 40:74c.

In subsection (a), the words "in his discretion", "and convey, in whole or in part", and "proper" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (b), reference to sections 72c to 72e is omitted as unnecessary because the Secretary of the Interior does not have authority to sell land under those sections.

About This Section

40 U.S.C. § 8735 is part of Title 40 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 40 U.S.C. § 8735. 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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 8735

What does United States Code § 8735 cover?

Section 8735 ("Sale of land by Secretary of the Interior") 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 § 8735?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 8735" (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 § 8735 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.