The Antiquities Act of 1906 is codified
at 16 U.S.C. SS
431–433. The first section contains the
heart of the act......
UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED
TITLE 16. CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS,
MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
SUBCHAPTER LXI--NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS
Current through P.L. 106-73, approved
10-19-1999
S 431. National monuments;
reservation of lands; relinquishment of
private claims
The President of the United States is
authorized, in his discretion, to declare by
public proclamation historic landmarks,
historic and prehistoric structures, and
other objects of historic or scientific
interest that are situated upon the lands
owned or controlled by the Government of the
United States to be national monuments, and
may reserve as a part thereof parcels of
land, the limits of which in all cases shall
be confined to the smallest area compatible
with the proper care and management of the
objects to be protected. When such objects
are situated upon a tract covered by a bona
fide unperfected claim or held in private
ownership, the tract, or so much thereof as
may be necessary for the proper care and
management of the object, may be relinquished
to the Government, and the Secretary of the
Interior is authorized to accept the
relinquishment of such tracts in behalf of
the Government of the United States.
