16 U.S.C. § 428d–2 — Acceptance of donations by Secretary of the Interior

This section lets the Secretary of the Interior grow the battlefield through donations. The Secretary may accept gifts of land, interests in land, buildings, structures, and other property, as long as they are within one mile of the Fort Donelson National Battlefield's boundaries (including the boundaries as extended by section 428d–1). The Secretary may also accept donations of money to purchase or maintain such property. Whatever land is donated, the Secretary must be satisfied that the title (legal ownership) and proof of that title are good. There is also a proviso: the Secretary may use donated money to buy — at a price the Secretary considers reasonable, or, failing that, through condemnation — land within one mile of the battlefield boundaries, if that land is necessary to finish the battlefield project. Once any such land is acquired, whether by donation or purchase, it becomes part of the Fort Donelson National Battlefield. It is then governed by the same laws, rules, and regulations as the rest of the battlefield.