16 U.S.C. § 460u–3 — “Improved property” and “appropriate map” defined; terms and conditions for rights of use and occupancy

This section defines two terms used throughout this subchapter. "Improved property" means a detached, one-family home that meets three tests: (1) construction began before the cutoff date tied to the map covering that property; (2) the property sits within the boundaries shown on the map for that date; and (3) the property is not also inside the boundaries of any other, earlier-dated map in the table. "Appropriate map" means one of five specific maps, each paired with a construction cutoff date: the map dated October 1992 (No. 626–80,039–C) pairs with construction begun before October 1, 1991; the map dated October 1986 (No. 626–80,033–B) pairs with February 1, 1986; the map dated December 1980 (No. 626–91014) pairs with January 1, 1981; the map dated September 1976 (No. 626–91007) pairs with February 1, 1973; and the map dated September 1966 (No. LNPNE–1008–ID) pairs with January 4, 1965. "Improved property" also includes the land the dwelling sits on, if that land is owned by the same person as the dwelling and the Secretary has designated it as reasonably needed for enjoying the home for private residential use — plus any structures on that land that go with the house. These maps are kept on file and open for public inspection at the National Park Service's Director's office. The Secretary decides how much land counts this way, never more than three acres, based on how the home and land have normally been used — except the Secretary may exclude any beach or water (and nearby land) needed for public access or public use. Every right to keep using or occupying such property is subject to whatever terms and conditions the Secretary sets to keep the use consistent with this subchapter's purposes.