UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Acadia National Park Bar Harbor, Maine July 12, 1950 Mr. Dale J. Foley Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association Bar Harbor, Maine Dear Mr. Foley: I have your letter of June 30, which, in behalf of the Associa- tion, offers Sheep Porcupine Island to the government to become a part of Acadia National Park. Before acquainting the Director of the National Park Service with the Association's offer there are two bits of information I must have. They are (1) the assessed valuation of the island for taxing, the tax rate per $1,000 of valuation, and the amount of the current year's tax bill, and (2) a statement from the officials of the Town of Gouldsboro that they do or do not approve the proposal to donate the island to the government. Furnishing this information to the Director is standard prac- tice in all offers of lands to be donated. Another, and perhaps more important point to the Association is this: All donations of land to the government must include a warranty deed and an abstract of title. The cost for preparing a deed is small, perhaps $5.00. Preparing an abstract of title is another matter. I be- lieve it would be desirable for you to consult an attorney on this point and get an estimate of what a title search will cost. The abstract must cover a period of at least forty years and any defects found must be cured by affidavits or other means. Don't take all this to mean that the government is not inter- ested in the offer. It is only an enumeration of things which need to be done to effect conveyance of title of property destined for government ownership. Sincerely yours, B. L. Hadley Superintendent CC: Edwin Smith