Section 496, act May 1, 1936, ch. 254, § 2, 49 Stat. 1250 , authorized Secretary of the Interior to designate as an Indian reservation any area of land which has been reserved for use and occupancy of Indians or Eskimos under section 280a or former section 495 of this title , executive order, etc. Section was formerly classified to section 358a of Title 48 , Territories and Insular Possessions. Section 497, act May 31, 1938, ch. 304, 52 Stat. 593 , authorized Secretary of the Interior to reserve tracts for schools, hospitals, etc., in Alaska for Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts. Section was formerly classified to section 353a of Title 48 . Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date of Repeal Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, § 704(a) , Oct. 21, 1976 , 90 Stat. 2792 , provided that the repeal is effective on and after Oct. 21, 1976 . Savings Provision Repeal by Pub. L. 94–579 not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976 , see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579 , set out as a note under section 1701 of Title 43 , Public Lands.