USC Subchapter XCI

in effect

16 U.S.C. § 460gg Establishment

(a) In generalTo assure that the natural beauty, and historical and archeological values of the Hells Canyon area and the seventy-one-mile segment of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam and the Oregon-Washington border, together with portions of certain of its tributaries and adjacent lands, are preserved for this and future generations, and that the recreational and ecologic values and public enjoyment of the area are thereby enhanced, there is hereby established the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. (b) Boundaries; publication in Federal RegisterThe Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (hereinafter referred to as the “recreation area”), which includes the Hells Canyon Wilderness (hereinafter referred to as the “wilderness”), the components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System designated in section 3 of this Act, and the wilderness study areas designated in section 460gg–5(d) of this title, shall comprise the lands and waters generally depicted on the map entitled “Hells Canyon National Recreation Area” dated May 1978, which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as “the Secretary”), shall, as soon as practicable, but no later than eighteen months after December 31, 1975, publish a detailed boundary description of the recreation area, the wilderness study areas designated in section 460gg–5(d) of this title, and the wilderness established in section 460gg–1 of this title in the Federal Register.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–1 Wilderness designation

(a) Map designationThe lands depicted as the “Hells Canyon Wilderness” on the map referred to in section 460gg(b) of this title are hereby designated as wilderness. (b) Application of Wilderness ActThe wilderness designated by this subchapter shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter or in accordance with the provisions of the Wilderness Act [16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.], whichever is the more restrictive, except that any reference in such provisions of the Wilderness Act to the effective date of that Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the effective date of this subchapter. The provisions of section 460gg–6(b) and section 460gg–8 of this title shall apply to the wilderness. The Secretary shall make such boundary revisions to the wilderness as may be necessary due to the exercise of his authority under subsection 3(b) of this Act.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–2 Federal power and water resources projects

(a) Licenses by Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionNotwithstanding any other provision of law, or any authorization heretofore given pursuant to law, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may not license the construction of any dam, water conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project work under the Federal Power Act (41 Stat. 1063), as amended (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.), within the recreation area: Provided, That the provisions of the Federal Power Act (41 Stat. 1063) shall continue to apply to any project (as defined in such Act), and all of the facilities and improvements required or used in connection with the operation and maintenance of said project, in existence within the recreation area which project is already constructed or under construction on December 31, 1975. (b) Assistance detrimental to protected watersNo department or agency of the United States may assist by loan, grant, license, or otherwise the construction of any water resource facility within the recreation area which the Secretary determines would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which the waters of the area are protected.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–3 Present and future use of Snake River

(a) Waters upstream from boundaries of areaNo provision of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act [16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.], nor of this subchapter, nor any guidelines, rules, or regulations issued hereunder, shall in any way limit, restrict, or conflict with present and future use of the waters of the Snake River and its tributaries upstream from the boundaries of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area created hereby, for beneficial uses, whether consumptive or nonconsumptive, now or hereafter existing, including, but not limited to, domestic, municipal, stockwater, irrigation, mining, power, or industrial uses. (b) Flow requirementsNo flow requirements of any kind may be imposed on the waters of the Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam under the provisions of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act [16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.], of this subchapter, or any guidelines, rules, or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–4 Administration, protection, and development

Except as otherwise provided in section 460gg–1 of this title and section 3 of this Act, and subject to the provisions of section 460gg–7 of this title, the Secretary shall administer the recreation area in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the national forests for public outdoor recreation in a manner compatible with the following objectives: (1) the maintenance and protection of the freeflowing nature of the rivers within the recreation area; (2) conservation of scenic, wilderness, cultural, scientific, and other values contributing to the public benefit; (3) preservation, especially in the area generally known as Hells Canyon, of all features and peculiarities believed to be biologically unique including, but not limited to, rare and endemic plant species, rare combinations of aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric habitats, and the rare combinations of outstanding and diverse ecosystems and parts of ecosystems associated therewith; (4) protection and maintenance of fish and wildlife habitat; (5) protection of archeological and paleontologic sites and interpretation of these sites for the public benefit and knowledge insofar as it is compatible with protection; (6) preservation and restoration of historic sites associated with and typifying the economic and social history of the region and the American West; and (7) such management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources on federally owned lands, including, but not limited to, timber harvesting by selective cutting, mining, and grazing and the continuation of such existing uses and developments as are compatible with the provisions of this subchapter.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–5 Management plan for recreation area

(a) Development and submissionWithin five years from December 31, 1975, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States Senate and House of Representatives a comprehensive management plan for the recreation area which shall provide for a broad range of land uses and recreation opportunities. (b) Consideration of historic, archeological and paleontological resources; inventory; recommendation of areas for listing in National Register of Historic Places; recommendation for protection and research of resourcesIn the development of such plan, the Secretary shall consider the historic, archeological, and paleontological resources within the recreation area which offer significant opportunities for anthropological research. The Secretary shall inventory such resources and may recommend such areas as he deems suitable for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Secretary’s comprehensive plan shall include recommendations for future protection and controlled research use of all such resources. (c) Scenic roads and other means of transitThe Secretary shall, as a part of his comprehensive planning process, conduct a detailed study of the need for, and alternative routes of, scenic roads and other means of transit to and within the recreation area. In conducting such study the Secretary shall consider the alternative for upgrading existing roads and shall, in particular, study the need for and alternative routes of roads or other means of transit providing access to scenic views of and from the Western rim of Hells Canyon. (d) Wilderness areas; review by Secretary; recommendations of President to Congress; notice of hearings and meetingsThe Secretary shall review, as to their suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as wilderness, the areas generally depicted on the map referred to in section 460gg of this title as the “Lord Flat-Somers Point Plateau Wilderness Study Area”, and the “West Side Reservoir Face Wilderness Study Area”, and the “Mountain Sheep Wilderness Study Area” and report his findings to the President. The Secretary shall complete his review and the President shall, within five years from December 31, 1975, advise the United States Senate and House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect to the designation of lands within such area as wilderness. In conducting his review the Secretary shall comply with the provisions of section 1132(d) of this title and shall give public notice at least sixty days in advance of any hearings or other public meeting concerning the wilderness study area. The Secretary shall administer all Federal lands within the study areas so as not to preclude their possible future designation by the Congress as wilderness. Nothing contained herein shall limit the President in proposing, as part of this recommendation to Congress, the designation as wilderness of any additional area within the recreation area which is predominately of wilderness value. (e) Public participation in reviews and preparation of plan; cooperation of other Federal agenciesIn conducting the reviews and preparing the comprehensive management plan required by this section, the Secretary shall provide for full public participation and shall consider the views of all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals including but not limited to, the Nez Perce Tribe of Indians, and the States of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Secretaries or Directors of all Federal departments, agencies, and commissions having a relevant expertise are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate with the Secretary in his review and to make such studies as the Secretary may request on a cost reimbursable basis. (f) Continuation of ongoing activitiesSuch activities as are compatible with the provisions of this subchapter, but not limited to, timber harvesting by selective cutting, mining, and grazing may continue during development of the comprehensive management plan, at current levels of activity and in areas of such activity on December 31, 1975. Further, in development of the management plan, the Secretary shall give full consideration to continuation of these ongoing activities in their respective areas.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–6 Acquisition of property

(a) Authority of Secretary; manner of acquisitionThe Secretary is authorized to acquire such lands or interests in land (including, but not limited to, scenic easements) as he deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this subchapter by purchase with donated or appropriated funds with the consent of the owner, donation, or exchange. (b) Acquisition without consent of owners; limitations; scenic easementsThe Secretary is further authorized to acquire by purchase with donated or appropriated funds such lands or interests in lands without the consent of the owner only if (1) he deems that all reasonable efforts to acquire such lands or interests therein by negotiation have failed, and (2) the total acreage of all other lands within the recreation area to which he has acquired fee simple title or, lesser interests therein without the consent of the owner is less than 5 per centum of the total acreage which is privately owned within the recreation area on December 31, 1975: Provided, That the Secretary may acquire scenic easements in lands without the consent of the owner and without restriction to such 5 per centum limitation: Provided further, That the Secretary may only acquire scenic easements in lands without the consent of the owner after the date of publication of the regulations required by section 460gg–7 of this title when he determines that such lands are being used, or are in imminent danger of being used, in a manner incompatible with such regulations. (c) Donation of Oregon land; donation or exchange of Idaho landAny land or interest in land owned by the State of Oregon or any of its political subdivisions may be acquired only by donation. Any land or interest in land owned by the State of Idaho or any of its political subdivisions may be acquired only by donation or exchange. (d) “Scenic easement” definedAs used in this subchapter the term “scenic easement” means the right to control the use of land in order to protect esthetic values for the purposes of this subchapter, but shall not preclude the continuation of any farming or pastoral use exercised by the owner as of December 31, 1975. (e) Offers to sell land; hardship from delayThe Secretary shall give prompt and careful consideration to any offer made by a person owning land within the recreation area to sell such land to the United States. The Secretary shall specifically consider any hardship to such person which might result from an undue delay in acquiring his property. (f) Exchange of land; equalization paymentsIn exercising his authority to acquire property by exchange, the Secretary may accept title to any non-Federal property, or interests therein, located within the recreation area and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, he may convey in exchange therefor any federally owned property within the same State which he classifies as suitable for exchange and which is under his administrative jurisdiction: Provided, That the values of the properties so exchanged shall be approximately equal, or if they are not approximately equal, they shall be equalized by the payment of cash to the grantor or to the United States as the circumstances require. In the exercise of his exchange authority, the Secretary may utilize authorities and procedures available to him in connection with exchanges of national forest lands. (g) Acquisition of mineral interestsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is authorized to acquire mineral interests in lands within the recreation area, with or without the consent of the owner. Upon acquisition of any such interest, the lands and/or minerals covered by such interest are by this subchapter withdrawn from entry or appropriation under the United States mining laws and from disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral leasing and all amendments thereto. (h) Transfer of Federal property to SecretaryNotwithstanding any other provision of law, any Federal property located within the recreation area may, with the concurrence of the agency having custody thereof, be transferred without consideration to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for use by him in carrying out the purposes of this subchapter. Lands acquired by the Secretary or transferred to his administrative jurisdiction within the recreation area shall become parts of the national forest within or adjacent to which they are located.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–7 Rules and regulations

The Secretary shall promulgate, and may amend, such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this subchapter. Such rules and regulations shall include, but are not limited to— (a) standards for the use and development of privately owned property within the recreation area, which rules or regulations the Secretary may, to the extent he deems advisable, implement with the authorities delegated to him in section 460gg–6 of this title, and which may differ among the various parcels of land within the recreation area; (b) standards and guidelines to insure the full protection and preservation of the historic, archeological, and paleontological resources in the recreation area; (c) provision for the control of the use of motorized and mechanical equipment for transportation over, or alteration of, the surface of any Federal land within the recreation area; (d) provision for the control of the use and number of motorized and nonmotorized river craft: Provided, That the use of such craft is hereby recognized as a valid use of the Snake River within the recreation area; and (e) standards for such management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources on federally owned lands, including but not limited to, timber harvesting by selective cutting, mining, and grazing and the continuation of such existing uses and developments as are compatible with the provisions of this subchapter.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–8 Lands withdrawn from location, entry, and patent under United States mining laws

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1133(d)(2) of this title and subject to valid existing rights, all Federal lands located in the recreation area are hereby withdrawn from all forms of location, entry, and patent under the mining laws of the United States, and from disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral leasing and all amendments thereto.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–9 Hunting and fishing

The Secretary shall permit hunting and fishing on lands and waters under his jurisdiction within the boundaries of the recreation area in accordance with applicable laws of the United States and the States wherein the lands and waters are located except that the Secretary may designate zones where, and establish periods when, no hunting or fishing shall be permitted for reasons for public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment. Except in emergencies, any regulations of the Secretary pursuant to this section shall be put into effect only after consultation with the appropriate State fish and game department.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–10 Ranching, grazing, etc., as valid uses of area

Ranching, grazing, farming, timber harvesting, and the occupation of homes and lands associated therewith, as they exist on December 31, 1975, are recognized as traditional and valid uses of the recreation area.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–11 Civil and criminal jurisdiction of Idaho and Oregon

Nothing in this subchapter shall diminish, enlarge, or modify any right of the States of Idaho, Oregon, or any political subdivisions thereof, to exercise civil and criminal jurisdiction within the recreation area or of rights to tax persons, corporations, franchises, or property, including mineral or other interests, in or on lands or waters within the recreation area.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–12 Development and operation of facilities and services; cooperation with Federal, State, etc., agencies

The Secretary may cooperate with other Federal agencies, with State and local public agencies, and with private individuals and agencies in the development and operation of facilities and services in the area in furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter, including, but not limited to, restoration and maintenance of the historic setting and background of towns and settlements within the recreation area.

16 U.S.C. § 460gg–13 Authorization of appropriations

(a) Acquisition of landsThere is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of not more than $10,000,000 for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands within the recreation area. (b) Development of recreation facilitiesThere is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of not more than $10,000,000 for the development of recreation facilities within the recreation area. (c) Inventory, identification, development and protection of historic and archeological sitesThere is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of not more than $1,500,000 for the inventory, identification, development, and protection of the historic and archeological sites described in section 5 of this Act.