USC Chapter 2001

in effect

54 U.S.C. § 200101 Findings and declaration of policy

Congress finds and declares it is desirable— (1) that all American people of present and future generations be assured adequate outdoor recreation resources; and (2) for all levels of government and private interests to take prompt and coordinated action to the extent practicable without diminishing or affecting their respective powers and functions to conserve, develop, and utilize those resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people.

54 U.S.C. § 200102 Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) Council.—The term “Council” means the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation established under section 200104. (2) Federal land and water management agency.—The term “Federal land and water management agency” means the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (3) Federal recreational lands and waters.—The term “Federal recreational lands and waters” has the meaning given the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) and also includes Federal lands and waters managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Corps of Engineers, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (4) State.—The term “State”, to the extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary, includes Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. (5) United States.—The term “United States”—(A) includes the District of Columbia; and (B) to the extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary, includes Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

54 U.S.C. § 200103 Authority of Secretary to carry out certain functions and activities

(a) In General.—To carry out this chapter, the Secretary may perform the functions and activities described in this section. (b) Inventory and Evaluation.—The Secretary may prepare and maintain a continuing inventory and evaluation of outdoor recreation needs and resources of the United States. (c) Classification System.—The Secretary may prepare a system for classification of outdoor recreation resources to assist in the effective and beneficial use and management of such resources. (d) Technical Assistance and Advice.—The Secretary may provide technical assistance and advice to and cooperate with States, political subdivisions, and private interests, including nonprofit organizations, with respect to outdoor recreation. (e) Interstate and Regional Cooperation.—The Secretary may encourage interstate and regional cooperation in the planning, acquisition, and development of outdoor recreation resources. (f) Research, Information, and Education Programs and Activities.—The Secretary may—(1) sponsor, engage in, and assist in research relating to outdoor recreation, directly or by contract or cooperative agreements, and make payments for such purposes without regard to the limitations of section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31 concerning advances of funds when the Secretary considers such action to be in the public interest; (2) undertake studies and assemble information concerning outdoor recreation, directly or by contract or cooperative agreement, and disseminate the information without regard to section 3204 of title 39; and (3) cooperate with educational institutions and others to assist in establishing education programs and activities and to encourage public use and benefits from outdoor recreation. (g) Cooperation and Coordination with Federal Agencies.—(1) In general.—The Secretary may—(A) cooperate with and provide technical assistance to Federal agencies and obtain from them information, data, reports, advice, and assistance that are needed and can reasonably be furnished in carrying out the purposes of this chapter; and (B) promote coordination of Federal plans and activities generally relating to outdoor recreation. (2) Funding.—An agency furnishing advice or assistance under this paragraph may expend its own funds for those purposes, with or without reimbursement, as may be agreed to by that agency. (h) Donations.—The Secretary may accept and use donations of money, property, personal services, or facilities for the purposes of this chapter.

54 U.S.C. § 200104 Federal interagency council on outdoor recreation 11 So in original. Probably should be capitalized as “Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation”.

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish an interagency council, to be known as the “Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation”. (b) Composition.—(1) In general.—The Council shall be composed of representatives of each of the following agencies, to be appointed by the head of the respective agency:(A) The National Park Service. (B) The Bureau of Land Management. (C) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (D) The Bureau of Indian Affairs. (E) The Bureau of Reclamation. (F) The Forest Service. (G) The Army Corps of Engineers. (H) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Additional participants.—In addition to the members of the Council appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary may invite participation in the Council’s meetings or other activities from representatives of the following:(A) The Council on Environmental Quality. (B) The Natural Resources Conservation Service. (C) Rural development programs of the Department of Agriculture. (D) The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (E) The Environmental Protection Agency. (F) The Department of Transportation, including the Federal Highway Administration. (G) The Tennessee Valley Authority. (H) The Department of Commerce, including—(i) the Bureau of Economic Analysis; (ii) the National Travel and Tourism Office; and (iii) the Economic Development Administration. (I) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (J) An applicable State agency or office. (K) An applicable agency or office of a local government. (L) Other organizations or interests, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (3) State coordination.—In determining additional participants under this subsection, the Secretary shall seek to ensure that States are invited and represented in the Council’s meetings or other activities. (4) Leadership.—The leadership of the Council shall rotate every 2 years among the Council members appointed under paragraph (1), or as otherwise determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture, Defense, and Commerce. (5) Funding.—Notwithstanding section 708 of title VII of division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328), the Council members appointed under paragraph (1) may enter into agreements to share the management and operational costs of the Council. (c) Coordination.—The Council shall meet as frequently as appropriate for the purposes of coordinating on issues related to outdoor recreation, including—(1) recreation programs and management policies across Federal land and water management agencies, including activities associated with the implementation of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.), as appropriate; (2) the response by Federal land and water management agencies to public health emergencies or other emergencies, including those that result in disruptions to, or closures of, Federal recreational lands and waters; (3) investments relating to outdoor recreation on Federal recreational lands and waters, including funds made available under section 40804(b)(7) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 6592a(b)(7)); (4) management of emerging technologies on Federal recreational lands and waters; (5) research activities, including quantifying the economic impacts of recreation; (6) dissemination to the public of recreation-related information, in a manner that ensures the recreation-related information is easily accessible with modern communication devices; (7) the improvement of access to Federal recreational lands and waters; and (8) the identification and engagement of partners outside the Federal Government—(A) to promote outdoor recreation; (B) to facilitate collaborative management of outdoor recreation; and (C) to provide additional resources relating to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities; and (9) any other outdoor recreation-related issues that the Council determines necessary. (d) Effect.—Nothing in this section affects the authorities, regulations, or policies of any Federal agency described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b).