USC Subchapter I

in effect

16 U.S.C. § 551 Protection of national forests; rules and regulations

The Secretary of Agriculture shall make provisions for the protection against destruction by fire and depredations upon the public forests and national forests which may have been set aside or which may be hereafter set aside under the provisions of section 471 11 See References in Text note below. of this title, and which may be continued; and he may make such rules and regulations and establish such service as will insure the objects of such reservations, namely, to regulate their occupancy and use and to preserve the forests thereon from destruction; and any violation of the provisions of this section, sections 473 to 478 and 479 to 482 of this title or such rules and regulations shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Any person charged with the violation of such rules and regulations may be tried and sentenced by any United States magistrate judge specially designated for that purpose by the court by which he was appointed, in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as provided for in section 3401(b) to (e) of title 18.

16 U.S.C. § 551a Cooperation by Secretary of Agriculture with States and political subdivisions in law enforcement

The Secretary of Agriculture, in connection with the administration and regulation of the use and occupancy of the national forests and national grasslands, is authorized to cooperate with any State or political subdivision thereof, on lands which are within or part of any unit of the national forest system, in the enforcement or supervision of the laws or ordinances of a State or subdivision thereof. Such cooperation may include the reimbursement of a State or its subdivision for expenditures incurred in connection with activities on national forest system lands. This section shall not deprive any State or political subdivision thereof of its right to exercise civil and criminal jurisdiction, within or on lands which are a part of the national forest system.

16 U.S.C. § 551c Planning for fire protection

(a) Volunteer firefightersThe Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior shall annually offer training programs to certify volunteers for suppressing forest fires on National Forest System lands, National Park System lands and Bureau of Land Management public lands in the event that the appropriate Secretary determines that such volunteers are needed. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretaries should utilize existing authorities to train volunteer firefighters for use in fire emergencies. The Secretaries should assess the capabilities of educational institutions and other public and private organizations to provide such training programs. (b) “Educational institutions” definedFor the purposes of this section, the term “educational institutions” shall include institutions established pursuant to the Act of July 2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et seq., commonly known as the “Morrill Act”), or the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq., commonly known as the “Second Morrill Act”). (c) Mobilization of local equipmentNot later than one year after May 9, 1990—(1) the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Congress information with respect to regions of the National Forest System, and (2) the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Congress information with respect to the Bureau of Land Management public lands on a State-by-State basis and each region of the National Park System that documents mobilization plans that provide for the use of firefighting equipment in cases of fire emergencies that may occur in each such area that may be highly prone to disastrous forest fires. (d) Presuppression needsNot later than one year after May 9, 1990, information from the Secretary of Agriculture on presuppression needs for each region of the National Forest System and information from the Secretary of the Interior on the presuppression needs for each region of the National Park System and for each State unit of the Bureau of Land Management shall be submitted to Congress. These reports shall include needs, including an estimate of the funds required, for fire prevention, fuel reduction, training and seasonal fire crews.

16 U.S.C. § 551c–1 Limitations on prescribed burns

(a) In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary shall not authorize a prescribed burn on Forest Service land if, for the county or contiguous county in which the land is located, the national fire danger rating system indicates an extreme fire danger level. (b) ExceptionThe Secretary may authorize a prescribed burn under a condition described in subsection (a) if the Secretary coordinates with the applicable State government and local fire officials. (c) ReportAt the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing—(1) the number and locations of prescribed burns during that fiscal year; and (2) each prescribed burn during that fiscal year that was authorized by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b).

16 U.S.C. § 551d Wildland firefighter safety

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) SecretariesThe term “Secretaries” means—(A) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Directors of the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. (2) Wildland firefighterThe term “wildland firefighter” means any person who participates in wildland firefighting activities—(A) under the direction of either of the Secretaries; or (B) under a contract or compact with a federally recognized Indian tribe. (b) Annual report to Congress(1) In generalThe Secretaries shall jointly submit to Congress an annual report on the wildland firefighter safety practices of the Secretaries, including training programs and activities for wildland fire suppression, prescribed burning, and wildland fire use, during the preceding calendar year. (2) TimelineEach report under paragraph (1) shall—(A) be submitted by not later than March of the year following the calendar year covered by the report; and (B) include—(i) a description of, and any changes to, wildland firefighter safety practices, including training programs and activities for wildland fire suppression, prescribed burning, and wildland fire use; (ii) statistics and trend analyses; (iii) an estimate of the amount of Federal funds expended by the Secretaries on wildland firefighter safety practices, including training programs and activities for wildland fire suppression, prescribed burning, and wildland fire use; (iv) progress made in implementing recommendations from the Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or an agency report relating to a wildland firefighting fatality issued during the preceding 10 years; and (v) a description of—(I) the provisions relating to wildland firefighter safety practices in any Federal contract or other agreement governing the provision of wildland firefighters by a non-Federal entity; (II) a summary of any actions taken by the Secretaries to ensure that the provisions relating to safety practices, including training, are complied with by the non-Federal entity; and (III) the results of those actions.

16 U.S.C. § 552 Consent to agreement by States for conservation of forests and water supply

Consent of the Congress of the United States is given to each of the several States of the Union to enter into any agreement or compact, not in conflict with any law of the United States, with any other State or States for the purpose of conserving the forests and the water supply of the States entering into such agreement or compact.

16 U.S.C. § 552a Restoration of withdrawn national forest lands to appropriation

The President, upon recommendation of the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, may, by Executive order, when in his judgment the public interest would best be served thereby and after reasonable notice has been given through the Department of the Interior, restore any reserved national-forest lands covered by a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture for the protection of a watershed within a national forest from which water is secured, to appropriation under any applicable public-lands law.

16 U.S.C. § 552b Administration of withdrawn lands; rules and regulations

Lands withdrawn under the provisions of sections 552a to 552d of this title shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture under such agreements for the protection of the watershed as he may make with the municipality concerned, and the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, in addition to the rules and regulations adopted for the administration of the national forests, to adopt and prescribe such further rules and regulations as he considers necessary to effect the adequate protection of the watershed, including a rule or regulation forbidding persons other than forest officers and representatives of the municipality from going on the lands so reserved or making any use whatever thereof.

16 U.S.C. § 552c Reimbursement of United States for loss of revenue

Whenever national-forest lands are withdrawn under sections 552a to 552d of this title, and the municipality concerned objects to the utilization of the timber or other resources of lands withdrawn, and the Secretary of Agriculture agrees to withhold such resources from utilization, said municipality shall pay to the Forest Service annually an amount which the Secretary of Agriculture shall determine is necessary to reimburse the United States for the loss of net annual revenues which would be derived from the resources so withheld from disposition.

16 U.S.C. § 552d Punishment of violations of regulations

Any violation of the regulations issued under sections 552a to 552d of this title shall be punished as is provided in section 1853 of title 18.

16 U.S.C. § 553 Duties of officials of Forest Service; stock laws; protection of fish and game

Officials of the Forest Service designated by the Secretary of Agriculture shall, in all ways that are practicable, aid in the enforcement of the laws of the States or Territories with regard to stock, for the prevention and extinguishment of forest fires, and for the protection of fish and game, and with respect to national forests, shall aid the other Federal bureaus and departments on request from them, in the performance of the duties imposed on them by law.

16 U.S.C. § 554 Forest supervisors and rangers

Forest supervisors and rangers shall be selected, when practicable, from qualified citizens of the States or Territories in which the national forests, respectively, are situated.

16 U.S.C. § 554a Employees to be appointed without regard to political affiliations

Forest inspectors, superintendents, supervisors, surveyors, rangers, and fire patrol are to be hereafter appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture wholly with reference to their fitness and without regard for their political affiliations.

16 U.S.C. § 554b Medical care for employees engaged in hazardous work; notification and transportation of employees

Appropriations for the Forest Service shall be available for medical supplies and services and other assistance necessary for the immediate relief of artisans, laborers, and other employees engaged in any hazardous work under the Forest Service, and for expenses of notifying employees of the death or serious illness of close relatives and, in such cases where no public transportation is available, for transporting the employees to a point where public transportation is available.

16 U.S.C. § 554c Care of employees’ graves

Appropriations for the Forest Service shall be available within such limitations as may be prescribed therein for the expenses of properly caring for the graves of persons who have lost their lives as a result of fighting fires while employed by the Forest Service.

16 U.S.C. § 554d Recreation facilities for employees of Forest Service and their immediate families

Not to exceed $100,000 annually of funds available to the Forest Service may be expended for providing recreation facilities, equipment, and services for use by employees of the Service located at isolated situations and, where deemed to be in the public interest, by members of the immediate families of such employees.

16 U.S.C. § 554e Employment of workers for emergencies

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after October 21, 1998, the Forest Service is authorized to employ or otherwise contract with persons at regular rates of pay, as determined by the Service, to perform work occasioned by emergencies such as fires, storms, floods, earthquakes or any other unavoidable cause without regard to Sundays, Federal holidays, and the regular workweek.

16 U.S.C. § 555 Forest headquarters, ranger stations, dwellings, or other needed sites

Where no suitable Government land is available for national forest headquarters, ranger stations, dwellings, or for other sites required for the effective conduct of the authorized activities of the Forest Service, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to purchase such lands out of the appropriation applicable to the purpose for which the land is to be used, and to accept donations of land for any national forest or experimental purpose: Provided, That such lands may be acquired subject to such reservations and outstanding interests as the Secretary determines will not interfere with the purpose for which acquired: Provided further, That not to exceed $50,000 may be expended in any one fiscal year pursuant to this authority.

16 U.S.C. § 555a Exchange of lands

Where lands under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service have been acquired and are being administered under laws which contain no provision for their exchange, the Secretary of Agriculture may convey such lands and in exchange therefor may accept on behalf of the United States title to any lands which in his opinion are suitable for use in connection with activities of the Forest Service. The value of the lands so conveyed by the Secretary of Agriculture shall not exceed the value of the lands accepted by him.

16 U.S.C. § 555b Street improvements; availability of Forest Service funds

Funds available to the Forest Service shall be available for expenses of, or payment of assessment for, construction of sidewalks, curbs, or street paving along the boundary of Government-owned residential or otherwise improved lots.

16 U.S.C. § 556 Appropriations for Forest Service; use for transportation or traveling expenses; preparation or publication of newspaper or magazine articles

No part of any funds appropriated for the Forest Service shall be used to pay the transportation or traveling expenses of any forest officer or agent except he be traveling on business directly connected with the Forest Service and in furtherance of the works, aims, and objects specified and authorized by law; nor shall any such funds be paid or used for the purpose of paying for, in whole or in part, the preparation or publication of any newspaper or magazine article, but this shall not prevent the giving out to all persons, without discrimination, including newspapers and magazine writers and publishers, of any facts or official information of value to the public: Provided, That this prohibition shall not apply to scientific or technical articles prepared for or published in scientific publications.

16 U.S.C. § 556b Use of appropriations for expenses of transporting automobiles of employees between points in Alaska

Funds available to the Forest Service may be used, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture for expenses of transporting automobiles of employees of that Service between points in Alaska in connection with transfers of official stations of such employees to meet the needs of the Service.

16 U.S.C. § 556c Reimbursement of employees for property losses resulting from fires, floods, or other casualties

Funds available to the Forest Service may be used in amounts not exceeding $100 in any single claim, for reimbursing employees of the Forest Service for loss of or damage to clothing and other personal effects resulting from fires, floods, or other casualties at or near the place in which such property is temporarily stored during services of the employees in connection with such casualties.

16 U.S.C. § 556d Advances of public moneys to Forest Service for fighting forest fires in emergency cases

Advances of money under any appropriation for the Forest Service may be made to the Forest Service and by authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to chiefs of field parties for fighting forest fires in emergency cases and detailed accounts arising under such advances shall be rendered through and by the Department of Agriculture to the Government Accountability Office.

16 U.S.C. § 556e Emergency appropriations for rehabilitation and wildfire suppression

Beginning in fiscal year 1993, and in each year thereafter, only amounts for emergency rehabilitation and wildfire suppression activities that are in excess of the average of such costs for the previous ten years shall be considered “emergency requirements” pursuant to section 901(b)(2)(D) 11 See References in Text note below. of title 2, and such amounts shall on and after November 13, 1991, be so designated.

16 U.S.C. § 556f Expenses of student interns

On and after October 5, 1992, funds appropriated to the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service may be used to pay transportation, lodging, and subsistence expenses of student interns, defined as employees who assist scientific, professional, or technical employees and who are bona fide students of accredited colleges or universities who are pursuing courses related to the field in which employed.

16 U.S.C. § 556g Reimbursement of employee license costs and certification fees

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in fiscal year 1993 and thereafter, appropriations or funds available to the Department of the Interior or the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, may be used to reimburse employees for the cost of State licenses and certification fees pursuant to their employment and that are necessary to comply with State or Federal laws, regulations, or requirements.

16 U.S.C. § 556h Recognition of private contributors to Forest Service programs

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after October 21, 1998, any appropriations or funds available to the Forest Service may be used to disseminate program information to private and public individuals and organizations through the use of nonmonetary items of nominal value and to provide nonmonetary awards of nominal value and to incur necessary expenses for the nonmonetary recognition of private individuals and organizations that make contributions to Forest Service programs.

16 U.S.C. § 556i Transfer of funds made available to Forest Service

None of the funds made available to the Forest Service in this Act or any other Act with respect to any fiscal year shall be subject to transfer under the provisions of section 2257 of title 7, section 7772 of title 7, or section 8316(b) of title 7.

16 U.S.C. § 557 Employees of Forest Service; subsistence furnished to; personal equipment; supplies, and medical attention

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to furnish subsistence to employees of the Forest Service, to purchase personal equipment and supplies for them, and to make deductions therefor from moneys appropriated for salary payments or otherwise due such employees. He is also authorized, in his discretion, to provide out of moneys appropriated for the general expenses of the Forest Service medical attention for employees of the Forest Service located at isolated situations, including the moving of such employees to hospitals or other places where medical assistance is available, and in case of death to remove the bodies of deceased employees to the nearest place where they can be prepared for shipment or for burial: Provided, That when a transient without permanent residence, or any other person while away from his place of residence, is temporarily employed by the Forest Service and while so employed becomes disabled because of injury or illness not attributable to official work, he may be provided hospitalization and other necessary medical care, subsistence, and lodging for a period of not to exceed fifteen days during such disability, the cost thereof to be payable from any funds available to the Forest Service applicable to the work for which such person is employed.

16 U.S.C. § 557a Field season contracts; authority to make prior to appropriation

The Secretary of Agriculture is hereafter authorized, in connection with the administration of the national forests, to enter into contracts for the procurement of services, materials, and supplies for the ensuing fiscal year, prior to the passage of an appropriation therefor: Provided, That such contracts shall aliquot the cost for such service by fiscal years and shall not be binding on the United States as to that part for the ensuing year unless and until an appropriation applicable to the payment thereof is made: And provided further, That all such contracts shall by their terms provide that the obligation of the United States is contingent upon the passage of an applicable appropriation and that no payment thereunder will be made until such appropriation becomes available for expenditure.

16 U.S.C. § 558a Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to leverage volunteer engagement to supplement projects that are carried out by the Secretaries to fulfill the missions of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management and are accomplished with appropriated funds.

16 U.S.C. § 558b Definition of Secretaries

In this Act, the term “Secretaries” means each of— (1) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

16 U.S.C. § 558c Authorization

The Secretaries are authorized to recruit, train, and accept without regard to the civil service and classification laws, rules, or regulations the services of individuals without compensation as volunteers for or in aid of recreation access, trail construction or maintenance, facility construction or maintenance, educational uses (including outdoor classroom construction or maintenance), interpretive functions, visitor services, conservation measures and development, or other activities in and related to areas administered by the Secretaries. In carrying out this section, the Secretaries shall consider referrals of prospective volunteers made by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

16 U.S.C. § 558d Incidental expenses

The Secretaries are authorized to provide for incidental expenses, such as transportation, uniforms, lodging, training, equipment, and subsistence.

16 U.S.C. § 558e Consideration as Federal employee

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a volunteer shall not be deemed a Federal employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment, including those relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation, and Federal employee benefits. (b) For the purpose of the tort claim provisions of title 28, a volunteer under this Act shall be considered a Federal employee. (c) For the purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, relating to compensation to Federal employees for work injuries, volunteers under this Act shall be deemed civil employees of the United States within the meaning of the term “employee” as defined in section 8101 of title 5, and the provisions of that subchapter shall apply. (d) For the purposes of claims relating to damage to, or loss of, personal property of a volunteer incident to volunteer service, a volunteer under this Act shall be considered a Federal employee, and the provisions of section 3721 of title 31 shall apply. (e) For the purposes of subsections (b), (c), and (d), the term “volunteer” includes a person providing volunteer services to either of the Secretaries who—(1) is recruited, trained, and supported by a cooperator under a mutual benefit agreement or cooperative agreement with either of the Secretaries; and (2) performs such volunteer services under the supervision of the cooperator as directed by either of the Secretaries in the mutual benefit agreement or cooperative agreement in the mutual benefit agreement, including direction that specifies—(A) the volunteer services, including the geographic boundaries of the work to be performed by the volunteers, and the supervision to be provided by the cooperator; (B) the applicable project safety standards and protocols to be adhered to by the volunteers and enforced by the cooperator; (C) the on-site visits to be made by either of the Secretaries, if feasible and only if necessary to verify that volunteers are performing the volunteer services and the cooperator is providing the supervision agreed upon; (D) the equipment the volunteers are authorized to use; (E) the training the volunteers are required to complete; (F) the actions the volunteers are authorized to take; and (G) any other terms and conditions that are determined to be necessary by the applicable Secretary.

16 U.S.C. § 558f Promotion of volunteer opportunities

The Secretaries shall promote volunteer opportunities in areas administered by the Secretaries.

16 U.S.C. § 558g Liability insurance

The Secretaries shall not require a cooperator or volunteer (as those terms are used in section 558e of this title) to have liability insurance to provide the volunteer services authorized under this Act.

16 U.S.C. § 559 Arrests by employees of Forest Service for violations of laws and regulations

All persons employed in the Forest Service of the United States shall have authority to make arrests for the violation of the laws and regulations relating to the national forests, and any person so arrested shall be taken before the nearest United States magistrate judge, within whose jurisdiction the forest is located, for trial; and upon sworn information by any competent person any United States magistrate judge in the proper jurisdiction shall issue process for the arrest of any person charged with the violation of said laws and regulations; but nothing herein contained shall be construed as preventing the arrest by any officer of the United States, without process, of any person taken in the act of violating said laws and regulations.

16 U.S.C. § 559a Reward for information leading to arrest and conviction for violating laws and regulations

The Secretary of Agriculture may pay rewards from appropriations available for the protection and management of the national forests, under such regulations as he may prescribe, for information leading to the arrest and conviction for violation of the laws and regulations relating to fires in or near national forests, or for the unlawful taking of, or injury to, Government property.

16 U.S.C. § 559b Prevention of manufacture, etc., of marijuana and other controlled substances

(a) PurposeThe purpose of sections 559b to 559f of this title is to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter in sections 559b to 559f of this title referred to as the “Secretary”) to take actions necessary, in connection with the administration and use of the National Forest System, to prevent the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana and other controlled substances. (b) Law enforcement authorityNothing in sections 559b to 559f of this title shall diminish in any way the law enforcement authority of the Forest Service. (c) DefinitionsAs used in sections 559b to 559f of this title, the terms “manufacture”, “dispense”, and “distribute” shall have the same meaning given such terms in section 802 of title 21.

16 U.S.C. § 559c Powers of officers and employees of Forest Service

For the purposes of sections 559b to 559f of this title, if specifically designated by the Secretary and specially trained, not to exceed 1,000 special agents and law enforcement officers of the Forest Service when in the performance of their duties shall have authority to— (1) carry firearms; (2) conduct, within the exterior boundaries of the National Forest System, investigations of violations of and enforce section 841 of title 21 and other criminal violations relating to marijuana and other controlled substances that are manufactured, distributed, or dispensed on National Forest System lands and to conduct such investigations and enforcement of such laws outside the exterior boundaries of the National Forest System for offenses committed within the National Forest System or which affect the administration of the National Forest System (including the pursuit of persons suspected of such offenses who flee the National Forest System to avoid arrest); (3) make arrests with a warrant or process for misdemeanor violations, or without a warrant or process for violations of such misdemeanors that any such officer or employee has probable cause to believe are being committed in his presence or view, or for a felony with a warrant or without a warrant if he has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony, for offenses committed within the National Forest System or which affect the administration of the National Forest System;; 11 So in original. (4) serve warrants and other process issued by a court or officer of competent jurisdiction; (5) search with or without warrant or process any person, place, or conveyance according to Federal law or rule of law; and (6) seize with or without warrant or process any evidentiary item according to Federal law or rule of law.

16 U.S.C. § 559d Cooperation with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies

For the purposes of sections 559b to 559f of this title, in exercising the authority provided by section 559c of this title— (1) the Forest Service shall cooperate with any other Federal law enforcement agency having primary investigative jurisdiction over the offense committed; (2) the Secretary may authorize the Forest Service to cooperate with the law enforcement officials of any Federal agency, State, or political subdivision in the investigation of violations of and enforcement of section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841), other laws and regulations relating to marijuana and other controlled substances, and State drug control laws or ordinances for offenses committed within the National Forest System or which affect the administration of the National Forest System.11 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon. (3) the Forest Service shall cooperate with the Attorney General in carrying out the seizure and forfeiture provisions of section 511 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 881) for violations of the Controlled Substances Act [21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.] relating to offenses committed within the National Forest System, or which affect the administration of the National Forest System; (4) the Secretary is authorized to designate law enforcement officers of any other Federal agency, when the Secretary determines such designation to be economical and in the public interest, and with the concurrence of that agency, to exercise the powers and authorities of the Forest Service while assisting the Forest Service in the National Forest System, or for activities administered by the Forest Service; and (5) the Forest Service is authorized to accept law enforcement designation from any other Federal agency or agency of a State or political subdivision thereof for the purpose of cooperating in a multi-agency law enforcement task force investigation of violations of the Controlled Substances Act [21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.] and other offenses committed in the course of or in connection with such violations.

16 U.S.C. § 559e Forest Service authorization

In order to improve Federal law enforcement activities relating to the use and production of narcotics and controlled substances on lands administered by the Forest Service, from amounts appropriated there shall be made available to the Secretary, in addition to sums made available under other authority of law, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, and for each fiscal year thereafter, to be used for employment and training of additional and existing Forest Service law enforcement personnel, for expenses related to such employment, training, equipment, and facilities, and for cooperative programs with State and local law enforcement agencies.

16 U.S.C. § 559f Approval of Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General

The authorities conferred herein shall be exercised pursuant to an agreement approved by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General.

16 U.S.C. § 559g Designation authority of Secretary of Agriculture

(a) PurposeIt is the purpose of this section to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make law enforcement operations more efficient in connection with the administration and use of the National Forest System. (b) Officers of other agenciesThe Secretary is authorized to designate law enforcement officers of any other Federal agency, when the Secretary determines such designation to be economical and in the public interest, and with the concurrence of that agency, to exercise the powers and authorities of the Forest Service while assisting the Forest Service in the National Forest System, or for activities administered by the Forest Service. (c) Acceptance by Forest ServiceThe Forest Service is authorized to accept law enforcement designation from any other Federal agency or agency of a State or political subdivision thereof for the purpose of cooperating in the investigation and enforcement of any Federal or State law or ordinance and regulation of any such agency, when such investigation or enforcement is mutually beneficial to the National Forest System and the cooperating agency or jurisdiction, upon entering into a memorandum of understanding or cooperative agreement with such agency or jurisdiction.

16 U.S.C. § 560 Use of timber for telephone lines for fire protection

The Secretary of Agriculture, whenever he may deem it necessary for the protection of the national forests from fire, may permit the use of timber free of charge for the construction of telephone lines.

16 U.S.C. § 562 Forest experiment station in California

In order to determine and demonstrate the best methods for the conservative management of forest and forest lands and the protection of timber and other forest products, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and directed (1) to establish and maintain, in cooperation with the State of California and with the surrounding States, a forest experiment station at such place or places as he may determine to be most suitable, and (2) to conduct, independently or in cooperation with other branches of the Federal Government, the States, universities, colleges, county and municipal agencies, business organizations, and individuals, such silvicultural, dendrological, forest fire, economic, and other experiments and investigations as may be necessary.

16 U.S.C. § 562a Forest experiment station in Ohio and Mississippi Valleys

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to establish and maintain a forest experiment station in the States of the Ohio Valley and central Mississippi Valley, at such a place or places as may be selected by him, and he is authorized and directed to conduct silvicultural, forest-fire, dendrological, and other experiments and investigations, independently or in cooperation with other branches of the Federal Government, and with States, universities, colleges, county and municipal agencies, associations, and individuals, to determine the best methods for the growing, management, and protection of timber crops on forest lands and farm wood lots. Such annual appropriations as may thereafter be necessary for its maintenance and operation are hereby authorized.

16 U.S.C. § 562b Forest experiment station in Pennsylvania

In order to determine and demonstrate the best methods for the growing, management, and protection of timber crops on forest lands and farm wood lots, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and directed to establish and maintain a forest experiment station at such place or places as may be determined as most suitable by him, in cooperation with the State of Pennsylvania and with the neighboring States, and to conduct such silvicultural and other forest experiments and investigations as may be necessary, either independently or in cooperation with other organizations, institutions, or individuals, and to carry out the purposes of this section an appropriation in the amount of $30,000 is authorized.

16 U.S.C. § 563 Cooperation with States for fire protection on private or State forest lands upon the watersheds of navigable rivers

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, and on such conditions as he deems wise, to stipulate and agree with any State or group of States to cooperate in the organization and maintenance of a system of fire protection on any private or State forest lands within such State or States and situated upon the watershed of a navigable river. No such stipulation or agreement shall be made with any State which has not provided by law for a system of forest-fire protection. In no case shall the amount expended in any State exceed in any fiscal year the amount appropriated by that State for the same purpose during the same fiscal year.

16 U.S.C. § 565a Cooperation by Secretary of Agriculture with Territories

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to cooperate with the Territories of the United States on the same terms and conditions as with States under sections 564 and 565 11 See References in Text note below. of this title.

16 U.S.C. § 565a–1 Cooperative agreements between Secretary of Agriculture and public or private agencies, organizations, institutions, and persons covering Forest Service programs; authority; funding

To facilitate the administration of the programs and activities of the Forest Service, the Secretary is authorized to negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with public or private agencies, organizations, institutions, or persons to construct, operate, and maintain cooperative pollution abatement equipment and facilities, including sanitary landfills, water systems, and sewer systems; to engage in cooperative manpower and job training and development programs; to develop and publish cooperative environmental education and forest history materials; and to perform forestry protection, including fire protection, timber stand improvement, debris removal, and thinning of trees. The Secretary may enter into aforesaid agreements when he determines that the public interest will be benefited and that there exists a mutual interest other than monetary considerations. In such cooperative arrangements, the Secretary is authorized to advance or reimburse funds to cooperators from any Forest Service appropriation available for similar kinds of work or by furnishing or sharing materials, supplies, facilities, or equipment without regard to the provisions of section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31, relating to the advance of public moneys.

16 U.S.C. § 565a–2 Federal employee status of cooperators

In any agreement authorized by section 565a–1 of this title, cooperators and their employees may perform cooperative work under supervision of the Forest Service in emergencies or otherwise as mutually agreed to, but shall not be deemed to be Federal employees other than for the purposes of chapter 171 of title 28 and chapter 81 of title 5.

16 U.S.C. § 565a–3 Agreements otherwise authorized by law

Nothing in sections 565a–1 to 565a–3 of this title shall be construed as limiting or modifying the authority of the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements otherwise authorized by law.

16 U.S.C. § 565b Transfer of fire lookout towers and other improvements for fire control to States, political subdivisions or agencies; reversion

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, subject to such conditions as he may prescribe, to transfer, without reimbursement or at such prices and upon such terms as he may impose, to States and political subdivisions or agencies thereof fire lookout towers and other structures or improvements used by the Forest Service for fire prevention or suppression purposes, and the land used in connection therewith if such land is outside national forest boundaries, when they are no longer needed by the Forest Service for such purposes but are of value to the State or political subdivision or agency thereof in its fire protection system: Provided, That if any property so transferred is not put to use for the purpose for which it was transferred within two years from the date of transfer, or if, within fifteen years from the date of transfer, any such property should cease to be used for the purpose for which it was transferred for a period of two years, title thereto shall revert to and immediately revest in the United States.

16 U.S.C. § 566b Annual appropriations; limitation on use of other funds for the purposes of sections 564, 565, and 566 11 See References in Text note below.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds heretofore or hereafter authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Agriculture or available under any other than the Act of June 7, 1924 (43 Stat. 653), shall be used for carrying out the programs or activities authorized by sections 564, 565, and 566 1 of this title: Provided, That whenever the programs and activities being carried out under the provisions of sections 564, 565, and 566 1 of this title are inadequate to the needs and purposes of programs and activities authorized by other law the use of funds specifically authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Agriculture or made available under other law shall not be prohibited to the extent that the programs and activities under said sections are inadequate to accomplish the purposes of such other programs or activities.

16 U.S.C. § 567a Cooperation by Secretary of Agriculture with States in acquisition and administration of State forests

For the purpose of stimulating the acquisition, development, and proper administration and management of State forests and of insuring coordinated effort by Federal and State agencies in carrying out a comprehensive national program of forest-land management, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate officials of any State or States for acquiring in the name of the United States, by purchase or otherwise, such forest lands within the cooperating State as in his judgment the State is adequately prepared to administer, develop, and manage as State forests in accordance with the provisions of sections 567a to 567c of this title and with such other terms not inconsistent therewith as he shall prescribe, such acquisition to include the mapping, examination, appraisal, and surveying of such lands and the doing of all things necessary to perfect title thereto in the United States: Provided, That, since it is the declared policy of Congress to maintain and, where it is in the national interest to extend the national-forest system, nothing herein shall be construed to modify, limit, or change in any manner whatsoever the future ownership and administration by the United States of existing national forests and related facilities, or hereafter to restrict or prevent their extension through the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of additional lands for any national-forest purpose: Provided further, That sections 567a to 567c of this title shall not be construed to limit or repeal any legislation authorizing land exchanges by the Federal Government, and private lands acquired by exchange within the limits of any area subject to a cooperative agreement of the character herein authorized shall hereafter be subject to the provisions of sections 567a to 567c of this title.

16 U.S.C. § 567b Conditions and requirements for cooperation in acquisition and management of State forests

No cooperative agreement shall be entered into or continued in force under the authority of sections 567a to 567c of this title or any land acquired hereunder turned over to the cooperating State for administration, development, and management unless the State concerned, as a consideration for the benefits extended to it thereunder, complies in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary of Agriculture with the following conditions and requirements which shall constitute a part of every such agreement: (a) In order to reduce the need for public expenditures in the acquisition of lands which may be brought into public ownership through the enforcement of appropriate tax delinquency laws, and, by bringing about the handling of such lands upon a sound social and economic basis, to terminate a system of indeterminate and unsound ownership injurious to the private and public interest alike, no additional lands shall be acquired within any State by the United States under sections 567a to 567c of this title after June 30, 1942, unless the State concerned has prior thereto provided by law for the reversion of title to the State or a political unit thereof of tax-delinquent lands and for blocking into State or other public forests the areas which are more suitable for public than private ownership, and which in the public interest should be devoted primarily to the production of timber crops and/or the maintenance of forests for watershed protection, and for the enforcement of such law: Provided, That in the administration of sections 567a to 567c of this title prior to June 30, 1942, preference will be given to States applying for cooperation hereunder which provided by law for such reversion of title under tax delinquency laws. (b) In order to insure a stable and efficient organization for the development and administration of the lands acquired under sections 567a to 567c of this title, the State shall provide for the employment of a State forester, who shall be a trained forester of recognized standing. (c) The Secretary of Agriculture and the appropriate authorities of each cooperating State shall work out a mutually satisfactory plan defining forest areas within the State which can be most effectively and economically administered by said State, which plan shall constitute a part of the cooperative agreement between the United States and the State concerned: Provided, That nothing herein shall be held to prevent the Secretary of Agriculture from later agreeing with the proper State authorities to desirable modifications in such plan. (d) No payment of Federal funds shall be made for land selected for purchase by the United States under sections 567a to 567c of this title until such proposed purchase has been submitted to and approved by the National Forest Reservation Commission created by section 513 of this title. (e) Subject to the approval of the National Forest Reservation Commission, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to pay out of any available money appropriated for carrying out the purposes of sections 567a to 567c of this title any State, county, and/or town taxes, exclusive of penalties, due or accrued on any forest lands acquired by the United States under donations from the owners thereof and which lands are to be included in a State or other public forest pursuant to said sections. (f) The State shall prepare such standards of forest administration, development, and management as are necessary to insure maximum feasible utility for timber production and watershed protection, and are acceptable to the Secretary of Agriculture and shall apply the same to lands acquired and placed under the jurisdiction of the State pursuant to sections 567a to 567c of this title. (g) That with the exception of such Federal expenditures as may be made for unemployment relief, the State shall pay without assistance from the Federal Government the entire future cost of administering, developing, and managing all forest lands acquired and over which it has been given jurisdiction under sections 567a to 567c of this title. (h) During the period any cooperative agreement made under sections 567a to 567c of this title remains in force, one-half of the gross proceeds from all lands covered by said agreement and to which the United States holds title shall be paid by the State to the United States and covered into the Treasury. All such payments shall be credited to the purchase price the State is to pay the United States for said land, such purchase price to be an amount equal to the total sum expended by the United States in acquiring said lands. Upon payments of the full purchase price, either as herein provided or otherwise, title to said lands shall be transferred from the Federal Government to the State, and the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to take such action and incur such expenditures, as may be necessary to effectuate such transfer. (i) Upon the request of the State concerned, any agreement made pursuant to sections 567a to 567c of this title may be terminated by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture may, with the consent and approval of the National Forest Reservation Commission, after due notice given the State and an opportunity for hearing by said Commission, terminate any such agreement for violations of its terms and/or the provisions of said sections of this title. If such agreement is terminated, the United States shall reimburse the State for so much of the State funds as have been expended in the administration, development, and management of the lands involved as the Secretary of Agriculture may decide to be fair and equitable. (j) The State shall furnish the Secretary of Agriculture with such annual, periodic, or special reports as he may require respecting the State’s operations under its agreement with him. (k) When a State or political unit thereof acquires under tax delinquency laws title to forest lands without cost to the United States and which lands are included within a State or other public forest, the Secretary of Agriculture, on behalf of the Federal Government, may contribute annually out of any funds made available under sections 567a to 567c of this title not to exceed one-half the cost of administering, developing, and managing said lands.

16 U.S.C. § 567c Authorization of appropriation for cooperation in acquisition and management of State forests

For the purposes of sections 567a to 567c of this title, there is authorized to be appropriated, a sum or sums out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not to exceed $5,000,000, as Congress may from time to time appropriate.

16 U.S.C. § 568 Cooperation by Secretary of Agriculture with States in establishing, etc., wood lots, shelter belts, windbreaks, etc.; limitation on expenditure; authorization of appropriations

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and directed, in cooperation with the land grant colleges and universities of the various States or, in his discretion, with other suitable State agencies, to aid farmers through advice, education, demonstrations, and other similar means in establishing, renewing, protecting, and managing wood lots, shelter belts, windbreaks, and other valuable forest growth, and in harvesting, utilizing, and marketing the products thereof. Except for preliminary investigations, the amount expended by the Federal Government under this section in cooperation with any State or other cooperating agency during any fiscal year shall not exceed the amount expended by the State or other cooperating agency for the same purpose during the same fiscal year, and the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make expenditures on the certificate of the appropriate State official that the State expenditures, as provided for in this section, have been made. There is authorized to be appropriated annually out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not more than $500,000 to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the provisions of this section.

16 U.S.C. § 568a Cooperation by Secretary of Agriculture with Territories and other possessions

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to cooperate with Territories and other possessions of the United States on the same terms and conditions as with States under sections 566, 567,11 See References in Text note below. and 568 of this title.

16 U.S.C. § 569 Donations to United States of lands for timber purposes

To enable owners of lands chiefly valuable for the growing of timber crops to donate or devise such lands to the United States in order to assure future timber supplies for the agricultural and other industries of the State or for other national forest purposes, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, in his discretion, to accept on behalf of the United States title to any such land so donated or devised, subject to such reservations by the donor of the present stand of merchantable timber or of mineral or other rights for a period not exceeding twenty years as the Secretary of Agriculture may find to be reasonable and not detrimental to the purposes of this section, and to pay out of any moneys appropriated for the general expenses of the Forest Service the cost of recording deeds or other expenses incident to the examination and acceptance of title. Any lands to which title is so accepted shall be in units of such size or so located as to be capable of economical administration as national forests either separately or jointly with other lands acquired under this section, or jointly with an existing national forest. All lands to which title is accepted under this section shall, upon acceptance of title, become national forest lands, subject to all laws applicable to lands acquired under the Act of March 1, 1911, and amendments thereto. In the sale of timber from national forest lands acquired under this section preference shall be given to applicants who will furnish the products desired therefrom to meet the necessities of citizens of the United States engaged in agriculture in the States in which such national forest is situated. All property, rights, easements, and benefits authorized by this section to be retained by or reserved to owners of lands donated or devised to the United States shall be subject to the tax laws of the States where such lands are located.

16 U.S.C. § 570 Ascertainment by Secretary of Agriculture of public lands valuable for stream-flow protection and report thereof

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to ascertain and determine the location of public lands chiefly valuable for stream-flow protection or for timber production, which can be economically administered as parts of national forests, and to report his findings to the National Forest Reservation Commission established under the Act of March 1, 1911, and if the commission shall determine that the administration of said lands by the Federal Government will protect the flow of streams used for navigation or for irrigation, or will promote a future timber supply, the President shall lay the findings of the commission before the Congress of the United States.

16 U.S.C. § 571c Erection of permanent facilities on land not owned by United States; long term leases

Notwithstanding the provisions of existing law and without regard to sections 3111 and 3112 of title 40, but within the limitations of cost otherwise applicable, appropriations of the Forest Service may be expended for the erection of buildings, lookout towers, and other structures on land owned by States, counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions, corporations, or individuals: Provided, That prior to such erection there is obtained the right to use the land for the estimated life of or need for the structure, including the right to remove any such structure within a reasonable time after the termination of the right to use the land.

16 U.S.C. § 572 Cooperation between Secretary of Agriculture and public or private agencies in working land under State or private ownership

(a) Payment of expenses by interested parties; work contemplatedThe Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, where the public interest justifies, to cooperate with or assist public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and persons in performing work on land in State, county, municipal, or private ownership, situated within or near a national forest, for which the administering agency, owner, or other interested party deposits in one or more payments a sufficient sum to cover the total estimated cost of the work to be done for the benefit of the depositor, for administration, protection, improvement, reforestation, and such other kinds of work as the Forest Service is authorized to do on lands of the United States: Provided, That the United States shall not be liable to the depositor or land-owner for any damage incident to the performance of such work. (b) Cooperation where national forests or lands are used by permitteesCooperation and assistance on the same basis as that authorized in subsection (a) is authorized also in the performance of any such kinds of work in connection with the occupancy or use of the national forests or other lands administered by the Forest Service. (c) Disposition and availability of moneys; advancements; adjustmentsMoneys deposited under this section shall be covered into the Treasury and shall constitute a special fund, which is made available until expended for payment of the cost of work performed by the Forest Service and for refunds to depositors of amounts deposited by them in excess of their share of said cost: Provided, That when deposits are received for a number of similar types of work on adjacent or overlapping areas, or on areas which in the aggregate are determined to cover a single work unit, they may be expended on such combined areas for the purposes for which deposited, in which event refunds to the depositors of the total amount of the excess deposits involved will be made on a proportionate basis: Provided further, That when so provided by written agreement payment for work undertaken pursuant to this section may be made from any Forest Service appropriation available for similar types of work, and reimbursement received from said agencies, organizations, institutions, or persons covering their proportionate share of the cost and the funds received as reimbursement shall be deposited to the credit of the Forest Service appropriation from which initially paid or to appropriations for similar purposes currently available at the time of deposit: Provided further, That when by the terms of a written agreement either party thereto furnishes materials, supplies, equipment, or services for fire emergencies in excess of its proportionate share, adjustment may be made by reimbursement or by replacement in kind of supplies, materials, and equipment consumed or destroyed in excess of the furnishing party’s proportionate share.

16 U.S.C. § 572a Deposits from timber purchasers to defray cost of scaling services

The Forest Service may accept money from timber purchasers for deposit into the Treasury in the trust account, “Forest Service cooperative fund”, which moneys are made available for scaling services requested by purchasers in addition to those required by the Forest Service, and for refunds of amounts deposited in excess of the cost of such work.

16 U.S.C. § 574 Damages caused private property in protection, administration, and improvement of national forests; reimbursement

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to reimburse owners of private property for damage or destruction thereof caused by employees of the United States in connection with the protection, administration, or improvement of the national forests, payment to be made from any funds appropriated for the protection, administration, and improvement of the national forests: Provided, That no payment in excess of $2,500 shall be made on any such claim.

16 U.S.C. § 575 Search for lost persons, and transportation of sick, injured, or dead persons, within national forests; authorization to incur expense

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized in cases of emergency to incur such expenses as may be necessary in searching for persons lost in the national forests and in transporting persons seriously ill, injured, or who die within the national forests to the nearest place where the sick or injured person, or the body, may be transferred to interested parties or local authorities.

16 U.S.C. § 576 Reforestation; establishment of forest tree nurseries; tree planting; seed sowing and forest improvement work

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to establish forest tree nurseries and do all other things needful in preparation for planting on national forests on the scale possible under the appropriations authorized by section 576a of this title: Provided, That nothing in this section shall be deemed to restrict the authority of the said Secretary under other authority of law.

16 U.S.C. § 576a Authorization of appropriation for reforestation

There is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year after year ending June 30, 1934, not to exceed $400,000, to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and operate nurseries, to collect or to purchase tree seed or young trees, to plant trees, and to do all other things necessary for reforestation by planting or seeding national forests and for the additional protection, care, and improvement of the resulting plantations or young growth.

16 U.S.C. § 576b Purchasers of national-forest timber; deposits of money in addition to payments for timber; use of deposits; seedlings and young trees for burned-over areas in national parks

(a) The Secretary of Agriculture may, when in his or her judgment such action will be in the public interest, require any purchaser of national-forest timber to make deposits of money in addition to the payments for the timber, to cover the cost to the United States of (1) planting (including the production or purchase of young trees), (2) sowing with tree seeds (including the collection or purchase of such seeds), (3) cutting, destroying, or otherwise removing undesirable trees or other growth, on the national-forest land cut over by the purchaser, in order to improve the future stand of timber, (4) protecting and improving the future productivity of the renewable resources of the forest land on such sale area, including sale area improvement operations, maintenance and construction, reforestation and wildlife habitat management, or (5) watershed restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, control of insects, disease and noxious weeds, community protection activities, and the maintenance of forest roads, within the Forest Service region in which the timber sale occurred: Provided, That such activities may be performed through the use of contracts, forest product sales, and cooperative agreements. Such deposits shall be covered into the Treasury and shall constitute a special fund, which is appropriated and made available until expended, to cover the cost to the United States of such tree planting, seed sowing, and forest improvement work, as the Secretary of Agriculture may direct. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, upon application of the Secretary of the Interior, to furnish seedlings and/or young trees for replanting of burned-over areas in any national park. (c) 11 See 2004 Amendment notes below. Any portion of the balance at the end of a fiscal year in the special fund established pursuant to this section that the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be in excess of the cost of doing work described in subsection (a) (as well as any portion of the balance in the special fund that the Secretary determined, before October 1, 2004, to be excess of the cost of doing work described in subsection (a), but which has not been transferred by that date) shall be transferred to miscellaneous receipts, National Forest Fund, as a National Forest receipt, but only if the Secretary also determines that—(1) the excess amounts will not be needed for emergency wildfire suppression during the fiscal year in which the transfer would be made; and (2) the amount to be transferred to miscellaneous receipts, National Forest Fund, exceeds the outstanding balance of unreimbursed funds transferred from the special fund in prior fiscal years for wildfire suppression.

16 U.S.C. § 576c Supplemental National Forest Reforestation Fund; establishment; duration; authorization of appropriations

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a “Supplemental National Forest Reforestation Fund”, and transfer to that fund beginning with the fiscal year, commencing July 1, 1972, and ending on September 30, 1987, such amounts as may be appropriated therefor. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for such purpose for each of the fiscal years during such period the sum of $65,000,000.

16 U.S.C. § 576d Expenditure of Supplemental National Forest Reforestation Fund moneys; availability of moneys from other sources unaffected

Moneys transferred to the National Forest Reforestation Fund under the provisions of sections 576c to 576e 11 See References in Text note below. of this title shall be available to the Secretary of Agriculture, for expenditure upon appropriation, for the purpose of supplementing programs of tree planting and seeding of national forest lands determined by the Secretary to be in need of reforestation. Such moneys shall be available until expended, and shall be provided without prejudice to appropriations or funds available from other sources for the same purposes, including those available pursuant to section 576b of this title.

16 U.S.C. § 577 Public lands in northern Minnesota; withdrawal from entry and appropriation

All public lands of the United States situated north of township 60 north in the Counties of Cook and Lake, State of Minnesota, including the natural shore lines of Lake Superior within such area; all public lands of the United States situated in that part of St. Louis County, State of Minnesota, lying north of a line beginning at the northeast corner of Township 63 north, Range 12 west, 4th P. M., thence westerly along the township line to the southwest corner of Township 64 north, Range 18 west, 4th P. M., thence northerly to the northwest corner of Township 65 north, Range 18 west, 4th P. M., thence westerly to the southwest corner, Township 66 north, Range 21 west, 4th P. M., thence northerly along the Township line to its intersection with the international boundary between the United States and the Dominion of Canada; all public lands of the United States on the shore lines of the lakes and streams forming the international boundary, so far as such lands lie within the areas heretofore described in this section; all public lands of the United States in that part of the Superior National Forest located in Townships 61 and 62, Ranges 12 and 13 west, 4th P. M.; and all public lands of the United States on the shore lines of Burntside Lake and Lake Vermilion, State of Minnesota, are withdrawn from all forms of entry or appropriation under the public land laws of the United States, subject to prior existing legal rights initiated under the public land laws, so long as such claims are maintained as required by the applicable law or laws and subject to such permits and licenses as may be granted or issued by the Department of Agriculture under laws or regulations generally applicable to national forests.

16 U.S.C. § 577a Conserving shore line beauty for recreational use of public lands in northern Minnesota; regulation of logging

The principle of conserving the natural beauty of shore lines for recreational use shall apply to all Federal lands which border upon any boundary lake or stream contiguous to this area, or any other lake or stream within this area which is now or eventually to be in general use for boat or canoe travel, and that for the purpose of carrying out this principle logging of all such shores to a depth of four hundred feet from the natural water line is forbidden except as the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture may see fit in particular instances to vary the distance for practical reasons: Provided, That in no case shall logging of any timber other than diseased, insect infested, dying, or dead be permitted closer to the natural shore line than two hundred feet, except where necessary to open areas for banking grounds, landings, and other uses connected with logging operations.

16 U.S.C. § 577b Preserving water level of lakes and streams of public lands in northern Minnesota; reservoirs; water power

In order to preserve the shore lines, rapids, waterfalls, beaches, and other natural features of the region in an unmodified state of nature, no further alteration of the natural water level of any lake or stream within or bordering upon the designated area shall be authorized by any permit, license, lease, or other authorization granted by any official or commission of the United States, which will result in flooding lands of the United States within or immediately adjacent to the Superior National Forest, unless and until specific authority for granting such permit, license, lease, or other authorization shall have first been obtained by special Act from the Congress of the United States covering each such project: Provided, That nothing in this section shall be construed as interfering with the duties of the International Joint Commission created pursuant to the convention concerning the boundary waters between the United States and Canada and concluded between the United States and Great Britain on January 11, 1909, and action taken or to be taken in accordance with provisions of the convention, protocol, and agreement between the United States and Canada, which were signed at Washington on February 24, 1925, for the purpose of regulating the levels of the Lake of the Woods: Provided, That with the written approval and consent of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, reservoirs not exceeding one hundred acres in area may be constructed and maintained for the transportation of logs or in connection with authorized recreational uses of national-forest lands, and maximum water levels not higher than the normal high-water mark may be maintained temporarily where essential strictly for logging purposes, in the streams between lakes by the construction and operation of small temporary dams: Provided, however, That nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Secretary of Agriculture from listing for homestead entry under the provisions of the Act of June 11, 1906 (34 Stat. 233), any of the above-described lands found by him to be chiefly valuable for agriculture and not needed for public purposes: Provided further, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to any proposed development for water-power purposes for which an application for license was pending under the terms of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] on or before January 1, 1928.

16 U.S.C. § 577c Acquisition of additional lands in northern Minnesota

To protect and administer more effectively the publicly owned lands within certain parts of the area described in section 577 of this title, and to accomplish certain public purposes explicit and implicit in sections 577a and 577b of this title, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and directed to acquire any lands or interest in lands, and appurtenances thereto, situated within the area described in section 577d of this title, where in his opinion development or exploitation, or the potentialities for development or exploitation, impair or threaten to impair the unique qualities and natural features of the remaining wilderness canoe country.

16 U.S.C. § 577d Boundary limits of additional lands acquired in northern Minnesota

The authority granted in section 577c of this title shall be supplemental to the authority granted by existing Acts relating to the acquisition of lands for national-forest purposes and shall not be deemed as repealing any portions of those Acts except as provided hereinafter; and said supplemental authority granted by section 577c of this title, but not the authority granted by existing Acts, shall be confined to the following described areas in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, State of Minnesota: Township 63 north, range 2 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 5 to 8, inclusive. Township 63 north, range 3 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 12, inclusive. Township 63 north, ranges 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 west, fourth principal meridian, entire townships. Township 63 north, range 9 west, fourth principal meridian, south half section 19 and sections 20 to 36, inclusive. Township 63 north, range 13 west, fourth principal meridian, section 6. Township 63 north, range 14 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 12, inclusive, and 14 to 22, inclusive. Township 63 north, range 15 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 24, inclusive. Township 63 north, range 16 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 3 inclusive, 10 to 15, inclusive, and 22 to 24, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 3 east, fourth principal meridian, south half section 7. Township 64 north, range 2 east, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 12, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 1 east, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 4, inclusive, south half section 7, sections 8 to 12, inclusive, 15 to 17, inclusive, and east half section 18. Township 64 north, range 1 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 17 to 20, inclusive, and 29 to 32, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 2 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 7 to 11, inclusive, and 13 to 36, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 3 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 7 to 36, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 6, 7, and 10 to 36, inclusive. Township 64 north, ranges 5, 6, 7, and 8 west, fourth principal meridian, entire townships. Township 64 north, range 9 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 24, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 10 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 18, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 11 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 4, inclusive, and 9 to 16, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 13 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 5 to 8, inclusive, 15 to 22, inclusive, and 28 to 32, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 14 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 6 to 36, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 15 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 3, inclusive, and 10 to 36, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 16 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 22 to 27, inclusive, and 34 to 36, inclusive. Township 65 north, range 2 east, fourth principal meridian, entire township. Township 65 north, range 1 east, fourth principal meridian, sections 19 to 30, inclusive, and 33 to 36, inclusive. Township 65 north, range 1 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 19 to 30, inclusive. Township 65 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 3, inclusive, 10 to 14, inclusive, and 31. Township 65 north, range 5 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 6, 7, and 18 to 36, inclusive. Township 65 north, ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 west, fourth principal meridian, entire townships. Township 65 north, range 12 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 17, inclusive, 20 to 27, inclusive, and 34 to 36, inclusive. Township 65 north, range 13 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 3, inclusive, and 10 to 12, inclusive. Township 65 north, range 14 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 18, 19, 30, and 31. Township 65 north, range 15 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 13, 14, 23 to 26, inclusive, 35 to 36. Township 66 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 3, 9, 16, 21, 22, 26 to 28, inclusive, and 33 to 36, inclusive. Township 66 north, range 5 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 2, 8, 9, 16 to 20, inclusive, 30 and 31. Township 66 north, range 6 west, fourth principal meridian, entire township. Township 66 north, ranges 11, 12, and 13 west, fourth principal meridian, entire townships. Township 66 north, range 14 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 28, inclusive, and 33 to 36, inclusive. Township 66 north, range 15 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 17, inclusive, and 20 to 24, inclusive. Township 66 north, range 16 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 1 to 5, inclusive, and 9 to 12, inclusive. Township 67 north, ranges 13, 14, and 15 west, fourth principal meridian, entire townships. Township 67 north, range 16 west, fourth principal meridian, sections 6 to 8, inclusive, 16 to 18, inclusive, 20, 21, 28, 29, and 32 to 34, inclusive. Township 67 north, range 17 west, fourth principal meridian, those portions of sections 1, 12, and 13 east of Crane Lake. Township 68 north, ranges 13, 14, 15, and 16 west, fourth principal meridian, entire townships. Township 68 north, range 17 west, fourth principal meridian, that portion of section 36 east of Crane Lake.

16 U.S.C. § 577d–1 Extension to other sections of land

Except as hereinafter provided, the provisions of sections 577c, 577d, 577e to 577h of this title, are extended and made applicable to the following described lands: Township 61 north, range 6 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 5 to 8, inclusive; west half section 4; west half section 9. Township 61 north, range 7 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 12, inclusive. Township 61 north, range 8 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 3 to 8, inclusive. Township 61 north, range 9 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 12, inclusive. Township 61 north, range 10 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1, 2, 11, and 12. Township 62 north, range 3 west, fourth principal meridian: West half of section 3; sections 4 to 9, inclusive. Township 62 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 6, inclusive; sections 8 to 15, inclusive. Township 62 north, range 5 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 24, inclusive. Township 62 north, range 6 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 20, inclusive; north half section 21; sections 22 to 24, inclusive; sections 29 to 32, inclusive. Township 62 north, range 7 west, fourth principal meridian: Entire township. Township 62 north, range 8 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 34, inclusive; north half section 35; north half section 36. Township 62 north, range 9 west, fourth principal meridian: Entire township. Township 62 north, range 10 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 6 inclusive; sections 8 to 17, inclusive; sections 21 to 28, inclusive; sections 33 to 36, inclusive. Township 62 north, range 11 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 and 2. Township 63 north, range 1 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 4 to 9, inclusive; sections 16 to 21, inclusive. Township 63 north, range 2 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 4, inclusive; sections 9 to 16, inclusive; north half of section 17; north half of section 18; sections 21 to 24, inclusive. Township 63 north, range 3 west, fourth principal meridian: North half section 13; north half section 14; north half, southwest quarter section 15; sections 16 to 21, inclusive; west half section 22; west half section 27; sections 28 to 33, inclusive; west half section 34. Township 63 north, range 9 west, fourth principal meridian: Lot 3 section 15; lots 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 section 16; lots 6 and 7 section 19. Township 63 north, range 10 west, fourth principal meridian: Section 6, north half section 7; lots 7 and 8 section 24; northeast quarter, lots 1, 3 and 4, southwest quarter southwest quarter, east half southwest quarter, southeast quarter section 25; lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, southeast quarter southeast quarter section 26; lots 3 to 6, inclusive, lot 8, southwest quarter, southwest quarter southeast quarter section 27; lots 5 to 8, inclusive, south half section 28; lots 5 to 8, inclusive, south half section 29; lots 10 to 14, inclusive, southeast quarter southeast quarter section 30; sections 31 to 36, inclusive. Township 63 north, range 11 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 4, inclusive; north half of sections 9 to 12, inclusive; lots 9 to 12, inclusive, section 25; lots 5 and 6, section 26; section 35 except lot 3; section 36. Township 63 north, range 13 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 5, 7, and 18. Township 63 north, range 14 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 12, 23, and 24. Township 64 north, range 1 east, fourth principal meridian: Lot 15, section 5. Township 64 north, range 1 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, and 34. Township 64 north, range 2 west, fourth principal meridian: South half of sections 3 to 6, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 3 west, fourth principal meridian: South half of sections 1 to 4, inclusive; sections 5 and 6. Township 64 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 5, inclusive; sections 8 and 9. Township 64 north, range 9 west, fourth principal meridian: North half of sections 25 to 30, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 10 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 19 to 24, inclusive; north half of sections 25, 26, and 27; sections 28 to 33, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 11 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 8, 17, 21 to 28, inclusive; sections 33 to 36, inclusive. Township 64 north, range 13 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 14 and 23; north half northwest quarter, southwest quarter northwest quarter section 26; section 27. Township 65 north, range 3 west, fourth principal meridian: Section 18. Township 65 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian: South half section 6; sections 7, 18, 19, and 30. Township 65 north, range 5 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 5, inclusive; sections 8 to 17, inclusive. Township 65 north, range 12 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 18, 19, 28, 29, 30, 32, and 33. Township 65 north, range 13 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 4 to 9, inclusive; sections 13, 14, 16, 17, and 24. Township 65 north, range 14 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 1 to 3, inclusive. Township 66 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 4 to 8, inclusive; sections 17 to 20, inclusive. Township 66 north, range 5 west, fourth principal meridian: Section 1; sections 3 to 7, inclusive; sections 10 to 15, inclusive; sections 21 to 29, inclusive; sections 32 to 35, inclusive; west half section 36. Township 66 north, range 14 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 29 and 30. Township 66 north, range 15 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 18 and 19; sections 25 to 30, inclusive. Township 66 north, range 16 west, fourth principal meridian: Sections 13, 24, and 25. Township 67 north, range 4 west, fourth principal meridian: Entire township.

16 U.S.C. § 577e Approval by National Forest Reservation Commission for acquisition of additional lands

Lands shall be acquired by purchase or condemnation under the supplemental authority granted in section 577c of this title only with prior approval of the National Forest Reservation Commission created by section 4 of the Act approved March 1, 1911, as amended, and lands so acquired shall become parts of the Superior National Forest and be subject to the provisions of said Act, as amended, and of such other laws as apply to land acquired under the provisions of said Act, as amended, except as hereinafter provided.

16 U.S.C. § 577f Exchange of lands

Upon finding and determination by the Secretary of Agriculture that the public purposes and objectives explicit and implicit in sections 577 to 577b of this title, more effectively can be accomplished by exchanging lands of the United States situated within the boundaries described in said sections for other lands in State, county, or private ownership situated within the said boundaries which are more suitable for public ownership, management, and use, for the purposes contemplated by said sections, such lands of the United States shall be subject to exchange under the provisions of sections 485 and 486 of this title, or the provisions of section 516 of this title.

16 U.S.C. § 577g Payment for additional lands acquired in northern Minnesota

The Secretary of the Treasury, upon the certification of the Secretary of Agriculture, shall pay to the State of Minnesota, at the close of each fiscal year from any national-forest receipts not otherwise appropriated a sum of money equivalent to three-quarters of 1 per centum of the fair appraised value of such national-forest lands as may be situated within the area described in section 577d of this title at the end of each fiscal year; and the payments made hereunder shall be distributed to each of the three aforesaid counties in conformity with the fair appraised value of such national-forest lands in each county: Provided, That the fair appraised value of the lands shall be determined by the Secretary of Agriculture at ten-year intervals and his determination shall be conclusive and final: Provided further, That the first payment to the State of Minnesota under the provisions of this section shall not be due until the close of the first full fiscal year after June 22, 1948: And provided further, That the provisions of section 500 of this title, shall not be applicable to the national-forest lands to which this section applies.

16 U.S.C. § 577g–1 Payment to State of Minnesota for extension to other sections of land

The Secretary of the Treasury, upon the certification of the Secretary of Agriculture, shall pay to the State of Minnesota, at the close of each fiscal year from any national-forest receipts not otherwise appropriated a sum of money equivalent to three-quarters of 1 per centum of the fair appraised value of such national-forest lands as may be situated within the area described in section 577d–1 of this title at the end of each fiscal year; and the payments made hereunder shall be distributed to each of the three aforesaid counties in conformity with the fair appraised value of such national-forest lands in each county: Provided, That the fair appraised value of the lands shall be determined by the Secretary of Agriculture at ten-year intervals and his determination shall be conclusive and final: Provided further, That the first payment to the State of Minnesota under the provisions of this section shall be due at the close of the fiscal year 1959: And provided further, That the provisions of section 500 of this title, shall not be applicable to the national-forest lands to which this section applies.

16 U.S.C. § 577h Authorization of appropriations; limitation on amount for purchase of additional lands, water or interests therein; availability of other funds; annual report to Congress

(a) Appropriations authorized; purposesThere are authorized to be appropriated annually such sums as are necessary to implement sections 577c, 577d, and 577e to 577h of this title: Provided, That the total appropriations under the authority of said sections shall not exceed $9,000,000 for the purchase and condemnation of lands, water, or interests therein, and that funds made available through the provisions of chapter 2003 of title 54, may also be used for such acquisitions: Provided further, That such appropriations may be used for the payment of court judgments in condemnation actions brought under authority of sections 577c, 577d, and 577e to 577h of this title without regard to the date such actions were initially instituted. (b) Reports on acquisitionsNot later than March 1 of each year 1977 through 1980, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Congress a report concerning the acquisition of lands or interests in lands under sections 577c, 577d, and 577e to 577h of this title. The final report of the Secretary shall specify whether additional authorizations or appropriations are necessary to carry out the purposes of said sections.

16 U.S.C. § 579a Operation of aerial facilities and services

The Forest Service by contract or otherwise may provide for procurement and operation of aerial facilities and services for the protection and management of the national forests and other lands administered by it, including the furnishing, at the airbase, of facilities, equipment, materials and the preparation, mixing and loading into aircraft, with authority to renew any contract for such purpose annually, not more than twice, without additional advertising.

16 U.S.C. § 579b Working capital fund; establishment; availability; transfer; capitalization; advance payments credited

There is established a working capital fund which shall be available without fiscal year limitation for expenses necessary, including the purchase or construction of buildings and improvements within the limitations thereon set forth in the appropriations for the Forest Service, for furnishing supply and equipment services in support of programs of the Forest Service. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to transfer to the fund, without reimbursement, and to capitalize in the fund at fair and reasonable values, such receivables, inventories, equipment, and other assets as he may determine, and assume the liabilities in connection with such assets: Provided, That the fund shall be credited with advance payments in connection with firm orders and reimbursements from appropriations and funds of the Forest Service, other departmental and Federal agencies, and from other sources, as authorized by law, at rates approximately equal to the cost of furnishing the facilities and service.

16 U.S.C. § 579c Availability of funds received from forfeitures, judgments, compromises, or settlements

Any moneys received by the United States with respect to lands under the administration of the Forest Service (1) as a result of the forfeiture of a bond or deposit by a permittee or timber purchaser for failure to complete performance of improvement, protection, or rehabilitation work required under the permit or timber sale contract or (2) as a result of a judgment, compromise, or settlement of any claim, involving present or potential damage to lands or improvements, shall be covered into the Treasury and are hereby appropriated and made available until expended to cover the cost to the United States of any improvement, protection, or rehabilitation work on lands under the administration of the Forest Service rendered necessary by the action which led to the forfeiture, judgment, compromise, or settlement: Provided, That any portion of the moneys so received in excess of the amount expended in performing the work necessitated by the action which led to their receipt shall be transferred to miscellaneous receipts.

16 U.S.C. § 579c–1 Forest Service interest bearing account

(a) Investment authorityAny monies covered into the Treasury under section 579c of this title, including all monies that were previously collected by the United States in a forfeiture, judgment, compromise, or settlement, shall be invested by the Secretary of the Treasury in interest bearing obligations of the United States to the extent the amounts are not, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet current withdrawals. (b) Availability of fundsAny interest earned under subsection (a) shall be available in the same manner as the monies covered into the Treasury under section 579c of this title to cover the costs to the United States specified in section 579c of this title. (c) Use of fundsAny portion of the monies received or earned under subsection (a) in excess of the amount expended in performing the work necessitated by the action which led to their receipt may be used to cover the other work specified in section 579c of this title. (d) Effective dateThis section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2023 and each succeeding fiscal year.

16 U.S.C. § 579d Indirect expenditures; future budget justifications

The Forest Service shall implement and adhere to the definitions of indirect expenditures established pursuant to Public Law 105–277 on a nationwide basis without flexibility for modification by any organizational level except the Washington Office, and when changed by the Washington Office, such changes in definition shall be reported in budget requests submitted by the Forest Service: Provided further, That the Forest Service shall provide in all future budget justifications, planned indirect expenditures in accordance with the definitions, summarized and displayed to the Regional, Station, Area, and detached unit office level. The justification shall display the estimated source and amount of indirect expenditures, by expanded budget line item, of funds in the agency’s annual budget justification. The display shall include appropriated funds and the Knutson-Vandenberg, Brush Disposal, Cooperative Work-Other, and Salvage Sale funds. Changes between estimated and actual indirect expenditures shall be reported in subsequent budget justifications.

16 U.S.C. § 579e Forest service budget restructure

(a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish the ‘Forest Service Operations’ account not later than October 1, 2020, for the necessary expenses of the Forest Service: (1) for the base salary and expenses of employees in the Chief’s Office, the Work Environment and Performance Office, the Business Operations Deputy Area, and the Chief Financial Officer’s Office to carry out administrative and general management support functions; (2) for the costs of facility maintenance, repairs, and leases for buildings and sites; (3) for the costs of utility and communication expenses, business services, and information technology, including cybersecurity requirements; and (4) for such other administrative support function expenses necessary for the operation of the Forest Service. (b) Subsequent to the establishment of the account under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture may execute appropriations of the Department for fiscal year 2021 as provided pursuant to such subsection, including any continuing appropriations made available for fiscal year 2021 before enactment of a regular appropriations Act. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture may transfer any unobligated balances made available to the Forest Service by this or prior appropriations Acts to the account established under subsection (a) to carry out such subsection, and shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives within 5 days of such transfer: Provided, That no amounts may be transferred from amounts that were made available for wildfire suppression operations pursuant to section 901(b)(2)(F) of title 2. (d)(1) Not later than November 1, 2020, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish the preliminary baseline for application of transfer authorities and submit the report specified in paragraph (2) to the Committees on Appropriations for the Senate and the House of Representatives. (2) The report required in this subsection shall include—(A) a delineation of the amount and account of each transfer made pursuant to subsection (b) or (c); (B) a table for each appropriation with a separate column to display the fiscal year 2020 enacted levels, adjustments made by Congress, adjustments due to enacted rescissions, if appropriate, and adjustments made pursuant to the transfer authority in subsection (b) or (c), and the resulting fiscal year level; (C) a delineation in the table for each appropriation, adjusted as described in paragraph (2), both by budget activity and program, project, and activity as detailed in the Budget Appendix; and (D) an identification of funds directed for a specific activity.

16 U.S.C. § 579f Forest Service Nonrecurring Expenses Fund

There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the “Forest Service Nonrecurring Expenses Fund” (the Fund): Provided, That unobligated balances of expired discretionary funds, and discretionary no-year funds at least four years old and deemed by the Chief of the Forest Service no longer needed for their intended purpose, appropriated for this or any succeeding fiscal year from the general fund of the Treasury to the Forest Service by this or any other Act may be transferred into the Fund: Provided further, That amounts deposited in the Fund shall be available until expended, and in addition to such other funds as may be available, for information technology; administrative expenses such as, but not limited to, utility and lease payments; facilities infrastructure maintenance, improvements, and construction; and roads infrastructure maintenance, subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget: Provided further, That amounts in the Fund may not be obligated without written notification to and the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate in conformance with the reprogramming guidelines described in this Act.

16 U.S.C. § 580 Use of Forest Service appropriations for repair, etc. of equipment; rental of fire control equipment to non-Federal agencies

Appropriations for the work of the Forest Service available for the operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of motor and other equipment may be reimbursed for use of such equipment on projects of the Forest Service chargeable to other appropriations, or on work of other Federal agencies, when requested by such agencies, reimbursement to be made from appropriations applicable to the work on which used at rental rates fixed by the Chief Forester based on the actual or estimated cost of operation, repair, maintenance, depreciation, and equipment management control, and credited to appropriations currently available at the time adjustment is effected. The Forest Service may also rent equipment for fire-control purposes to State, county, private, or other non-Federal agencies cooperating with the Forest Service in fire control under the terms of written cooperative agreements, the amount collected for such rental to be credited to appropriations currently available at the time payment is received.

16 U.S.C. § 580a Sale and distribution of supplies, equipment, and materials to other Government activities and to cooperating State and private agencies; reimbursement

The Forest Service may sell and distribute supplies, equipment, and materials to other Government activities and to State and private agencies who cooperate with the Forest Service in fire control under terms of written cooperative agreements, the cost of such supplies, equipment, and materials, including the cost of supervision, transportation, warehousing, and handling, to be reimbursed to appropriations current at the time additional supplies, equipment, and materials are procured for warehouse stocks.

16 U.S.C. § 580b Forest Service telephone lines; correction of inductive interference

Appropriations for the Forest Service shall be available hereafter for the correction of inductive interference on Forest Service telephone lines caused by transmission lines constructed by organizations financed by loans from the Rural Electrification Administration.

16 U.S.C. § 580c Purchases of experimental materials, special devices, test models, etc.

The provisions of section 6101 of title 41 shall not apply to purchases by the Forest Service of (1) materials to be tested or upon which experiments are to be made or (2) special devices, test models, or parts thereof, to be used (a) for experimentation to determine their suitability for or adaptability to accomplishment of the work for which designed or (b) in the designing or developing of new equipment: Provided, That not to exceed $50,000 may be expended in any one fiscal year pursuant to this authority and not to exceed $10,000 on any one item or purchase.

16 U.S.C. § 580d Use of Forest Service structures or improvements and land by public and private agencies, etc.; terms

The Secretary of Agriculture, under such regulations as he may prescribe and at rates and for periods not exceeding thirty years as determined by him, is authorized to permit the use by public and private agencies, corporations, firms, associations, or individuals, of structures or improvements under the administrative control of the Forest Service and land used in connection therewith: Provided, That as all or a part of the consideration for permits issued under this section, the Secretary may require the permittees at their expense to renovate, recondition, improve, and maintain the structures and land to a satisfactory standard.

16 U.S.C. § 580e Services furnished persons attending Forest Service demonstrations and users of national forest resources and recreational facilities; rate of charges; disposition of moneys

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to furnish persons attending Forest Service demonstrations, and users of national forest resources and recreational facilities, with meals, lodging, bedding, fuel, and other services, where such facilities are not otherwise available, at rates approximating but not less than the actual or estimated cost thereof and to deposit all moneys received therefor to the credit of the appropriation from which the cost thereof is paid, or a similar appropriation current at the time the moneys are received: Provided, That such receipts obtained in excess of $10,000 in any one fiscal year shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

16 U.S.C. § 580f Telephones for official use in private residences

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1348 of title 31, appropriations for the protection and management of the national forests and other lands administered by the Forest Service shall be available to pay for telephone service installed in residences of employees and of persons cooperating with the Forest Service who reside within or near such lands when such installation is determined by the Secretary of Agriculture to be needed in protecting such lands: Provided, That in addition to the monthly local service charge, the Government may pay only such tolls or other charges as are required strictly for the public business.

16 U.S.C. § 580g Seeding leased range land; conditions and limitations

Whenever such action is deemed to be in the public interest, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to pay from any appropriation available for the protection and management of the national forests all or any part of the cost of leasing, seeding, and protective fencing of public range land (other than national forest land) and privately owned land intermingled with or adjacent to national forest or other land administered by the Forest Service, if the use of the land to be seeded is controlled by the Forest Service under a lease or agreement which in the judgment of the Chief of the Forest Service gives the Forest Service control over the land for a sufficient period to justify such expenditures: Provided, That payment may not be made under authority of this section for the seeding of more than one thousand acres in any one private ownership: Provided further, That payment may not be made under authority of this section for the seeding of more than twenty-five thousand acres in any one fiscal year: Provided further, That the period of any lease under this authority may not exceed twenty years.

16 U.S.C. § 580h Range improvements from appropriated funds

Of the moneys received from grazing fees by the Treasury from each national forest during each fiscal year there shall be available at the end thereof when appropriated by Congress an amount equivalent to 2 cents per animal-month for sheep and goats and 10 cents per animal-month for other kinds of livestock under permit on such national forest during the calendar year in which the fiscal year begins, which appropriated amount shall be available until expended on such national forest, under such regulations as the Secretary of Agriculture may prescribe, for (1) artificial revegetation, including the collection or purchase of necessary seed; (2) construction and maintenance of drift or division fences and stock-watering places, bridges, corrals, driveways, or other necessary range improvements; (3) control of range-destroying rodents; or (4) eradication of poisonous plants and noxious weeds, in order to protect or improve the future productivity of the range.

16 U.S.C. § 580i Acquisition of winter range, land, and helicopter landing site

There are authorized to be appropriated— (a) such sums as may be necessary for the acquisition of parcels of land and interests in land in Sanders County, Montana, needed by the Forest Service to provide winter range for its saddle, pack, and draft animals; (b) not to exceed $50,000 for the acquisition of additional land adjacent to the present site of the Forest Products Laboratory at Madison, Wisconsin; and (c) not to exceed $25,000 for the acquisition of one helicopter landing site in southern California. Land acquired under this section may be subject to such reservations and outstanding interests as the Secretary of Agriculture determines will not interfere with the purpose for which acquired.

16 U.S.C. § 580j Injury benefits for temporary employees

Appropriations of the Forest Service chargeable with salaries and wages shall be available for payment to temporary employees of the Forest Service for loss of time due to injury in official work at rates not in excess of those provided by subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, when the injured person is in need of immediate financial assistance to avoid hardship: Provided, That such payment shall not be made for a period in excess of fifteen days and the Secretary of Labor shall be notified promptly of the amount so paid, which amount shall be deducted from the amount, if any, otherwise payable by the Secretary of Labor to the employee on account of the injury, the amount so deducted by the Secretary of Labor to be paid to the Forest Service for deposit to the credit of the Forest Service appropriation from which the expenditure was made: Provided further, That when any person assisting in the suppression of forest fires or in other emergency work under the direction of the Forest Service, without compensation from the United States, pursuant to the terms of a contract, agreement, or permit, is injured in such work, the Forest Service may furnish hospitalization and other medical care, subsistence, and lodging for a period of not to exceed fifteen days during such disability, the cost thereof to be payable from the appropriation applicable to the work upon which the injury occurred, except that this proviso shall not apply when such person is within the purview of a State or other compensation act: Provided further, That determination by the Forest Service that payment is allowable under this section shall be final as to payments made hereunder, but such determination or payments with respect to employees shall not prevent the Secretary of Labor from denying further payments should the Secretary of Labor determine that compensation is not properly allowable under the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5.

16 U.S.C. § 580k Grazing advisory boards

(a) Composition; election meetings(1) To provide national forest grazing permittees means for the expression of their recommendations concerning the management and administration of national forest grazing lands, a local advisory board shall be constituted and elected as hereinafter provided for each national forest or administrative subdivision thereof, whenever a majority of the grazing permittees of such national forest or administrative subdivision so petitions the Secretary of Agriculture. Each elected local advisory board existing for such purpose on April 24, 1950, and recognized as such by the Department of Agriculture, shall continue to be the local advisory board for the unit or area it represents, until replaced by a local advisory board or boards constituted and elected as hereinafter provided. (2) Each such local advisory board shall be constituted and elected under rules and regulations, consistent herewith, now or hereafter approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, and shall be recognized by him as representing the grazing permittees of the national forest or administrative subdivision thereof for which such local advisory board has been constituted and elected. (3) Each such local advisory board shall consist of not less than three nor more than twelve members, who shall be national forest grazing permittees in the area for which such board is constituted, elected, and recognized. In addition, a wildlife representative may be appointed as a member of each such board by the State game commission, or the corresponding public body of the State in which the advisory board is located, to advise on wildlife problems. (4) Each such local advisory board shall meet at least once annually, at a time to be fixed by such board, and at such other time or times as its members may determine, or on the call of the chairman thereof or of the Secretary of Agriculture or his authorized representative. (b) Advice and recommendations on matters within jurisdictionUpon the request of any party affected thereby, the Secretary of Agriculture, or his duly authorized representative, shall refer to the appropriate local advisory board for its advice and recommendations any matter pertaining to (1) the modification of the terms, or the denial of a renewal of, or a reduction in, a grazing permit, or (2) the establishment or modification of an individual or community allotment. In the event the Secretary of Agriculture, or his duly authorized representative, shall overrule, disregard, or modify any such recommendations, he, or such representative, shall furnish in writing to the local advisory board his reasons for such action. (c) Notification by Secretary of Agriculture of intention to issue regulations; recommendations; written explanation of reasons for overruling(1) At least thirty days prior to the issuance by the Secretary of Agriculture of any regulation under sections 490, 500, 504, 504a, 555, 557, 571c, 572, 579a, 580c to 580l, and 581 11 See References in Text note below. of this title or otherwise, with respect to the administration of grazing on national forest lands, or of amendments or additions to, or modifications in, any such regulation, which in his judgment would substantially modify existing policy with respect to grazing in national forests, or which would materially affect preferences of permittees in the area involved, the local advisory board for each area that will be affected thereby shall be notified of the intention to take such action. If as a result of this notice the Secretary of Agriculture shall receive any recommendation respecting the issuance of the proposed regulation and shall overrule, disregard, or modify any such regulations, he or his representative shall furnish in writing to the local advisory board his reasons for such action. (2) Any such local advisory board may at any time recommend to the Secretary of Agriculture, or his representative, the issuance of regulations or instructions relating to the use of national forest lands, seasons of use, grazing capacity of such lands, and any other matters affecting the administration of grazing in the area represented by such board.

16 U.S.C. § 580l Permits for grazing livestock on national forests

The Secretary of Agriculture in regulating grazing on the national forests and other lands administered by him in connection therewith is authorized, upon such terms and conditions as he may deem proper, to issue permits for the grazing of livestock for periods not exceeding ten years and renewals thereof: Provided, That nothing herein shall be construed as limiting or restricting any right, title, or interest of the United States in any land or resources.

16 U.S.C. § 580m Development of reservoir areas for future resources of timber; Congressional declaration of policy

It is declared to be the policy of the United States to provide that reservoir areas of projects for flood control, navigation, hydroelectric power development, and other related purposes owned in fee and under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Engineers shall be developed and maintained so as to encourage, promote, and assure fully adequate and dependable future resources of readily available timber, through sustained yield programs, reforestation, and accepted conservation practices, and to increase the value of such areas for conservation, recreation, and other beneficial uses: Provided, That such development and management shall be accomplished to the extent practicable and compatible with other uses of the project.

16 U.S.C. § 580n Protection and development of forest or other vegetative cover; establishment and maintenance of conservation measures; coordination of programs and policies

In order to carry out the national policy declared in section 580m of this title, the Chief of Engineers, under the supervision of the Secretary of the Army, shall provide for the protection and development of forest or other vegetative cover and the establishment and maintenance of other conservation measures on reservoir areas under his jurisdiction, so as to yield the maximum benefit and otherwise improve such areas. Programs and policies developed pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be coordinated with the Secretary of Agriculture, and with appropriate State conservation agencies.

16 U.S.C. § 580o Forest Service appropriations

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the necessary expenses of the Forest Service for carrying out the programs for Forest Research, State and Private Forestry, and National Forest System under the appropriations account for Forest Management, Protection, and Utilization, and the programs under the appropriations account for Construction and Land Acquisition: $1,575,552,000 for fiscal year 1981; $1,498,000,000 for fiscal year 1982; $1,560,000,000 for fiscal year 1983; and $1,620,000,000 for fiscal year 1984: Provided, That none of the funds authorized to be appropriated hereby may be used for carrying out the Bald Mountain road in the Siskiyou National Forest.

16 U.S.C. § 580p “Woodsy Owl” and “Smokey Bear” characters and names; definitions

As used in this Act— (1) the term “Woodsy Owl” means the name and representation of a fanciful owl, who wears slacks (forest green when colored), a belt (brown when colored), and a Robin Hood style hat (forest green when colored) with a feather (red when colored), and who furthers the slogan, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute”, originated by the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture; (2) the term “Smokey Bear” means the name and character “Smokey Bear” originated by the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Association of State Foresters and the Advertising Council.11 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon. (3) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.

16 U.S.C. § 580p–1 Property of the United States

The following are hereby declared the property of the United States: (1) The name and character “Smokey Bear”. (2) The name and character “Woodsy Owl” and the associated slogan, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute”.

16 U.S.C. § 580p–2 Deposit of fees collected under regulations relating to “Smokey Bear”; availability

The Secretary of Agriculture shall deposit into a special account to be available for furthering the nationwide forest-fire prevention campaign all fees collected under regulations promulgated by him relating to “Smokey Bear”.

16 U.S.C. § 580p–3 Use of royalty fees; special account

(a) The Secretary may establish and collect use or royalty fees for the manufacture, reproduction, or use of the name or character “Woodsy Owl” and the associated slogan, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute”, as a symbol for a public service campaign to promote wise use of the environment and programs which foster maintenance and improvement of environmental quality. (b) The Secretary shall deposit into a special account all fees collected pursuant to this Act. Such fees are hereby made available for obligation and expenditure for the purpose of furthering the “Woodsy Owl” campaign.

16 U.S.C. § 580p–4 Injunction against unauthorized manufacture, use, or reproduction

(a) Whoever, except as provided by rules and regulations issued by the Secretary, manufactures, uses, or reproduces the character “Smokey Bear”, or the name “Smokey Bear”, or a facsimile or simulation of such character or name in such a manner as suggests “Smokey Bear” may be enjoined from such manufacture, use, or reproduction at the suit of the Attorney General upon complaint by the Secretary. (b) Whoever, except as provided by rules and regulations issued by the Secretary, manufactures, uses, or reproduces the character “Woodsy Owl”, the name “Woodsy Owl”, or the slogan “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute”, or a facsimile or simulation of such character, name, or slogan in such a manner as suggests “Woodsy Owl” may be enjoined from such manufacture, use, or reproduction at the suit of the Attorney General upon complaint by the Secretary.

16 U.S.C. § 580q National Tree Seed Laboratory; disposition of fees

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, fees received by the National Tree Seed Laboratory, administered by the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, for the provision of a tree seed testing service, shall be retained and deposited as a reimbursement to current appropriations used to cover the costs of providing such service.