USC Subchapter LXXVI

in effect

16 U.S.C. § 460r Establishment

In order to provide for the public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the area in the vicinity of Mount Rogers, the highest mountain in the State of Virginia, and to the extent feasible the conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values of the area, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in the Jefferson National Forest in the State of Virginia.

16 U.S.C. § 460r–1 Designation of area; boundaries; publication in Federal Register

The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter called the “Secretary”) shall— (1) designate as soon as practicable after May 31, 1966, the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area within and adjacent to, and as a part of, the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia comprised of the area the boundaries of which shall be those shown on the map entitled “Proposed Mount Rogers National Recreation Area”, dated 1965, which is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; and (2) publish notice of the designation in the Federal Register, together with a map showing the boundaries of the recreation area.

16 U.S.C. § 460r–2 Acquisition of lands

(a) Authority of Secretary; manner and place; concurrence of State ownerThe Secretary shall acquire by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, by gift, exchange, condemnation, transfer from any Federal agency, or otherwise, such lands, waters, or interests therein, including scenic or other easements within the boundaries of the recreation area as he determines to be needed or desirable for the purposes of this subchapter. Lands, waters, or interests therein owned by the State of Virginia or any political subdivision of that State may be acquired only with the concurrence of such owner. (b) Transfer from Federal agency to administrative jurisdiction of SecretaryNotwithstanding any other provision of law, any Federal property located within the boundaries of the recreation area may, with the concurrence of the agency having custody thereof, be transferred without consideration to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for use by him in implementing the purpose of this subchapter. (c) Exchange of propertyIn exercising his authority to acquire lands by exchange the Secretary may accept title to non-Federal property within the recreation area and convey to the grantor of such property any federally owned property in the State of Virginia under his jurisdiction.

16 U.S.C. § 460r–3 Outdoor recreation facilities development

(a) Accelerated programAfter the Secretary acquires an acreage within the area designated pursuant to section 460r–1 of this title that is in his opinion efficiently administrable to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, he shall institute an accelerated program of development of facilities for outdoor recreation. Said facilities shall be so devised to take advantage of the topography and geographical location of the lands in relation to the growing recreation needs of the people of the United States. (b) Cooperation with Federal and State agenciesThe Secretary may cooperate with all Federal and State authorities and agencies that have programs which will hasten completion of the recreation area and render services which will aid him in evaluating and effectuating the establishment of adequate summer and winter outdoor recreation facilities.

16 U.S.C. § 460r–4 Administration, protection, and development of area

The administration, protection, and development of the recreation area shall be by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to national forests, in such manner as in his judgment will best provide for (1) public outdoor recreation benefits; (2) conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to public enjoyment; and (3) such management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources as in his judgment will promote, or is compatible with, and does not significantly impair the purposes for which the recreation area is established.

16 U.S.C. § 460r–5 Hunting and fishing

The Secretary shall permit hunting and fishing on lands and waters under his jurisdiction within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws. The Secretary may designate zones where, and establish periods when, no hunting shall be permitted for reasons of public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment, and shall issue regulations after consultation with the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries of the State of Virginia.