dreamproit/uscode huggingface dataset:
16 U.S.C. § 6591 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6591. Forest stands inventory and monitoring program to improve detection of and response to environmental threats
(a) In general
The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out a comprehensive program to inventory, monitor, characterize, assess, and identify forest stands (with emphasis on hardwood forest stands) and potential forest stands—
(1) in units of the National Forest System (other than those units created from the public domain); and
(2) on private forest land, with the consent of the owner of the land.
(b) Issues to be addressed
In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall address issues including—
(1) early detection, identification, and assessment of environmental threats (including insect, disease, invasive species, fire, and weather-related risks and other episodic events);
(2) loss or degradation of forests;
(3) degradation of the quality forest stands caused by inadequate forest regeneration practices;
(4) quantification of carbon uptake rates; and
(5) management practices that focus on preventing further forest degradation.
(c) Early warning system
In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive early warning system for potential catastrophic environmental threats to forests to increase the likelihood that forest managers will be able to—
(1) isolate and treat a threat before the threat gets out of control; and
(2) prevent epidemics, such as the American chestnut blight in the first half of the twentieth century, that could be environmentally and economically devastating to forests.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
(Pub. L. 108–148, title VI, § 601, Dec. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1914.)
16 U.S.C. § 6604 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6604. Marine Turtle Conservation Fund
(a) Establishment
There is established in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund a separate account to be known as the “Marine Turtle Conservation Fund”, consisting of—
(1) amounts transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit into the Fund under subsection (e);
(2) amounts appropriated to the Fund under section 6606(a) of this title; and
(3) any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under subsection (c).
(b) Expenditures from Fund
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), on request by the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the Fund to the Secretary, without further appropriation, such amounts as the Secretary determines are necessary to carry out section 6603 of this title.
(2) Administrative expenses
Of the amounts in the account available for each fiscal year, the Secretary may expend not more than 5 percent, or up to $150,000, whichever is greater, to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this chapter.
(c) Investment of amounts
(1) In general
The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet current withdrawals. Investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States.
(2) Acquisition of obligations
For the purpose of investments under paragraph (1), obligations may be acquired—
(A) on original issue at the issue price; or
(B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price.
(3) Sale of obligations
Any obligation acquired by the Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the market price.
(4) Credits to Fund
The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Fund.
(d) Transfers of amounts
(1) In general
The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this section shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Fund on the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(2) Adjustments
Proper adjustment shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or less than the amounts required to be transferred.
(e) Acceptance and use of donations
The Secretary may accept and use donations to provide assistance under section 6603 of this title. Amounts received by the Secretary in the form of donations shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the Fund.
(Pub. L. 108–266, § 5, July 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 794; Pub. L. 116–9, title VII, § 7001(c)(3)(D), Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 788.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2019—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–9, § 7001(c)(3)(D)(i), substituted “section 6606(a)” for “section 6605”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–9, § 7001(c)(3)(D)(ii), substituted “5 percent, or up to $150,000” for “3 percent, or up to $80,000”.
16 U.S.C. § 6605 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6605. Advisory group
(a) In general
To assist in carrying out this chapter, the Secretary may convene an advisory group consisting of individuals representing public and private organizations actively involved in the conservation of marine turtles, freshwater turtles, or tortoises.
(b) Public participation
(1) Meetings
The Advisory Group 1 shall—
(A) ensure that each meeting of the advisory group is open to the public; and
(B) provide, at each meeting, an opportunity for interested persons to present oral or written statements concerning items on the agenda.
(2) Notice
The Secretary shall provide to the public timely notice of each meeting of the advisory group.
(3) Minutes
Minutes of each meeting of the advisory group shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be made available to the public.
(c) Exemption from chapter 10 of title 5
Chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply to the advisory group.
(Pub. L. 108–266, § 6, July 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 116–9, title VII, § 7001(c)(3)(E), Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 788; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(131), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4320.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2022—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “chapter 10 of title 5” for “Federal Advisory Committee Act” in heading and “Chapter 10 of title 5” for “The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)” in text.
2019—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–9 inserted “, freshwater turtles, or tortoises” after “marine turtles”.
16 U.S.C. § 6606 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6606. Authorization of appropriations
(a) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
(b) Allocation
Of the amounts made available for each fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a)—
(1) not less than $1,510,000 shall be used by the Secretary for marine turtle conservation purposes in accordance with this chapter; and
(2) of the amounts in excess of the amount described in paragraph (1), not less than 40 percent shall be used by the Secretary for freshwater turtle and tortoise conservation purposes in accordance with this chapter.
(Pub. L. 108–266, § 7, July 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 116–9, title VII, § 7001(c)(3)(F), Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 788; Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title LIII, § 5307(b), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2446.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted “2025 through 2029” for “2019 through 2023”.
2019—Pub. L. 116–9 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009.”
16 U.S.C. § 6607 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6607. Report to Congress
Not later than October 1, 2005, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the results and effectiveness of the program carried out under this chapter, including recommendations concerning how this chapter might be improved and whether the Fund should be continued in the future.
(Pub. L. 108–266, § 8, July 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 796.)
16 U.S.C. § 6702 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6702. Purposes
The purposes of this chapter are—
(1) to enhance the capacity to develop, transfer, apply, monitor, and regularly update practical science-based forest restoration treatments that will reduce the risk of severe wildfires, and improve the health of dry forest and woodland ecosystems in the interior West;
(2) to synthesize and adapt scientific findings from conventional research programs to the implementation of forest and woodland restoration on a landscape scale;
(3) to facilitate the transfer of interdisciplinary knowledge required to understand the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of wildfire on ecosystems and landscapes;
(4) to require the Institutes established under this chapter to collaborate with Federal agencies—
(A) to use ecological restoration treatments to reverse declining forest health and reduce the risk of severe wildfires across the forest landscape; and
(B) to design, implement, monitor, and regularly revise representative wildfire treatments based on the use of adaptive ecosystem management;
(5) to assist land managers in—
(A) treating acres with restoration-based applications; and
(B) using new management technologies (including the transfer of understandable information, assistance with environmental review, and field and classroom training and collaboration) to accomplish the goals identified in—
(i) the National Fire Plan;
(ii) the report entitled “Protecting People and Sustaining Resources in Fire-Adapted Ecosystems-A Cohesive Strategy” (65 Fed. Reg. 67480); and
(iii) the report entitled “10-Year Comprehensive Strategy: A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment” of the Western Governors’ Association;
(6) to provide technical assistance to collaborative efforts by affected entities to develop, implement, and monitor adaptive ecosystem management restoration treatments that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible; and
(7) to assist Federal and non-Federal land managers in providing information to the public on the role of fire and fire management in dry forest and woodland ecosystems in the interior West.
(Pub. L. 108–317, § 3, Oct. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 1205.)
16 U.S.C. § 6705 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6705. Cooperation between Institutes and Federal agencies
In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior—
(1) to the extent that funds are appropriated for the purpose, shall provide financial and technical assistance to the Institutes to carry out the duties of the Institutes under section 6704 of this title;
(2) shall encourage Federal agencies to use, on a cooperative basis, information and expertise provided by the Institutes;
(3) shall encourage cooperation and coordination between Federal programs relating to—
(A) ecological restoration;
(B) wildfire risk reduction; and
(C) wildfire management technologies;
(4) notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, may—
(A) enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and interagency personnel agreements to carry out this chapter; and
(B) carry out other transactions under this chapter;
(5) may accept funds from other Federal agencies to supplement or fully fund grants made, and contracts entered into, by the Secretaries;
(6) may support a program of internships for qualified individuals at the undergraduate and graduate levels to carry out the educational and training objectives of this chapter;
(7) shall encourage professional education and public information activities relating to the purposes of this chapter; and
(8) may promulgate such regulations as the Secretaries determine are necessary to carry out this chapter.
(Pub. L. 108–317, § 6, Oct. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 1208.)
16 U.S.C. § 6706 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6706. Monitoring and evaluation
(a) In general
Not later than 5 years after October 5, 2004, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall complete and submit to the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a detailed evaluation of the programs and activities of each Institute—
(1) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the research, communication tools, and information transfer activities of each Institute are sufficient to achieve the purposes of this chapter, including—
(A) implementing active adaptive ecosystem management practices at the landscape level;
(B) reducing unnecessary planning costs;
(C) avoiding duplicative and conflicting efforts;
(D) increasing public acceptance of active adaptive ecosystem management practices; and
(E) achieving general satisfaction on the part of affected entities;
(2) to determine the extent to which each Institute has implemented its duties under section 6704(c) of this title; and
(3) to determine whether continued provision of Federal assistance to each Institute is warranted.
(b) Termination of assistance
If, as a result of an evaluation under subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, determines that an Institute does not qualify for further Federal assistance under this chapter, the Institute shall receive no further Federal assistance under this chapter until such time as the qualifications of the Institute are reestablished to the satisfaction of the Secretaries.
(Pub. L. 108–317, § 7, Oct. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 1209.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Change of Name
text: Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
16 U.S.C. § 6707 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6707. Authorization of appropriations
(a) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this chapter $15,000,000 for each fiscal year.
(b) Limitation
No funds made available under subsection (a) shall be used to pay the costs of constructing any facilities.
(Pub. L. 108–317, § 8, Oct. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 1210.)
16 U.S.C. § 6804a (CONSERVATION)
§ 6804a. Availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes
(a) Establishment of program
(1) In general
To improve the availability of Federal, State, and local outdoor recreation passes, the Secretaries are encouraged to coordinate with States and counties regarding the availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes to allow a purchaser to buy a Federal recreation pass, State recreation pass, and local recreation pass in a single transaction.
(2) Included passes
Passes covered by the program established under paragraph (1) include—
(A) an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass under section 6804 of this title; and
(B) any pass covering any fees charged by participating States and counties for entrance and recreational use of parks and public land in the participating States.
(b) Agreements with States and counties
(1) In general
The Secretaries, after consultation with the States and counties, may enter into agreements with States and counties to coordinate the availability of passes as described in subsection (a).
(2) Revenue from pass sales
Agreements between the Secretaries, States, and counties entered into pursuant to this section shall ensure that—
(A) funds from the sale of State or local passes are transferred to the appropriate State agency or county government;
(B) funds from the sale of Federal passes are transferred to the appropriate Federal agency; and
(C) fund transfers are completed by the end of a fiscal year for all pass sales occurring during the fiscal year.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 805A, as added Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 321(a), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2909.)
16 U.S.C. § 6805 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6805. Cooperative agreements
(a) Fee management agreement
Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, the Secretary may enter into a fee management agreement, including a contract, which may provide for a reasonable commission, reimbursement, or discount, with the following entities for the following purposes:
(1) With any governmental or nongovernmental entity, including those in a gateway community, for the purpose of obtaining fee collection and processing services, including visitor reservation services.
(2) With any governmental or nongovernmental entity, including those in a gateway community, for the purpose of obtaining emergency medical services.
(3) With any governmental entity, including those in a gateway community, to obtain law enforcement services.
(b) Revenue sharing
A State or legal subdivision of a State that enters into an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (a) may share in a percentage of the revenues collected at the site in accordance with that fee management agreement.
(c) County proposals
The Secretary shall consider any proposal submitted by a county to provide services described in subsection (a). If the Secretary decides not to enter into a fee management agreement with the county under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify the county in writing of the decision, identifying the reasons for the decision. The fee management agreement may include cooperative site planning and management provisions.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 806, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3387.)
16 U.S.C. § 6808 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6808. Reports
Not later than May 1, 2006, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the status of the recreation fee program conducted for Federal recreational lands and waters, including an evaluation of the recreation fee program, examples of projects that were funded using such fees, and future projects and programs for funding with fees, and containing any recommendations for changes in the overall fee system.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 809, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3389.)
16 U.S.C. § 6809 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6809. Sunset provision
The authority of the Secretary to carry out this chapter shall terminate September 30, 2031.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 810, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3389; Pub. L. 113–235, div. F, title IV, § 422, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2449; Pub. L. 114–53, div. B, § 134, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 509, renumbered div. B, Pub. L. 114–113, § 8(3), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2245; Pub. L. 114–223, div. C, § 133, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 914; Pub. L. 115–56, div. D, § 131, Sept. 8, 2017, 131 Stat. 1145; Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 311(e), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2898.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, and was translated as reading “this title”, meaning title VIII of div. J of Pub. L. 108–447, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3377, known as the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. For complete classification of title VIII to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6801 of this title and Tables.
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Pub. L. 118–234 substituted “2031” for “2019”.
2017—Pub. L. 115–56 substituted “September 30, 2019” for “September 30, 2018”.
2016—Pub. L. 114–223 substituted “September 30, 2018” for “September 30, 2017”.
2015—Pub. L. 114–53 substituted “September 30, 2017.” for “on September 30, 2016.”
2014—Pub. L. 113–235 substituted “on September 30, 2016” for “10 years after December 8, 2004”. Amendment was executed as the probable intent of Congress, notwithstanding error in directory language which referenced the editorial translation of “December 8, 2004” rather than “the date of the enactment of this Act” which appeared in the original.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Recreation Fees
text: Pub. L. 118–42, div. E, title IV, § 421, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 290, provided that: “Section 810 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) shall be applied by substituting ‘October 1, 2025’ for ‘September 30, 2019’.”
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
Pub. L. 117–328, div. G, title IV, § 421, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4826.
Pub. L. 117–103, div. G, title IV, § 421, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 415.
Pub. L. 116–260, div. G, title IV, § 423, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1541.
Pub. L. 116–94, div. D, title IV, § 425, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2748.
Pub. L. 116–6, div. E, title IV, § 427, Feb. 15, 2019, 133 Stat. 264.
16 U.S.C. § 6810 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6810. Volunteers
(a) Authority to use volunteers
The Secretary may use volunteers, as appropriate, to collect recreation fees and sell recreation passes.
(b) Waiver or discount of fees; site-specific agency pass
In exchange for volunteer services, the Secretary may waive or discount an entrance fee, standard amenity recreation fee, or an expanded amenity recreation fee that would otherwise apply to the volunteer or issue to the volunteer a site-specific agency pass authorized under section 6804(c) of this title.
(c) National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
In accordance with the guidelines issued under section 6804(a)(7) of this title, the Secretaries may issue a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to a volunteer in exchange for significant volunteer services performed by the volunteer.
(d) Regional multientity passes
The Secretary may issue a regional multientity pass authorized under section 6804(d) of this title to a volunteer in exchange for significant volunteer services performed by the volunteer, if the regional multientity pass agreement under which the regional multientity pass was established provides for the issuance of the pass to volunteers.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 811, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3389.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Section 6804 of this title, referred to in subsecs. (b) to (d), was in the original a reference to section 5, and was translated as meaning section 805 of title VIII of div. J of Pub. L. 108–447, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
16 U.S.C. § 6811 (CONSERVATION)
§ 6811. Enforcement and protection of receipts
(a) Enforcement authority
The Secretary concerned shall enforce payment of the recreation fees authorized by this chapter.
(b) Evidence of nonpayment
If the display of proof of payment of a recreation fee, or the payment of a recreation fee within a certain time period is required, failure to display such proof as required or to pay the recreation fee within the time period specified shall constitute nonpayment.
(c) Joint liability
The registered owner and any occupant of a vehicle charged with a nonpayment violation involving the vehicle shall be jointly liable for penalties imposed under this section, unless the registered owner can show that the vehicle was used without the registered owner’s express or implied permission.
(d) Limitation on penalties
The failure to pay a recreation fee established under this chapter shall be punishable as a Class A or Class B misdemeanor, except that in the case of a first offense of nonpayment, the fine imposed may not exceed $100, notwithstanding section 3571(e) of title 18.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 812, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3390.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d), was in the original “this Act”, and was translated as reading “this title”, meaning title VIII of div. J of Pub. L. 108–447, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3377, known as the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. For complete classification of title VIII to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6801 of this title and Tables.