Little River Canyon National Preserve Act of 1992
PL 102-427 (H.R.3665), enacted 10/21/1992

PUBLIC LAW 102-427—OCT. 21, 1992 
106 STAT. 2179 
Public Law 102-427 
102d Congress 
An Act 
To establish the Little River Canyon National Preserve in the State of Alabama. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Little River Canyon National 
Preserve Act of 1992". 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to protect and preserve the natural, 
scenic, recreational, and cultural resources of the Little River Can-
yon area in DeKalb and Cherokee Counties, Alabama, and to pro-
vide for the protection and public enjojrment of the resources, there 
is established the Little River Canyon National Preserve (referred 
to in this Act as the "Preserve"). 
(b) AREA INCLUDED.—^The Preserve shall consist of the lands, 
waters, and interests in lands and waters generally depicted on 
the boundary map entitled "Little River Canyon National Preserve", 
numbered NA-LRNP-80,001C, and dated March 1992. 
(c) MAP.—^The map referred to in subsection (b) shall— 
(1) be on file and available for public inspection in the 
ofiices of the National Park Service of the Department of the 
Interior in Washington, District of Columbia; and 
(2) be filed with the appropriate offices of DeKalb and 
Cherokee Counties in the State of Alabama. 
(d) PUBLICATION OF DESCRIPTION.—^Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
(referred to in this Act as the "Secretary") shall publish in the 
Federal Register a detailed description of the boundaries of the 
Preserve. 
SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Preserve shall be administered by the 
Secretary in accordance with this Act and in accordance witn the 
laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, 
inclumng— 
(1) the Act entitled "An Act to establish a National Park 
Service, and for other purposes", approved August 25, 1916 
(16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and 
(2) the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the preservation 
of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities 
of national significance, and for other purposes", approved 
August 21,1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.). 
(b) HUNTING AND FISHING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the 
Secretary shall permit himting, trapping, and fishing on lands 
and waters imder the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the 
Preserve in accordance with appUcable Federal and State laws. 
Oct. 21, 1992 
[H.R. 3665] 
Little River 
Canyon 
National 
Preserve Act of 
1992. 
Conservation. 
16 u s e 698q 
note. 
16 use 698q. 
16 u s e 698r. 
9-194 O—93 
13:QL3(Pt. 3) 
106 STAT. 2180 
PUBLIC LAW 102-427—OCT. 21, 1992 
(2) TIME AND PLACE RESTRIC3TIONS.—Subject to such terms 
and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary in further-
ance of this Act, and after consultation with the Department 
of Conservation and Natural Resources of the State of Alabama 
and owners of lands adjacent to the Preserve, the Secretary 
may designate zones where, and establish periods when, the 
activities described in paragraph (1) will not be permitted 
within the Preserve for reasons of public safety, administration, 
fish and wildlife habitat, or public use and enjoyment. 
(3) RESTRICTIONS IN BOUNDARY AREAS.—After consultation 
with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 
of the State of Alabama and with the owners of lands adjacent 
to the Preserve, the Secretary may restrict hunting in areas 
within the Preserve that are adjacent to the boundaries of 
the Preserve where the restriction is necessary or appropriate 
to protect public safety. 
(4) 
(JONGRESSIONAL INTENT.—^Nothing in this Act is 
intended to affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the 
State of Alabama with respect to fish and wildlife. 
(c) WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS.—Subsection (a) of section 7 
of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1278(a)) shall apply 
to that portion of the Little River that flows through the Preserve 
in the same manner and to the same extent as such subsection 
applies to the rivers referred to in such subsection. The application 
of such subsection to the Preserve shall not affect any determination 
of the value, of the lands, waters, or interests in lands and waters 
within the boundaries of the Preserve. 
(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH STATE.— 
(1) LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE PREVENTION.—In admin-
istering the Preserve, the Secretary may enter into cooperative 
agreements with the State of Alabama, or any political subdivi-
sion of the State, for the rendering of— 
(A) rescue, fire fighting, and law enforcement services; 
and 
(B) cooperative assistance by law enforcement and fire 
preventive agencies located in the vicinity of the Preserve. 
(2) PREPARATION OF MANAGEMENT PLAN.—TO facilitate the 
purposes of this section, the Secretary may enter into coopera-
tive agreements with the State of Alabama and directly affected 
political subdivisions of the State to provide professional assist-
ance in the preparation of the management plan for the 
Preserve. 
Contracts. 
(e) DESOTO STATE PARK.—If lands within DeSoto State Park 
are acquired by the Secretary, at the request of the Department 
of Conservation and Natural Resources of the State of Alabama, 
the Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
Department for the continued management by the Department 
of the lodge and other facilities that, as of the date of enactment 
of this Act, are part of DeSoto State Park, The cooperative agree-
ment shall provide for the management and operation of the lodge 
and facilities in a manner that, to the maximum extent practicable, 
is consistent with similar operations elsewhere in the National 
Park System. 
(f) PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.— 
(1) PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION PROGRAM.—The 
Secretary shall develop and conduct a program to promote 
and encourage awareness of and participation in the develop-
PUBLIC LAW 102-427—OCT. 21, 1992 
106 STAT. 2181 
merit of the general management plan for the Preserve by 
persons owning property in the vicinity of the Preserve, other 
interested groups and individuals, State, coun^, and mimicipal 
agencies, and the general public. Prior to final approval of 
the plan, the Secretary shall hold public meetings in DeKalb 
and Cherokee Coimties. 
(2) CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT.—In preparing and 
implementing the plan described in paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall give full consideration to the views and comments of 
the individuals, groups, and agencies described in paragraph 
(1). 
(g) GREEN PITCHER PLANT.—Upon the transfer by Alabama 
Power Company to the United States of any lands within the 
boundaries of tne Preserve that contain the Green Pitcher Plant 
(Sarracenia oreophila), all rights and obligations of Alabama Power 
Company under the agreement entered into between the company 
and the Department of the Interior (including the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service) on May 12, 1983, in settlement of the 
action brought on September 24, 1980, against the Secretary and 
the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service in the United States 
District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Civil Action 
No. CV 80-C-1242-M), shall be extinguished. 
SEC. 4. ACQUISITION. 
16 USC 698s. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the 
Secretary is authorized to acquire lands, waters, and interests 
in lands and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve 
by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated fimds, 
or exchange. 
(2) CONSENT OF THE OWNER.—The Secretary may not 
acquire lands, waters, or interests in lands and waters for 
the Preserve without the consent of the owner. 
(3) STATE LANDS.—Lands, waters, and interests in lands 
and waters within the boundaries of the Preserve that are 
owned by the State of Alabama, or any political subdivision 
of the State, may be acquired only by donation or exchange. 
(b) NEGOTIATIONS FOR ACQUISITION.— 
(1) COMMENCEMENT OF NEGOTIATIONS.—^Immediately after 
publication of a description of the boundaries of the Preserve 
in accordance with section 2(d), the Secretary shall commence 
negotiations for the acquisition of the lands, waters, and 
interests in lands and waters within the boundaries of the 
Preserve. 
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit, 
in writing, a detailed schedule of actions and a progress report 
regarding the acquisition to— 
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(C) the Committees on Appropriations of Congress. 
(3) ACQUISITION DEADLINE.—The Secretarv shall substan-
tially complete the acquisition of the lands, waters, and 
interests in lands and waters within the Preserve, in accordance 
with the purposes of this Act, not later than 2 years aftier 
106 STAT. 2182 
PUBLIC LAW 102-427—OCT. 21, 1992 
the date of enactment of this Act, subject to the availability 
of funds. 
(c) ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS.— 
(1) AVAILABILITY TO OWNER.—Promptly following comple-
tion of any environmental audit performed by or on behalf 
of the Secretary with respect to any property proposed to be 
acquired for the purposes of this Act, the Secretary shall make 
available to the owner of the property a copy of the audit. 
(2) INCLUSION IN DOCUMENTS TRANSFERRING TITLE.—^Any 
audit described in paragraph (1), and any environmental audit 
performed by the owner oi the property and submitted to the 
Secretary prior to the date of the acquisition, shall be included 
as part or the documents transferring title to the property 
to the United States. 
(d) FUTURE ADDITIONS.—No lands or interest in lands may 
be added to the Preserve after the date of enactment of this Act 
without specific authorization by Congress and the consent of the 
owner of the lands or interest. 
16USC698t. 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this Act. 
Approved October 21,1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3665: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-482 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 102-472 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 138 (1992): 
Apr. 7, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 1, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 3, House concurred in Senate amendment.