Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§3144 Wilderness portion of study

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 51— - ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - FEDERAL NORTH SLOPE LANDS STUDIES, OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM AND MINERAL ASSESSMENTS › § 3144

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must study the lands in section 3141 and report whether they are suitable for wilderness to the President. The President must tell Congress his recommendation and send a map and boundaries. Until Congress decides, the Secretary must keep the area’s current wilderness character and its chance to join the National Wilderness Preservation System. Uses that were happening on December 2, 1980 may continue, subject to valid existing rights, section 3142, and any restrictions the Secretary sets.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §3144

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)As part of the study, the Secretary shall review the suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as wilderness of the Federal lands described in section 3141 of this title and report his findings to the President.

(b)The President shall advise the Senate and the House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect to the designation of the area or any part thereof as wilderness together with a map thereof and a definition of its boundaries.

(c)Subject to valid existing rights and the provisions of section 3142 of this title, the wilderness study area designated by this section shall, until Congress determines otherwise, be administered by the Secretary so as to maintain presently existing wilderness character and potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Already established uses may be permitted to continue, subject to such restrictions as the Secretary deems desirable, in the manner and degree in which the same were being conducted on December 2, 1980.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 3144

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73