Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73

§4501 Forestry and related natural resource assistance

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 65— - INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY COOPERATION › § 4501

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Agriculture must focus forestry and natural resource work abroad on the key countries that can strongly affect greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming. Outside the United States and its territories, the Secretary may help other countries with sustainable forest management and related activities. That help can include things like forest conservation and plantations, restoring damaged land, fighting pests and wildfires, better use of forest products, protecting rangeland, and helping wildlife and fisheries. The Secretary may also share technical and management skills, offer training and education, do joint scientific research, and work with other groups. If a country already gets help from the Agency for International Development, the Secretary can act there only when the Administrator of that Agency asks for or agrees to the work.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §4501

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)To achieve the maximum impact from activities undertaken under the authority of this chapter, the Secretary shall focus such activities on the key countries which could have a substantial impact on emissions of greenhouse gases related to global warming.
(b)In support of forestry and related natural resource activities outside of the United States and its territories and possessions, the Secretary of Agriculture may—
(1)provide assistance that promotes sustainable development and global environmental stability, including assistance for—
(A)conservation and sustainable management of forest land;
(B)forest plantation technology and tree improvement;
(C)rehabilitation of cutover lands, eroded watersheds, and areas damaged by wildfires or other natural disasters;
(D)prevention and control of insects, diseases, and other damaging agents;
(E)preparedness planning, training, and operational assistance to combat natural disasters;
(F)more complete utilization of forest products leading to resource conservation;
(G)range protection and enhancement; and
(H)wildlife and fisheries habitat protection and improvement;
(2)share technical, managerial, extension, and administrative skills related to public and private natural resource administration;
(3)provide education and training opportunities to promote the transfer and utilization of scientific information and technologies;
(4)engage in scientific exchange and cooperative research with foreign governmental, educational, technical and research institutions; and
(5)cooperate with domestic and international organizations that further international programs for the management and protection of forests, rangelands, wildlife and fisheries, and related natural resource activities.
(c)The Secretary shall undertake the activities described in subsection (b), in countries that receive assistance from the Agency for International Development only at the request, or with the concurrence, of the Administrator of the Agency for International Development.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), was in the original “this title”, meaning title VI of Pub. L. 101–513, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2070, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title VI to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out below and Tables.

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–574 struck out “(hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the Secretary)” after “Agriculture” in introductory provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

of 1992 Amendment Pub. L. 102–574, § 1, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4593, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 4502a and 4503a to 4503d of this title, amending this section and section 4503 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 4502a and 4503a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 101–513, title VI, § 601, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2070, provided that: “This title [enacting this chapter and amending section 1641, 1643, 2101, and 2109 of this title] may be cited as the ‘International Forestry Cooperation Act of 1990’.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 4501

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73