§460aaa–2 Administration

Summary

The Secretary of Agriculture must run the national recreation area using the same laws and rules that apply to the National Forest System. Owners of private land and homes inside the area must be allowed access across Forest lands, as the Secretary sets to protect plants, animals, and scenic values. The public must have traditional access, including roads for camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and trapping. Snowmobiles may be allowed on Federal lands under Forest rules and the area’s management plan, and their use must be limited to protect resources. Timber work can only be used to improve recreation, scenery, wildlife, or protect sensitive species; damaged or downed trees may be salvaged or removed. After the Secretary buys at least 10,000 acres on Grand Island, the Secretary must provide reasonable water transport from the mainland, using concessions or permits and charging a reasonable fee if needed, but can stop service when unsafe. Docking and lodge facilities must be provided under permit or concession consistent with the management plan. The Secretary must act to protect public health and safety and to fight fire, insect, or disease problems. When the Government buys land with privately owned homes, 20-year occupancy permits must be issued to the owners present at acquisition (and their spouse, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and direct descendants), renewable every 20 years if rules are followed. Use must be noncommercial, annual fees are based on fair market value, remodeling needs approval and cannot raise height or increase exterior dimensions by more than 25 percent from how the structure stood on May 17, 1990. The Secretary may buy a home at fair market value from a willing seller. Permits can be ended for noncompliance, and improvements left more than one year after termination become Federal property. Lands on Grand Island bought after January 1, 1990 are treated as additions to the National Forest Wilderness Area for payments under 31 U.S.C. 6904.