§8571 — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

Allows the Secretary concerned to make "good neighbor" agreements with a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county so those partners can help build or fix recreation sites on federal, tribal, or other land. Authorized recreation services — recreation improvement work done on Federal, non‑Federal, or Tribal land by the Secretary or by a Governor, Tribe, or county under a good neighbor agreement. County — the county’s chief executive, or the chief executive of a group of counties when more than one is involved. Federal land — lands in the National Forest System, National Park System, or other public lands. Recreation enhancement or improvement services — projects that create, repair, or improve trails, campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, restrooms, roads and parking that serve recreation areas, docks and boat landings, fishing or hunting sites, ski area infrastructure, visitor centers, and similar work that improves access. Good neighbor agreement — a cooperative contract between the Secretary and a Governor, Tribe, or county. Governor — the State or Puerto Rico chief executive or their appropriate official. Secretary concerned — the Secretary of Agriculture for National Forest System land, and the Secretary of the Interior for National Park System land and public lands. The Secretary concerned may enter into these agreements, must make each agreement available to the public, and may give financial or technical help to partners doing the work. Any decision required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for projects on Federal land cannot be delegated to a Governor, Tribe, or county.

Title 16, §8571

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section:

(1)The term “authorized recreation services” means similar and complementary recreation enhancement or improvement services carried out—

(A)on Federal land, non-Federal land, or land owned by an Indian Tribe; and

(B)by either the Secretary or a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county, as applicable, pursuant to a good neighbor agreement.

(2)The term “county” means—

(A)the appropriate executive official of an affected county; or

(B)in any case in which multiple counties are affected, the appropriate executive official of a compact of the affected counties.

(3)The term “Federal land” means land that is—

(A)owned and administered by the United States as a part of—

(i)the National Forest System; or

(ii)the National Park System; or

(B)public lands (as defined in section 1702 of title 43).

(4)The term “recreation enhancement or improvement services” means—

(A)establishing, repairing, restoring, improving, relocating, constructing, or reconstructing new or existing—

(i)trails or trailheads;

(ii)campgrounds and camping areas;

(iii)cabins;

(iv)picnic areas or other day use areas;

(v)shooting ranges;

(vi)restroom or shower facilities;

(vii)paved or permanent roads or parking areas that serve existing recreation facilities or areas;

(viii)fishing piers, wildlife viewing platforms, docks, or other constructed features at a recreation site;

(ix)boat landings;

(x)hunting or fishing sites;

(xi)infrastructure within ski areas; or

(xii)visitor centers or other interpretative sites; and

(B)activities that create, improve, or restore access to existing recreation facilities or areas.

(5)The term “good neighbor agreement” means a cooperative agreement or contract (including a sole source contract) entered into between the Secretary and a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county, as applicable, to carry out authorized recreation services under this subchapter.

(6)The term “Governor” means the Governor or any other appropriate executive official of an affected State or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(7)The term “Secretary concerned” means—

(A)the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System land; and

(B)the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to National Park System land and public lands.

(b)(1)The Secretary concerned may enter into a good neighbor agreement with a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county to carry out authorized recreation services in accordance with this subchapter.

(2)The Secretary concerned shall make each good neighbor agreement available to the public.

(3)(A)The Secretary concerned may provide financial or technical assistance to a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county carrying out authorized recreation services.

(B)

(4)Any decision required to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to any authorized recreation services to be provided under this section on Federal land shall not be delegated to a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(5) and (b)(1), was in the original “this title”, meaning title III of Pub. L. 118–234, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2891, which is classified principally to this subchapter. For complete classification of title III to the Code, see Tables. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables. Codification Section is comprised of section 351 of Pub. L. 118–234. Subsec. (b)(3)(B) of section 351 of Pub. L. 118–234 amended section 2113a of this title.

§8571 Good neighbor authority for recreation