Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-110
§460bbbb Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area
Title 16 › CHAPTER 1 — NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › SUBCHAPTER CXXXIX — ASHLEY KARST NATIONAL RECREATION AND GEOLOGIC AREA › § 460bbbb
Summary
Creates the Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area in Utah, made up of about 173,475 acres inside the Ashley National Forest as shown on a map dated February 4, 2019. Key terms: Management Plan — the plan the Secretary must write; Map — the “Northern Utah Lands Management Act-Overview” dated February 4, 2019; Recreation Area — the Ashley Karst area; Secretary — the Secretary of Agriculture; State — Utah. The area’s purpose is to protect the watershed, karst (underground) systems, geology, wildlife, recreation, scenery, natural places, and historic and cultural sites. The Secretary must file the map and a legal description with Congress and put copies in Forest Service offices as soon as practicable after March 12, 2019, and must finish a management plan within two years after March 12, 2019 with input from Uintah County, affected Tribes, and the public. Uses must support the protection goals and the karst system. Motor vehicles are allowed only on routes the Management Plan names, no new roads may be built after March 12, 2019, and existing roads may be maintained or rerouted for protection or safety. Snowmobiles are allowed and a winter recreation plan is required within two years after March 12, 2019. Water infrastructure access and maintenance must be preserved, and the Secretary must offer cooperative agreements for water repairs and delivery if the karst is impaired. Existing grazing permits before March 12, 2019 may continue with reasonable rules. State fish and wildlife authority remains. Nothing here creates or changes water rights or interstate compacts. Federal land in the area is withdrawn from public entry, mining claims, and mineral leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. Vegetation work, fire treatment, communication sites, wildlife water projects, and outfitting or guiding are allowed as appropriate. No general recreation entrance or use fees may be charged, except fees for improved campgrounds. Non-Federal lands inside the area are not affected, and owners must get reasonable access.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §460bbbb
Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Definitions
In this section: (1) Management Plan
(2)Map
The term “Map” means the map entitled “Northern Utah Lands Management Act-Overview” and dated February 4, 2019.
(3)Recreation Area
The term “Recreation Area” means the Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area established by subsection (b)(1).
(4)Secretary
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(5)State
The term “State” means the State of Utah.
(b)Establishment
(1)In general
Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area in the State.
(2)Area included
The Recreation Area shall consist of approximately 173,475 acres of land in the Ashley National Forest, as generally depicted on the Map.
(c)Purposes
The purposes of the Recreation Area are to conserve and protect the watershed, geological, recreational, wildlife, scenic, natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Recreation Area.
(d)Map and legal description
(1)In general
As soon as practicable after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a map and legal description of the Recreation Area.
(2)Effect
The map and legal description prepared under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this section, except that the Secretary may correct minor errors in the map or legal description.
(3)Availability
A copy of the map and legal description prepared under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service.
(e)Administration
(1)In general
The Secretary shall administer the Recreation Area in accordance with—
(A)the laws generally applicable to the National Forest System, including the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.);
(B)this section; and
(C)any other applicable law.
(2)Management plan
(A)In general
Not later than 2 years after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall prepare a management plan for the Recreation Area.
(B)Consultation
The Secretary shall—
(i)prepare the management plan in consultation and coordination with Uintah County, Utah, and affected Indian Tribes; and
(ii)provide for public input in the preparation of the management plan.
(f)Uses
The Secretary shall only allow such uses of the Recreation Area that would—
(1)further the purposes for which the Recreation Area is established; and
(2)promote the long-term protection and management of the watershed and underground karst system of the Recreation Area.
(g)Motorized vehicles
(1)In general
Except as needed for emergency response or administrative purposes, the use of motorized vehicles in the Recreation Area shall be permitted only on roads and motorized routes designated in the Management Plan for the use of motorized vehicles.
(2)New roads
No new permanent or temporary roads or other motorized vehicle routes shall be constructed within the Recreation Area after March 12, 2019.
(3)Existing roads
(A)In general
Necessary maintenance or repairs to existing roads designated in the Management Plan for the use of motorized vehicles, including necessary repairs to keep existing roads free of debris or other safety hazards, shall be permitted after March 12, 2019, consistent with the requirements of this section.
(B)Rerouting
Nothing in this subsection prevents the Secretary from rerouting an existing road or trail to protect Recreation Area resources from degradation, or to protect public safety, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(4)Over snow vehicles
(A)In general
Nothing in this section prohibits the use of snowmobiles and other over snow vehicles within the Recreation Area.
(B)Winter recreation use plan
Not later than 2 years after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall undertake a winter recreation use planning process, which shall include opportunities for use by snowmobiles or other over snow vehicles in appropriate areas of the Recreation Area.
(5)Applicable law
Activities authorized under this subsection shall be consistent with the applicable forest plan and travel management plan for, and any law (including regulations) applicable to, the Ashley National Forest.
(h)Water infrastructure
(1)Existing access
The designation of the Recreation Area shall not affect the ability of authorized users to access, operate, and maintain water infrastructure facilities within the Recreation Area in accordance with applicable authorizations and permits.
(2)Cooperative agreements
(A)In general
The Secretary shall offer to enter into a cooperative agreement with authorized users and local governmental entities to provide, in accordance with any applicable law (including regulations)—
(i)access, including motorized access, for repair and maintenance to water infrastructure facilities within the Recreation Area, including Whiterocks Reservoir, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary; and
(ii)access and maintenance by authorized users and local governmental entities for the continued delivery of water to the Ashley Valley if water flows cease or become diminished due to impairment of the karst system, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(i)Grazing
The grazing of livestock in the Recreation Area, where established before March 12, 2019, shall be allowed to continue, subject to such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers to be necessary in accordance with—
(1)applicable law (including regulations);
(2)the purposes of the Recreation Area; and
(3)the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617).
(j)Fish and wildlife
Nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction of the State with respect to the management of fish and wildlife on Federal land in the State.
(k)Wildlife water projects
The Secretary, in consultation with the State, may authorize wildlife water projects (including guzzlers) within the Recreation Area.
(l)Water rights
Nothing in this section
(1)
(2)affects any water rights in the State;
(3)affects the use or allocation, in existence on March 12, 2019, of any water, water right, or interest in water;
(4)affects any vested absolute or decreed conditional water right in existence on March 12, 2019, including any water right held by the United States;
(5)affects any interstate water compact in existence on March 12, 2019; or
(6)shall be considered to be a relinquishment or reduction of any water rights reserved or appropriated by the United States in the State on or before March 12, 2019.
(m)Withdrawal
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land in the Recreation Area is withdrawn from—
(1)all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws;
(2)location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3)operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
(n)Vegetation management
Nothing in this section prevents the Secretary from conducting vegetation management projects, including fuels reduction activities, within the Recreation Area for the purposes of improving water quality and reducing risks from wildfire.
(o)Wildland fire operations
Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary, in consultation with other Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies, as appropriate, from conducting wildland fire treatment operations or restoration operations in the Recreation Area, consistent with the purposes of this section.
(p)Recreation fees
Except for fees for improved campgrounds, the Secretary is prohibited from collecting recreation entrance or recreation use fees within the Recreation Area.
(q)Communication infrastructure
Nothing in this section affects the continued use of, and access to, communication infrastructure (including necessary upgrades) within the Recreation Area, in accordance with applicable authorizations and permits.
(r)Non-Federal land (s) Outfitting and guide activities
(1)In general
Nothing in this section affects non-Federal land or interests in non-Federal land within the Recreation Area.
(2)Access
The Secretary shall provide reasonable access to non-Federal land or interests in non-Federal land within the Recreation Area.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(A), is Pub. L. 93–378, Aug. 17, 1974, 88 Stat. 476, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 1600 et seq.) of chapter 36 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 1600 of this title and Tables.
Prior Provisions
Prior sections 460bbbb to 460bbbb–7 were transferred to sections 410www to 410www–7 of this title. section 460bbbb, Pub. L. 96–428, § 1, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1839; Pub. L. 102–575, title XL, § 4024(a), Oct. 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 4768; Pub. L. 115–108, § 2(1)–(3), Jan. 8, 2018, 131 Stat. 2267, related to establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. section 460bbbb–1, Pub. L. 96–428, § 2, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1839; Pub. L. 108–314, § 3, Oct. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 1199; Pub. L. 115–108, § 2(2), (3), Jan. 8, 2018, 131 Stat. 2267, related to administration of the Park. section 460bbbb–2, Pub. L. 96–428, § 3, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1840; Pub. L. 115–108, § 2(3), (4), Jan. 8, 2018, 131 Stat. 2267, related to authority of Secretary regarding property and concessions. section 460bbbb–3, Pub. L. 96–428, § 4, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1841, related to establishment of the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site Advisory Commission. section 460bbbb–4, Pub. L. 96–428, § 5, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1842; Pub. L. 115–108, § 2(3), Jan. 8, 2018, 131 Stat. 2267, related to prohibition of entrance or admission fees. section 460bbbb–5, Pub. L. 96–428, § 6, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1842; Pub. L. 102–575, title XL, § 4024(b), Oct. 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 4768, related to authorization of appropriations and limitation on authority to enter into contracts, incur obligations, or make payments. section 460bbbb–6, Pub. L. 96–428, § 7, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1842, related to minimization of adverse impacts on preservation district. section 460bbbb–7, Pub. L. 96–428, § 8, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1843, related to submission of comprehensive general management plan.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 460bbbb
Title 16, Conservation
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110