16 U.S.C. § 460ggg–1: National scenic area

Summary

About 7,100 acres in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia are set aside as the Coosa Bald National Scenic Area, shown on a map dated July 1991. The land is protected to keep its natural beauty, special ecological features, watershed health, mature-forest habitat, scenic recreation, and other special values. The Secretary must manage the area under National Forest rules, while honoring valid existing rights. New roads may be allowed if they help meet the protection goals, and existing permanent forest roads do not have to be closed or opened just because of this designation (but the Secretary may open or close them for good resource reasons). Timber cutting is generally not allowed except to meet the area’s goals, to remove damaged trees after fire, wind, or disease, or to protect visitors; current timber sale contracts can be finished. The area is removed from mineral leasing laws. The Secretary may keep or allow wildlife openings with partners and must protect opportunities for primitive and semi-primitive recreation.

Title 16, §460ggg–1

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Designation and purposes

For the purposes of protecting and enhancing the natural beauty, special ecological features, watershed integrity, mature-forest habitat, scenic recreation opportunities and other distinctive values of certain lands in Georgia, the lands in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia, which comprise approximately 7,100 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled “Coosa Bald Scenic Area—Proposed”, dated July 1991, are designated as a national scenic area and shall be known as the Coosa Bald National Scenic Area (hereafter in this section referred to as the “scenic area”).

(b)Administration

(1)Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall administer the scenic area in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the National Forest System in such a way as to further the purposes of this section.

(2)The Secretary may permit additional road construction in the scenic area in furtherance of the purposes for which the scenic area is established. Except as provided in this section, the Secretary may not conduct timber harvesting in the scenic area. The Secretary may remove timber in the scenic area in furtherance of this section, but only in a manner which does not impair the purposes for which the scenic area is established. Salvage or sanitation harvesting of timber stands which are substantially damaged by fire, windthrow or other catastrophe, or are in imminent danger from insect or disease attack, is authorized to maintain forest health. Timber harvesting is authorized to provide for visitor safety.

(3)By virtue of this designation alone, the Secretary need not change patterns of public access or closure on existing permanent national forest development roads. At his discretion, however, the Secretary may open or close such existing roads for public use for reasons of sound resource management.

(4)Nothing in this section shall prevent the completion of existing timber sales under contract.

(5)The scenic area is hereby withdrawn from the operation of all laws pertaining to mineral leasing.

(6)The Secretary may also permit, in his discretion, the continued maintenance of existing wildlife openings, in cooperation with the State of Georgia and other Federal, State, and private cooperators, and may permit new wildlife openings in furtherance of the purposes for which the scenic area is established.

(7)The Secretary shall protect, enhance, and promote the public’s opportunities for primitive and semiprimitive experiences in the scenic area.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The laws pertaining to mineral leasing, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), are classified generally to Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining.

§460ggg–1 National Scenic Area

Summary

Title 16, §460ggg–1

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Citations & Metadata