Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102

§531 Definitions

Title 16 › CHAPTER 2 — NATIONAL FORESTS › SUBCHAPTER I — ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION › § 531

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines two terms used in sections 528–531. "Multiple use" means managing a national forest’s renewable surface resources together so they serve the American people. It lets managers shift uses over time, allows some land to be used for only some resources, and coordinates uses so the land keeps producing. The aim is not just to get the most money or the single biggest output. "Sustained yield" means keeping a steady, high annual or regular output of those renewable resources forever without reducing the land’s ability to produce them.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §531

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in sections 528 to 531 of this title the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)“Multiple use” means: The management of all the various renewable surface resources of the national forests so that they are utilized in the combination that will best meet the needs of the American people; making the most judicious use of the land for some or all of these resources or related services over areas large enough to provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing needs and conditions; that some land will be used for less than all of the resources; and harmonious and coordinated management of the various resources, each with the other, without impairment of the productivity of the land, with consideration being given to the relative values of the various resources, and not necessarily the combination of uses that will give the greatest dollar return or the greatest unit output.

(b)“Sustained yield of the several products and services” means the achievement and maintenance in perpetuity of a high-level annual or regular periodic output of the various renewable resources of the national forests without impairment of the productivity of the land.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 531

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102