16 U.S.C. § 546b: Seng Mountain and Bear Creek…

Summary

Creates two National Scenic Areas inside the Jefferson National Forest: Seng Mountain (about 5,192 acres) and Bear Creek (about 5,128 acres), shown on maps dated April 28, 2008. Their main goals are to protect scenic views, water quality, natural features, wildlife and fish habitat, and areas that might become old-growth forest, while still allowing a range of recreation that fits those protections. The Secretary must manage the areas under forest laws and only allow uses that support those goals. A management plan must be added to the Jefferson National Forest plan within 2 years after March 30, 2009. After that date no new roads may be built, but private landowners keep access to their property. Timber cutting is mostly banned except to fight fire, protect safety or trails, or stop insects or disease; firewood for personal use is allowed along perimeter roads with conditions. Motor vehicles are not allowed except for certain administrative or wildlife work and limited seasonal hunting access on Forest Development Roads 49410, 84b, and part of 6261. Firefighting must fit the protection goals. Water quality must be maintained and federal lands in the areas are withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing laws, subject to existing rights.

Title 16, §546b

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Establishment

There are designated as National Scenic Areas—

(1)certain National Forest System land in the Jefferson National Forest, comprising approximately 5,192 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch” and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the “Seng Mountain National Scenic Area”; and

(2)certain National Forest System land in the Jefferson National Forest, comprising approximately 5,128 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Bear Creek” and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the “Bear Creek National Scenic Area”.

(b)Purposes

The purposes of the scenic areas are—

(1)to ensure the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources of the scenic areas;

(2)consistent with paragraph (1), to protect wildlife and fish habitat in the scenic areas;

(3)to protect areas in the scenic areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; and

(4)consistent with paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), to provide a variety of recreation opportunities in the scenic areas.

(c)Administration

(1)In general

The Secretary shall administer the scenic areas in accordance with—

(A)this subtitle; and

(B)the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System.

(2)Authorized uses

The Secretary shall only allow uses of the scenic areas that the Secretary determines will further the purposes of the scenic areas, as described in subsection (b).

(d)Management plan

(1)In general

Not later than 2 years after March 30, 2009, the Secretary shall develop as an amendment to the land and resource management plan for the Jefferson National Forest a management plan for the scenic areas.

(2)Effect

Nothing in this subsection requires the Secretary to revise the land and resource management plan for the Jefferson National Forest under section 1604 of this title.

(e)Roads

(1)In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), after March 30, 2009, no roads shall be established or constructed within the scenic areas.

(2)Limitation

Nothing in this subsection denies any owner of private land (or an interest in private land) that is located in a scenic area the right to access the private land.

(f)Timber harvest

(1)In general

Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), no harvesting of timber shall be allowed within the scenic areas.

(2)Exceptions

The Secretary may authorize harvesting of timber in the scenic areas if the Secretary determines that the harvesting is necessary to—

(A)control fire;

(B)provide for public safety or trail access; or

(C)control insect and disease outbreaks.

(3)Firewood for personal use

Firewood may be harvested for personal use along perimeter roads in the scenic areas, subject to any conditions that the Secretary may impose.

(g)Insect and disease outbreaks

The Secretary may control insect and disease outbreaks—

(1)to maintain scenic quality;

(2)to prevent tree mortality;

(3)to reduce hazards to visitors; or

(4)to protect private land.

(h)Vegetation management

The Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices in the scenic areas to maintain the visual quality and wildlife clearings in existence on March 30, 2009.

(i)Motorized vehicles

(1)In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), motorized vehicles shall not be allowed within the scenic areas.

(2)Exceptions

The Secretary may authorize the use of motorized vehicles—

(A)to carry out administrative activities that further the purposes of the scenic areas, as described in subsection (b);

(B)to assist wildlife management projects in existence on March 30, 2009; and

(C)during deer and bear hunting seasons—

(i)on Forest Development Roads 49410 and 84b; and

(ii)on the portion of Forest Development Road 6261 designated on the map described in subsection (a)(2) as “open seasonally”.

(j)Wildfire suppression

Wildfire suppression within the scenic areas shall be conducted—

(1)in a manner consistent with the purposes of the scenic areas, as described in subsection (b); and

(2)using such means as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(k)Water

The Secretary shall administer the scenic areas in a manner that maintains and enhances water quality.

(l)Withdrawal

Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land in the scenic areas is withdrawn from—

(1)location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(2)operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subtitle, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(A), is subtitle B (§§ 1101–1107) of title I of Pub. L. 111–11, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1002, which enacted this section and section 546b–1 of this title, enacted provisions set out as a note below, and enacted and amended provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title. For complete classification of subtitle B to the Code, see Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions Pub. L. 111–11, title I, § 1101, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1002, provided that: “In this subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 1101–1107) of title I of Pub. L. 111–11, enacting this section and section 546b–1 of this title and enacting and amending provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title]: “(1) Scenic areas.—The term ‘scenic areas’ means the Seng Mountain National Scenic Area and the Bear Creek National Scenic Area. “(2) Secretary.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Agriculture.”

§546b Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia

Summary

Title 16, §546b

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Citations & Metadata