Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73not60
§551a Cooperation by Secretary of Agriculture with States and Political Subdivisions in Law Enforcement
Title 16 › Chapter 3— FORESTS; FOREST SERVICE; REFORESTATION; MANAGEMENT › Subchapter I— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 551a
Summary
The Secretary of Agriculture may work with States or local governments on lands in the national forest system to help enforce or supervise State laws there. The Department can reimburse a State for costs from those activities, and this does not take away a State’s right to handle civil or criminal matters on those lands.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §551a
Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary of Agriculture, in connection with the administration and regulation of the use and occupancy of the national forests and national grasslands, is authorized to cooperate with any State or political subdivision thereof, on lands which are within or part of any unit of the national forest system, in the enforcement or supervision of the laws or ordinances of a State or subdivision thereof. Such cooperation may include the reimbursement of a State or its subdivision for expenditures incurred in connection with activities on national forest system lands. This section shall not deprive any State or political subdivision thereof of its right to exercise civil and criminal jurisdiction, within or on lands which are a part of the national forest system.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 551a
Title 16 — Conservation
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60