Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102
§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 and local governments to enforce or supervise state laws on lands that are part of national forests or national grasslands. The Secretary can pay back their costs, and States keep their civil and criminal authority 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
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102