Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102
§556 Appropriations for Forest Service; Use for Transportation or Traveling Expenses; Preparation or Publication of Newspaper or Magazine Articles
Title 16 › CHAPTER 3 — FORESTS; FOREST SERVICE; REFORESTATION; MANAGEMENT › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 556
Summary
Forest Service money must not pay travel costs for officers or agents unless the trip is official and directly furthers work the Forest Service is authorized to do. Those funds also cannot be used to pay for writing or publishing newspaper or magazine articles. The agency can, however, share facts or official information with anyone, including reporters. Paying for scientific or technical articles in scientific journals is allowed.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §556
Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
No part of any funds appropriated for the Forest Service shall be used to pay the transportation or traveling expenses of any forest officer or agent except he be traveling on business directly connected with the Forest Service and in furtherance of the works, aims, and objects specified and authorized by law; nor shall any such funds be paid or used for the purpose of paying for, in whole or in part, the preparation or publication of any newspaper or magazine article, but this shall not prevent the giving out to all persons, without discrimination, including newspapers and magazine writers and publishers, of any facts or official information of value to the public: Provided, That this prohibition shall not apply to scientific or technical articles prepared for or published in scientific publications.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1958—Pub. L. 85–464 made prohibition inapplicable to scientific or technical articles prepared for or published in scientific publications.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 556
Title 16, Conservation
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102