Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102
§797c Dams in National Park System Units
Title 16 › CHAPTER 12 — FEDERAL REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER › SUBCHAPTER I — REGULATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER POWER AND RESOURCES › § 797c
Summary
After October 24, 1992, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cannot grant an original license or an exemption under Part I of the Federal Power Act for a new hydroelectric project inside any National Park unit if the project would directly harm federal land there. It does not cancel or change any existing law or treaty that expressly allows a hydroelectric project.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §797c
Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
After October 24, 1992, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may not issue an original license under Part I of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] (nor an exemption from such Part) for any new hydroelectric power project located within the boundaries of any unit of the National Park System that would have a direct adverse effect on Federal lands within any such unit. Nothing in this section shall be construed as repealing any existing provision of law (or affecting any treaty) explicitly authorizing a hydroelectric power project.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Power Act, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063. Part I of the Act is classified generally to this subchapter (§ 791a et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 797c
Title 16, Conservation
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102