16 USC 460ffff-1 - Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, California

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 04, 2024

§ 460ffff–1.

Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, California

(a)

Establishment

(b)

Purpose

(c)

Map; legal descriptions

(1)

In general

As soon as practicable after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall file a map and a legal description of the Scenic Area with—

(A)

the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and

(B)

the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

(2)

Force of law

(3)

Public availability

(d)

Administration

The Secretary shall manage the Scenic Area—

(1)

as a component of the National Landscape Conservation System;

(2)

so as not to impact the future continuing operation and maintenance of any activities associated with valid, existing rights, including water rights;

(3)

in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources and values of the Scenic Area described in subsection (b); and

(4)

in accordance with—

(A)

the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);

(B)

this subchapter; and

(C)

any other applicable laws.

(e)

Management

(1)

In general

(2)

Recreational activities

(3)

Motorized vehicles

Except as otherwise specified in this subchapter, or as necessary for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use of motorized vehicles in the Scenic Area shall be permitted only on—

(A)

roads and trails designated by the Secretary for use of motorized vehicles as part of a management plan sustaining a semiprimitive motorized experience; or

(B)

county-maintained roads in accordance with applicable State and county laws.

(f)

No buffer zones

(1)

In general

(2)

Activities outside Scenic Area

(g)

Access

(h)

Filming

Nothing in this subchapter prohibits filming (including commercial film production, student filming, and still photography) within the Scenic Area—

(1)

subject to—

(A)

such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers to be necessary; and

(B)

applicable law; and

(2)

in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b).

(i)

Fish and wildlife

(j)

Livestock

The grazing of livestock in the Scenic Area, including grazing under the Alabama Hills allotment and the George Creek allotment, as established before March 12, 2019, shall be permitted to continue—

(1)

subject to—

(A)

such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers to be necessary; and

(B)

applicable law; and

(2)

in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b).

(k)

Withdrawal

Subject to the provisions of this subchapter and valid rights in existence on March 12, 2019, including rights established by prior withdrawals, the Federal land within the Scenic Area is withdrawn from all forms of—

(1)

entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;

(2)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(3)

disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.

(l)

Wildland fire operations

(m)

Cooperative agreements

(n)

Utility facilities and rights-of-way

(1)

Effect of subchapter

Nothing in this subchapter—

(A)

affects the existence, use, operation, maintenance (including vegetation control), repair, construction, reconfiguration, expansion, inspection, renewal, reconstruction, alteration, addition, relocation, improvement, funding, removal, or replacement of any utility facility or appurtenant right-of-way within or adjacent to the Scenic Area;

(B)

subject to subsection (e), affects necessary or efficient access to utility facilities or rights-of-way within or adjacent to the Scenic Area; and

(C)

precludes the Secretary from authorizing the establishment of new utility facility rights-of-way (including instream sites, routes, and areas) within the Scenic Area in a manner that minimizes harm to the purpose of the Scenic Area as described in subsection (b)—

(i)

in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any other applicable law;

(ii)

subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and

(iii)

that are determined by the Secretary to be the only technical or feasible location, following consideration of alternatives within existing rights-of-way or outside of the Scenic Area.

(2)

Management plan

(Pub. L. 103–433, title XIV, § 1402, as added Pub. L. 116–9, title I, § 1441, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 706.)

cite as: 16 USC 460ffff-1