16 USC 539n - Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 03, 2024

§ 539n.

Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit

(1)

Establishment

(A)

In general

(B)

Exclusion of certain land

(C)

Withdrawal

(i)

In general

Subject to valid rights in existence on March 30, 2009, the Federal land designated as the Management Unit is withdrawn from all forms of—

(I)

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

(II)

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

(III)

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

(ii)

Exception

(2)

Purposes

The purposes of the Management Unit are—

(A)

to ensure the protection of the quality and quantity of the Crystal Springs watershed as a clean drinking water source for the residents of Hood River County, Oregon; and

(B)

to allow visitors to enjoy the special scenic, natural, cultural, and wildlife values of the Crystal Springs watershed.

(3)

Map and legal description

(A)

Submission of legal description

As soon as practicable after March 30, 2009, the Secretary shall file a map and a legal description of the Management Unit with—

(i)

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

(ii)

the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

(B)

Force of law

(C)

Public availability

(4)

Administration

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall—

(i)

administer the Management Unit—

(I)

in accordance with the laws (including regulations) and rules applicable to units of the National Forest System; and

(II)

consistent with the purposes described in paragraph (2); and

(ii)

only allow uses of the Management Unit that are consistent with the purposes described in paragraph (2).

(B)

Fuel reduction in proximity to improvements and primary public roads

To protect the water quality, water quantity, and scenic, cultural, natural, and wildlife values of the Management Unit, the Secretary may conduct fuel reduction and forest health management treatments to maintain and restore fire-resilient forest structures containing late successional forest structure characterized by large trees and multistoried canopies, as ecologically appropriate, on National Forest System land in the Management Unit—

(i)

in any area located not more than 400 feet from structures located on—

(I)

National Forest System land; or

(II)

private land adjacent to National Forest System land;

(ii)

in any area located not more than 400 feet from the Cooper Spur Road, the Cloud Cap Road, or the Cooper Spur Ski Area Loop Road; and

(iii)

on any other National Forest System land in the Management Unit, with priority given to activities that restore previously harvested stands, including the removal of logging slash, smaller diameter material, and ladder fuels.

(5)

Prohibited activities

Subject to valid existing rights, the following activities shall be prohibited on National Forest System land in the Management Unit:

(A)

New road construction or renovation of existing non-System roads, except as necessary to protect public health and safety.

(B)

Projects undertaken for the purpose of harvesting commercial timber (other than activities relating to the harvest of merchantable products that are byproducts of activities conducted to further the purposes described in paragraph (2)).

(C)

Commercial livestock grazing.

(D)

The placement of new fuel storage tanks.

(E)

Except to the extent necessary to further the purposes described in paragraph (2), the application of any toxic chemicals (other than fire retardants), including pesticides, rodenticides, or herbicides.

(6)

Forest road closures

(A)

In general

(B)

Exception

(7)

Private land

(A)

Effect

Nothing in this section affects the use of, or access to, any private property within the area identified on the map as the “Crystal Springs Zone of Contribution” by—

(i)

the owners of the private property; and

(ii)

guests to the private property.

(B)

Cooperation

(8)

Acquisition of land

(A)

In general

(B)

Inclusion in Management Unit

(Pub. L. 111–11, title I, § 1205(a), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1014.)

cite as: 16 USC 539n