In order to provide, in furtherance of the purposes of the Colorado River storage project, for the public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and surrounding lands in the States of Utah and Wyoming and the conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to public enjoyment of such lands and waters, there is hereby established, subject to valid existing rights, the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in the States of Utah and Wyoming (hereinafter referred to as the “recreation area”). The boundaries of the recreation area shall be those shown on the map entitled “Proposed Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area,” which is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.

The administration, protection, and development of the recreation area shall be by the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter called the “Secretary”) in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to national forests, in a manner coordinated with the other purposes of the Colorado River storage project, and in such manner as in his judgment will best provide for (1) public outdoor recreation benefits; (2) conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to public enjoyment; and (3) such management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources as in his judgment will promote or are compatible with, and do not significantly impair the purposes for which the recreation area is established: Provided, That lands or waters needed or used for the operation of the Colorado River storage project shall continue to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior to the extent he determines to be required for such operation.

Within six months after October 1, 1968, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed description of the boundaries of the recreation area. Following such publication, the Secretary may make minor adjustments in the boundary of the recreation area by publication of the amended description thereof in the Federal Register: Provided, That the total acreage of the recreation area within the adjusted boundary does not exceed the acreage of the recreation area as shown on the map referred to in section 460v of this title.

The Secretary shall permit hunting, fishing, and trapping on the lands and waters under his jurisdiction within the recreation area in accordance with the applicable Federal and State laws: Provided, That the Secretary, after consultation with the respective State fish and game commissions, may issue regulations designating zones where and establishing periods when no hunting, fishing, or trapping shall be permitted for reasons of public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment. Nothing in this subchapter shall affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the States of Utah and Wyoming under other provisions of State laws with respect to hunting and fishing.

The lands within the recreation area, subject to valid existing rights, are hereby withdrawn from location, entry, and patent under the United States mining laws. The Secretary of the Interior, under such regulations as he deems appropriate, may permit the removal of the nonleasable minerals from lands or interests in lands within the recreation area in the manner prescribed by section 387 of title 43, and he may permit the removal of leasable minerals from lands or interests in lands within the recreation area in accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act of February 24, 1920,1

All receipts derived from permits and leases issued under the authority of this section for removal of nonleasable minerals shall be paid into the same funds or accounts in the Treasury of the United States and shall be distributed in the same manner as provided for receipts from national forests. Any receipts derived from permits or leases issued on lands in the recreation area under the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920, as amended, or the Act of August 7, 1947, shall be disposed of as provided in the applicable Act.

The boundaries of the Ashley National Forest are hereby extended to include all of the lands not presently within such boundaries lying within the recreation area as described in accordance with sections 460v and 460v–2 of this title.

Subject to any valid claim or entry now existing and hereafter legally maintained, all public lands of the United States and all lands of the United States heretofore or hereafter acquired or reserved for use in connection with the Colorado River storage project within the exterior boundaries of the recreation area which have not heretofore been added to and made a part of the Ashley National Forest, and all lands of the United States acquired for the purpose of the recreation area, are hereby added to and made a part of the Ashley National Forest: Provided, That lands within the flow lines of any reservoir operated and maintained by the Department of the Interior or otherwise needed or used for the operation of the Colorado River storage project shall continue to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior to the extent he determines to be required for such operation.

Funds hereafter appropriated and available for the acquisition of lands and waters and interests therein in the national forest system pursuant to section 200306 of title 54 shall be available for the acquisition of any lands, waters, and interests therein within the boundaries of the recreation area.

Nothing in this subchapter shall deprive any State or political subdivision thereof of its right to exercise civil and criminal jurisdiction within the recreation area consistent with the provisions of this subchapter or of its right to tax persons, corporations, franchises, or other non-Federal property, including mineral or other interests, in or on lands or waters within the recreation area.