16 USC 670 - Program for public outdoor recreation

Collapse to view only § 670c. Program for public outdoor recreation

§ 670. Definitions
§ 670a. Cooperative plan for conservation and rehabilitation
§ 670a-1. Repealed.
§ 670b. Migratory game birds; hunting permits
§ 670c. Program for public outdoor recreation
§ 670c-1. Cooperative and interagency agreements for land management on installations
§ 670d. Liability for funds; accounting to Comptroller General
§ 670e. Applicability to other laws; national forest lands
§ 670e-1. Federal enforcement of other laws
§ 670e-2. Natural resources management services
§ 670f. Appropriations and expenditures

§ 670. Definitions

In this subchapter:

(1) Military installation

The term “military installation”—

(A) means any land or interest in land owned by the United States and administered by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department, except land under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Secretary of the Army having responsibility for civil works;

(B) includes all public lands withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under public land laws and reserved for use by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department; and

(C) does not include any land described in subparagraph (A) or (B) that is subject to an approved recommendation for closure under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101–510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note).

(2) State

(3) State-owned National Guard installation

(4) State fish and wildlife agency

(5) United States

(6) Indian tribe

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 100, as added Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, § 2911, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2021; amended Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(a)(1), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1351; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title III, § 312(b), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1691.)

§ 670a. Cooperative plan for conservation and rehabilitation

(a) Authority of Secretary of Defense

(1) Program

(A) In general

(B) Integrated natural resources management plan

(i) To facilitate the program, the Secretary of each military department shall prepare and implement an integrated natural resources management plan for each military installation in the United States under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, unless the Secretary determines that the absence of significant natural resources on a particular installation makes preparation of such a plan inappropriate.

(ii) The Secretary of a military department may, subject to the availability of appropriations, develop and implement an integrated natural resources management plan for a State-owned National Guard installation. Such a plan shall be developed and implemented in coordination with the chief executive officer of the State in which the State-owned National Guard installation is located. Such a plan is deemed, for purposes of any other provision of law, to be for lands or other geographical areas owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use.

(2) Cooperative preparation

(3) Purposes of program

(A) Consistent with the use of military installations and State-owned National Guard installations to ensure the preparedness of the Armed Forces, the Secretaries of the military departments shall carry out the program required by this subsection to provide for—

(i) the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on such installations;

(ii) the use of natural and nature-based features to maintain or improve military installation resilience;

(iii) the sustainable multipurpose use of the resources on such installations, which shall include hunting, fishing, trapping, and nonconsumptive uses; and

(iv) subject to safety requirements and military security, public access to military installations to facilitate the use.

(B) In the case of a State-owned National Guard installation, such program shall be carried out in coordination with the chief executive officer of the State in which the installation is located.

(4) Effect on other lawNothing in this subchapter—

(A)

(i) affects any provision of a Federal law governing the conservation or protection of fish and wildlife resources; or

(ii) enlarges or diminishes the responsibility and authority of any State for the protection and management of fish and resident wildlife; or

(B) except as specifically provided in the other provisions of this section and in section 670b of this title, authorizes the Secretary of a military department to require a Federal license or permit to hunt, fish, or trap on a military installation.

(b) Required elements of plansConsistent with the use of military installations and State-owned National Guard installations to ensure the preparedness of the Armed Forces, each integrated natural resources management plan prepared under subsection (a)—

(1) shall, to the extent appropriate and applicable, provide for—

(A) fish and wildlife management, land management, forest management, and fish- and wildlife-oriented recreation;

(B) fish and wildlife habitat enhancement or modifications;

(D) integration of, and consistency among, the various activities conducted under the plan;

(E) establishment of specific natural resource management goals and objectives and time frames for proposed action;

(F) sustainable use by the public of natural resources to the extent that the use is not inconsistent with the needs of fish and wildlife resources;

(G) public access to the installation that is necessary or appropriate for the use described in subparagraph (F), subject to requirements necessary to ensure safety and military security;

(H) enforcement of applicable natural resource laws (including regulations);

(I) no net loss in the capability of installation lands to support the military mission of the installation; and

(J) such other activities as the Secretary of the military department determines appropriate;

(2) must be reviewed as to operation and effect by the parties thereto on a regular basis, but not less often than every 5 years; and

(3) may, in the case of a military installation, stipulate the issuance of special State hunting and fishing permits to individuals and require payment of nominal fees therefor, which fees shall be utilized for the protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife, including habitat improvement and related activities in accordance with the integrated natural resources management plan; except that—

(A) the Commanding Officer of the installation or persons designated by that Officer are authorized to enforce such special hunting and fishing permits and to collect, spend, administer, and account for fees for the permits, acting as agent or agents for the State if the integrated natural resources management plan so provides, and

(B) the fees collected under this paragraph may not be expended with respect to other than the military installation on which collected, unless the military installation is subsequently closed, in which case the fees may be transferred to another military installation to be used for the same purposes.

(c) Prohibitions on sale and lease of lands unless effects compatible with planAfter an integrated natural resources management plan is agreed to under subsection (a)—

(1) no sale of land, or forest products from land, that is within a military installation covered by that plan may be made under section 2665(a) or (b) of title 10; and

(2) no leasing of land that is within the installation may be made under section 2667 of such title 10;

unless the effects of that sale or leasing are compatible with the purposes of the plan.

(d) Implementation and enforcement of integrated natural resources management plansWith regard to the implementation and enforcement of integrated natural resources management plans agreed to under subsection (a)—

(1) neither Office of Management and Budget Circular A–76 nor any successor circular thereto applies to the procurement of services that are necessary for that implementation and enforcement; and

(2) priority shall be given to the entering into of contracts for the procurement of such implementation and enforcement services with Federal and State agencies having responsibility for the conservation or management of fish or wildlife.

(e) Applicability of other laws

(f) Reviews and reports

(1) Secretary of DefenseNot later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary of Defense shall review the extent to which integrated natural resources management plans were prepared or were in effect and implemented in accordance with this subchapter in the preceding year, and submit a report on the findings of the review to the committees. Each report shall include—

(A) the number of integrated natural resources management plans in effect in the year covered by the report, including the date on which each plan was issued in final form or most recently revised;

(B) the amounts expended on conservation activities conducted pursuant to the plans in the year covered by the report; and

(2) Secretary of the Interior

(3) “Committees” definedIn this subsection, the term “committees” means—

(A) the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.

(g) Program for invasive species management for military installations

(1) Inclusion of invasive species managementThe Secretary of Defense shall, to the extent practicable and conducive to military readiness, incorporate in integrated natural resources management plans for military installations the management, control, and eradication of invasive species—

(A) that are not native to the ecosystem of the military installation; and

(B) the introduction of which cause or may cause harm to military readiness, the environment, or human health and safety.

(2) Consultation

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 101, formerly § 1, Sept. 15, 1960, 74 Stat. 1052; renumbered title I, § 101, and amended Pub. L. 93–452, §§ 1(1), 3(1), (2), Oct. 18, 1974, 88 Stat. 1369, 1375; Pub. L. 97–396, § 1, Dec. 31, 1982, 96 Stat. 2005; Pub. L. 99–561, § 3(a)(1), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3150; Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, §§ 2904(a)–(b)(4), (c), 2906, 2907, 2913(2)–(4), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1067(19), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title III, § 311(c)(1), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1429; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title III, § 314, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2248; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(a)(2), (b)(1), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1352, 1353; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title III, § 387, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2546.)

§ 670a–1. Repealed. Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, § 2912, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2022

§ 670b. Migratory game birds; hunting permits

(a) Integrated natural resources management plan

(b) Applicability of other laws

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 102, formerly § 2, Sept. 15, 1960, 74 Stat. 1053; renumbered title I, § 102, and amended Pub. L. 93–452, § 3(1), (3), Oct. 18, 1974, 88 Stat. 1375; Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, §§ 2904(b)(5), 2913(5), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2018, 2022; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(b)(2), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1353.)

§ 670c. Program for public outdoor recreation

(a) Program authorized

(b) Access for disabled veterans, military dependents with disabilities, and other persons with disabilities

(1) In developing facilities and conducting programs for public outdoor recreation at military installations, consistent with the primary military mission of the installations, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure, to the extent reasonably practicable, that outdoor recreation opportunities (including fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, boating, and camping) made available to the public also provide access for persons described in paragraph (2) when topographic, vegetative, and water resources allow access for such persons without substantial modification to the natural environment.

(2) Persons referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:

(A) Disabled veterans.

(B) Military dependents with disabilities.

(C) Other persons with disabilities, when access to a military installation for such persons and other civilians is not otherwise restricted.

(3) The Secretary of Defense shall carry out this subsection in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, national service, military, and veterans organizations, and sporting organizations in the private sector that participate in outdoor recreation projects for persons described in paragraph (2).

(c) Acceptance of donationsIn connection with the facilities and programs for public outdoor recreation at military installations, in particular the requirement under subsection (b) to provide access for persons described in paragraph (2) of such subsection, the Secretary of Defense may accept—

(1) the voluntary services of individuals and organizations; and

(2) donations of property, whether real or personal.

(d) Treatment of volunteersA volunteer under subsection (c) shall not be considered to be a Federal employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment, including those relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation, and Federal employee benefits, except that—

(1) for the purposes of the tort claims provisions of chapter 171 of title 28, the volunteer shall be considered to be a Federal employee; and

(2) for the purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, relating to compensation to Federal employees for work injuries, the volunteer shall be considered to be an employee, as defined in section 8101(1)(B) of title 5, and the provisions of such subchapter shall apply.

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 103, formerly § 3, Sept. 15, 1960, 74 Stat. 1053; Pub. L. 90–465, § 1, Aug. 8, 1968, 82 Stat. 661; renumbered title I, § 103, Pub. L. 93–452, § 3(1), Oct. 18, 1974, 88 Stat. 1375; Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, §§ 2904(b)(6), 2913(6), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2018, 2022; Pub. L. 105–261, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2813, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2206.)

§ 670c–1. Cooperative and interagency agreements for land management on installations

(a) Authority of Secretary of military departmentThe Secretary of a military department may enter into cooperative agreements with States, local governments, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals, and into interagency agreements with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, to provide for the following:

(1) The maintenance and improvement of natural resources on, or to benefit natural and historic research on, military installations and State-owned National Guard installations.

(2) The maintenance and improvement of natural resources located off of a military installation or State-owned National Guard installation if the purpose of the cooperative agreement or interagency agreement is to relieve or eliminate current or anticipated challenges that could restrict, impede, or otherwise interfere with, whether directly or indirectly, current or anticipated military activities.

(b) Multiyear agreements

(1) Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for a fiscal year may be obligated to cover the cost of goods and services provided under a cooperative agreement or interagency agreement entered into under subsection (a) or through an agency agreement under section 1535 of title 31 during any 18-month period beginning in that fiscal year, without regard to whether the agreement crosses fiscal years.

(2) In the case of a cooperative agreement under subsection (a)(2), such funds—

(A) may be paid in a lump sum and include an amount intended to cover the future costs of the natural resource maintenance and improvement activities provided for under the agreement; and

(B) may be placed by the recipient in an interest-bearing or other investment account, and any interest or income shall be applied for the same purposes as the principal.

(3) If any funds are placed by a recipient in an interest-bearing or other investment account under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of Defense shall report biennially to the congressional defense committees on the disposition of such funds.

(1) Cooperative agreements and interagency agreements entered into under this section shall be subject to the availability of funds.

(2) Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, a cooperative agreement under this section may be used to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States Government.

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 103a, as added Pub. L. 101–189, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2845(a), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1664; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, § 2908, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2021; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title III, § 313, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4409; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title III, § 313, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2248; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(a)(3), (b)(3), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1352, 1353; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title III, § 312(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1691; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title III, § 312, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3336.)

§ 670d. Liability for funds; accounting to Comptroller General

The Department of Defense is held free from any liability to pay into the Treasury of the United States upon the operation of the program or programs authorized by this subchapter any funds which may have been or may hereafter be collected, received or expended pursuant to, and for the purposes of, this subchapter, and which collections, receipts and expenditures have been properly accounted for to the Comptroller General of the United States.

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 104, formerly § 4, Sept. 15, 1960, 74 Stat. 1053; renumbered title I, § 104, and amended Pub. L. 93–452, § 3(1), (4), Oct. 18, 1974, 88 Stat. 1375; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(b)(4), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1353.)

§ 670e. Applicability to other laws; national forest lands

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to modify, amend or repeal any provision of Public Law 85–337, nor as applying to national forest lands administered pursuant to the provisions of section 9 of the Act of June 7, 1924 (43 Stat. 655), nor section 315m of title 43.

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 105, formerly § 5, Sept. 15, 1960, 74 Stat. 1053; renumbered title I, § 105, Pub. L. 93–452, § 3(1), Oct. 18, 1974, 88 Stat. 1375; amended Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(b)(5), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1353.)

§ 670e–1. Federal enforcement of other laws

All Federal laws relating to the management of natural resources on Federal land may be enforced by the Secretary of Defense with respect to violations of the laws that occur on military installations within the United States.

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 106, as added Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, § 2909(2), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2021.)

§ 670e–2. Natural resources management services

To the extent practicable using available resources, the Secretary of each military department shall ensure that sufficient numbers of professionally trained natural resources management personnel and natural resources law enforcement personnel are available and assigned responsibility to perform tasks necessary to carry out this subchapter, including the preparation and implementation of integrated natural resources management plans.

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 107, as added Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, § 2910, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2021.)

§ 670f. Appropriations and expenditures

(a) Expenditures of collected funds under integrated natural resources management plans

(b) Authorization of appropriations to Secretary of Defense

(d) Use of other conservation or rehabilitation authorities

(Pub. L. 86–797, title I, § 108, formerly § 6, as added Pub. L. 90–465, § 2, Aug. 8, 1968, 82 Stat. 661; renumbered title I, § 106, and amended Pub. L. 93–452, §§ 1(2), 3(1), (4), (5), Oct. 18, 1974, 88 Stat. 1369, 1375; Pub. L. 95–420, § 2, Oct. 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 921; Pub. L. 97–396, § 2, Dec. 31, 1982, 96 Stat. 2005; Pub. L. 99–561, §§ 1(a), 3(b), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3149, 3151; Pub. L. 100–653, title II, § 202(a), Nov. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 3827; Pub. L. 101–189, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2845(b), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1664; renumbered § 108, and amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. B, title XXIX, §§ 2904(b)(7), (8), 2909(1), 2914(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2018, 2021, 2022; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title III, § 311(a), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1428; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title III, § 312, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2247; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(b)(6), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1353; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title III, § 313, title X, § 1091(c)(1), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 729, 876.)