SUBCHAPTER CXLIII—ALABAMA HILLS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
§460ffff. Definitions
In this subchapter:
(1) Management plan
The term "management plan" means the management plan for the Scenic Area developed under
(2) Map
The term "Map" means the map entitled "Proposed Alabama Hills National Scenic Area" and dated November 7, 2018.
(3) Motorized vehicle
The term "motorized vehicle" means a motorized or mechanized vehicle and includes, when used by a utility, mechanized equipment, a helicopter, and any other aerial device necessary to maintain electrical or communications infrastructure.
(4) Scenic area
The term "Scenic Area" means the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area established by
(5) State
The term "State" means the State of California.
(6) Tribe
The term "Tribe" means the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe.
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§460ffff–1. Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, California
(a) Establishment
Subject to valid existing rights, there is established in Inyo County, California, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, to be comprised of the approximately 18,610 acres generally depicted on the Map as "National Scenic Area".
(b) Purpose
The purpose of the Scenic Area is to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future generations the nationally significant scenic, cultural, geological, educational, biological, historical, recreational, cinematographic, and scientific resources of the Scenic Area managed consistent with section 302(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (
(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
The map and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this subchapter, except that the Secretary may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal descriptions.
(3) Public availability
Each map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
(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 (
(B) this subchapter; and
(C) any other applicable laws.
(e) Management
(1) In general
The Secretary shall allow only such uses of the Scenic Area as the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the Scenic Area as described in subsection (b).
(2) Recreational activities
Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter or other applicable law, or as the Secretary determines to be necessary for public health and safety, the Secretary shall allow existing recreational uses of the Scenic Area to continue, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, sightseeing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and appropriate authorized motorized vehicle use in accordance with paragraph (3).
(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
Nothing in this subchapter creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Scenic Area.
(2) Activities outside Scenic Area
The fact that an activity or use on land outside the Scenic Area can be seen or heard within the Scenic Area shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundaries of the Scenic Area.
(g) Access
The Secretary shall provide private landowners adequate access to inholdings in the Scenic Area.
(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
Nothing in this subchapter affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with respect to 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
Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies, as appropriate, from conducting wildland fire operations in the Scenic Area, consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b).
(m) Cooperative agreements
The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with, State, Tribal, and local governmental entities and private entities to conduct research, interpretation, or public education or to carry out any other initiative relating to the restoration, conservation, or management of the Scenic Area.
(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 (
(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
Consistent with this subchapter, the Management Plan shall establish provisions for maintenance of public utility and other rights-of-way within the Scenic Area.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (d)(4)(A), is
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (n)(1)(C)(i), is
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Definitions
For definition of "Secretary" as used in this section, see section 3 of
§460ffff–2. Management plan
(a) In general
Not later than 3 years after March 12, 2019, in accordance with subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term management of the Scenic Area.
(b) Consultation
In developing the management plan, the Secretary shall consult with—
(1) appropriate State, Tribal, and local governmental entities, including Inyo County and the Tribe;
(2) utilities, including Southern California Edison Company and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power;
(3) the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group; and
(4) members of the public.
(c) Requirement
In accordance with this subchapter, the management plan shall include provisions for maintenance of existing public utility and other rights-of-way within the Scenic Area.
(d) Incorporation
In developing the management plan, in accordance with this section, the Secretary may allow casual use mining limited to the use of hand tools, metal detectors, hand-fed dry washers, vacuum cleaners, gold pans, small sluices, and similar items.
(e) Interim management
Pending completion of the management plan, the Secretary shall manage the Scenic Area in accordance with
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Definitions
For definition of "Secretary" as used in this section, see section 3 of
§460ffff–3. Land taken into trust for Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Reservation
(a) Trust land
(1) In general
On completion of the survey described in subsection (b), all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the approximately 132 acres of Federal land depicted on the Map as "Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Reservation Addition" shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Tribe, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Conditions
The land described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to all easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions, withdrawals, and other matters of record in existence on March 12, 2019.
(3) Exclusion
The Federal land over which the right-of-way for the Los Angeles Aqueduct is located, generally described as the 250-foot-wide right-of-way granted to the City of Los Angeles pursuant to the Act of June 30, 1906 (
(b) Survey
Not later than 180 days after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall complete a survey of the boundary lines to establish the boundaries of the land to be held in trust under subsection (a)(1).
(c) Reservation land
The land held in trust pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall be considered to be a part of the reservation of the Tribe.
(d) Gaming prohibition
Land held in trust under subsection (a)(1) shall not be eligible, or considered to have been taken into trust, for gaming (within the meaning of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Act of June 30, 1906, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is act June 30, 1906, ch. 3926,
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, referred to in subsec. (d), is
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Definitions
For definition of "Secretary" as used in this section, see section 3 of
§460ffff–4. Transfer of administrative jurisdiction
Administrative jurisdiction over the approximately 56 acres of Federal land depicted on the Map as "USFS Transfer to BLM" is transferred from the Forest Service to the Bureau of Land Management.
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§460ffff–5. Protection of services and recreational opportunities
(a) Effect of subchapter
Nothing in this subchapter limits commercial services for existing or historic recreation uses, as authorized by the permit process of the Bureau of Land Management.
(b) Guided recreational opportunities
Commercial permits to exercise guided recreational opportunities for the public that are authorized as of March 12, 2019, may continue to be authorized.
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