SUBCHAPTER II—CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ON PUBLIC LANDS
§670g. Wildlife, fish, and game conservation and rehabilitation programs
(a) Programs required
The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each, in cooperation with the State agencies and in accordance with comprehensive plans developed pursuant to
(b) Implementation of programs
The Secretary of the Interior shall implement the conservation and rehabilitation programs required under subsection (a) of this section on public land under his jurisdiction. The Secretary of the Interior shall adopt, modify, and implement the conservation and rehabilitation programs required under such subsection (a) on public land under the jurisdiction of the Chairman, but only with the prior written approval of the Atomic Energy Commission, and on public land under the jurisdiction of the Administrator, but only with the prior written approval of the Administrator. The Secretary of Agriculture shall implement such conservation and rehabilitation programs on public land under his jurisdiction.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
1982—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by
Desert Tortoise Conservation Center
"(a)
"(1) to support desert tortoise research, disease monitoring, handling training, rehabilitation, and reintroduction;
"(2) to provide temporary quarters for animals collected from authorized salvage from renewable energy sites; and
"(3) to ensure the full recovery and ongoing survival of the species.
"(b)
"(1) seek the participation of or contract with qualified organizations with expertise in desert tortoise disease research and experience with desert tortoise translocation techniques, and scientific training of professional biologists for handling tortoises, to staff and manage the Center;
"(2) ensure that the Center engages in public outreach and education on tortoise handling; and
"(3) consult with the State and the State of Nevada to ensure that the Center is operated consistent with State law.
"(c)
[For definitions of "Secretary" and "State" as used in section 1461 of
Desert Tortoise Plan
§670h. Comprehensive plans for conservation and rehabilitation programs
(a) Development of plans
(1) The Secretary of the Interior shall develop, in consultation with the State agencies, a comprehensive plan for conservation and rehabilitation programs to be implemented on public land under his jurisdiction and the Secretary of Agriculture shall do the same in connection with public land under his jurisdiction.
(2) The Secretary of the Interior shall develop, with the prior written approval of the Atomic Energy Commission, a comprehensive plan for conservation and rehabilitation programs to be implemented on public land under the jurisdiction of the Chairman and develop, with the prior written approval of the Administrator, a comprehensive plan for such programs to be implemented on public land under the jurisdiction of the Administrator. Each such plan shall be developed after the Secretary of the Interior makes, with the prior written approval of the Chairman or the Administrator, as the case may be, and in consultation with the State agencies, necessary studies and surveys of the land concerned to determine where conservation and rehabilitation programs are most needed.
(b) Consistency with overall land use and management plans; hunting, trapping, and fishing
Each comprehensive plan developed pursuant to this section shall be consistent with any overall land use and management plans for the lands involved. In any case in which hunting, trapping, or fishing (or any combination thereof) of resident fish and wildlife is to be permitted on public land under a comprehensive plan, such hunting, trapping, and fishing shall be conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations of the State in which such land is located.
(c) Cooperative agreements by State agencies for implementation of programs
(1) Each State agency may enter into a cooperative agreement with—
(A) the Secretary of the Interior with respect to those conservation and rehabilitation programs to be implemented under this subchapter within the State on public land which is under his jurisdiction;
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to those conservation and rehabilitation programs to be implemented under this subchapter within the State on public land which is under his jurisdiction; and
(C) the Secretary of the Interior and the Chairman or the Administrator, as the case may be, with respect to those conservation and rehabilitation programs to be implemented under this subchapter within the State on public land under the jurisdiction of the Chairman or the Administrator; except that before entering into any cooperative agreement which affects public land under the jurisdiction of the Chairman, the Secretary of the Interior shall obtain the prior written approval of the Atomic Energy Commission and before entering into any cooperative agreement which affects public lands under the jurisdiction of the Administrator, the Secretary of the Interior shall obtain the prior written approval of the Administrator.
Conservation and rehabilitation programs developed and implemented pursuant to this subchapter shall be deemed as supplemental to wildlife, fish, and game-related programs conducted by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to other provisions of law. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as the case may be, to manage the national forests or other public lands for wildlife and fish and other purposes in accordance with the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (
(2) Any conservation and rehabilitation program included within a cooperative agreement entered into under this subsection may be modified in a manner mutually agreeable to the State agency and the Secretary concerned (and the Chairman or the Administrator, as the case may be, if public land under his jurisdiction is involved). Before modifying any cooperative agreement which affects public land under the jurisdiction of the Chairman, the Secretary of the Interior shall obtain the prior written approval of the Atomic Energy Commission and before modifying any cooperative agreement which affects public land under the jurisdiction of the Administrator, the Secretary of the Interior shall obtain the prior written approval of the Administrator.
(3) Each cooperative agreement entered into under this subsection shall—
(A) specify those areas of public land within the State on which conservation and rehabilitation programs will be implemented;
(B) provide for fish and wildlife habitat improvements or modifications, or both;
(C) provide for range rehabilitation where necessary for support of wildlife;
(D) provide adequate protection for fish and wildlife officially classified as threatened or endangered pursuant to
(E) require the control of off-road vehicle traffic;
(F) if the issuance of public land area management stamps is agreed to pursuant to
(i) contain such terms and conditions as are required under
(ii) require the maintenance of accurate records and the filing of annual reports by the State agency to the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, or both, as the case may be, setting forth the amount and disposition of the fees collected for such stamps; and
(iii) authorize the Secretary concerned and the Comptroller General of the United States, or their authorized representatives, to have access to such records for purposes of audit and examination; and
(G) contain such other terms and conditions as the Secretary concerned and the State agency deem necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
A cooperative agreement may also provide for arrangements under which the Secretary concerned may authorize officers and employees of the State agency to enforce, or to assist in the enforcement of,
(4) Except where limited under a comprehensive plan or pursuant to cooperative agreement, hunting, fishing, and trapping shall be permitted with respect to resident fish and wildlife in accordance with applicable laws and regulations of the State in which such land is located on public land which is the subject of a conservation and rehabilitation program implemented under this subchapter.
(5) The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, as the case may be, shall prescribe such regulations as are deemed necessary to control, in a manner consistent with the applicable comprehensive plan and cooperative agreement, the public use of public land which is the subject of any conservation and rehabilitation program implemented by him under this subchapter.
(d) State agency agreements not cooperative agreements under other provisions
Agreements entered into by State agencies under the authority of this section shall not be deemed to be, or treated as, cooperative agreements to which
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is
Codification
In subsec. (d), "
Amendments
2011—
1982—Subsec. (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by
§670i. Public land management area stamps for hunting, trapping, and fishing on public lands subject to programs
(a) Agreements to require stamps
Any State agency may agree with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (or with the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as the case may be, if within the State concerned all conservation and rehabilitation programs under this subchapter will be implemented by him) that no individual will be permitted to hunt, trap, or fish on any public land within the State which is subject to a conservation and rehabilitation program implemented under this subchapter unless at the time such individual is engaged in such activity he has on his person a valid public land management area stamp issued pursuant to this section.
(b) Conditions for agreements
Any agreement made pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to require the issuance of public land management area stamps shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) Such stamps shall be issued, sold, and the fees therefor collected, by the State agency or by the authorized agents of such agency.
(2) Notice of the requirement to possess such stamps shall be displayed prominently in all places where State hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses are sold. To the maximum extent practicable, the sale of such stamps shall be combined with the sale of such State hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses.
(3) Except for expenses incurred in the printing, issuing, or selling of such stamps, the fees collected for such stamps by the State agency shall be utilized in carrying out conservation and rehabilitation programs implemented under this subchapter in the State concerned. Such fees may be used by the State agency to acquire lands or interests therein from willing sellers or donors to provide public access to program lands that have no existing public access for enhancement of outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation: Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior maintain such access, or ensure that maintenance is provided for such access, through or to lands within their respective jurisdiction.
(4) The purchase of any such stamp shall entitle the purchaser thereof to hunt, trap, and fish on any public land within such State which is the subject of a conservation or rehabilitation program implemented under this subchapter except to the extent that the public use of such land is limited pursuant to a comprehensive plan or cooperative agreement; but the purchase of any such stamp shall not be construed as (A) eliminating the requirement for the purchase of a migratory bird hunting stamp as set forth in
(5) The amount of the fee to be charged for such stamps, the age at which the individual is required to acquire such a stamp, and the expiration date for such stamps shall be mutually agreed upon by the State agency and the Secretary or Secretaries concerned; except that each such stamp shall be void not later than one year after the date of issuance.
(6) Each such stamp must be validated by the purchaser thereof by signing his name across the face of the stamp.
(7) Any individual to whom a stamp is sold pursuant to this section shall upon request exhibit such stamp for inspection to any officer or employee of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture, or to any other person who is authorized to enforce
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
1988—Subsec. (b)(3).
§670j. Enforcement provisions
(a) Violations and penalties
(1) Any person who hunts, traps, or fishes on any public land which is subject to a conservation and rehabilitation program implemented under this subchapter without having on his person a valid public land management area stamp, if the possession of such a stamp is required, shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
(2) Any person who knowingly violates or fails to comply with any regulations prescribed under
(b) Enforcement powers and proceedings
(1) For the purpose of enforcing subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture may designate any employee of their respective departments, and any State officer or employee authorized under a cooperative agreement to enforce such subsection (a), to (i) carry firearms; (ii) execute and serve any warrant or other process issued by a court or officer of competent jurisdiction; (iii) make arrests without warrant or process for a misdemeanor he has reasonable grounds to believe is being committed in his presence or view; (iv) search without warrant or process any person, place, or conveyance as provided by law; and (v) seize without warrant or process any evidentiary item as provided by law.
(2) Upon the sworn information by a competent person, any United States magistrate judge or court of competent jurisdiction may issue process for the arrest of any person charged with committing any offense under subsection (a) of this section.
(3) Any person charged with committing any offense under subsection (a) of this section may be tried and sentenced by any United States magistrate judge designated for that purpose by the court by which he was appointed, in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as provided for in
(c) Seizure and forfeiture
All guns, traps, nets, and other equipment, vessels, vehicles, and other means of transportation used by any person when engaged in committing an offense under subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States and may be seized and held pending the prosecution of any person arrested for committing such offense. Upon conviction for such offense, such forfeiture may be adjudicated as a penalty in addition to any other provided for committing such offense.
(d) Applicability of customs laws
All provisions of law relating to the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation of a vessel for violation of the customs laws, the disposition of such vessel or the proceeds from the sale thereof, and the remission or mitigation of such forfeitures, shall apply to the seizures and forfeitures incurred, or alleged to have been incurred, under the provisions of this section, insofar as such provisions of law are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this section; except that all powers, rights, and duties conferred or imposed by the customs laws upon any officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury shall, for the purposes of this section, be exercised or performed by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as the case may be, or by such persons as he may designate.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
Subsec. (b)(2), (3).
§670k. Definitions
As used in this subchapter—
(1) The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(2) The term "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
(3) The term "off-road vehicle" means any motorized vehicle designed for, or capable of, cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, sand, snow, ice, marsh, swampland, or other natural terrain; but such term does not include—
(A) any registered motorboat at the option of each State;
(B) any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle when used for emergency purposes; and
(C) any vehicle the use of which is expressly authorized by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture under a permit, lease, license, or contract.
(4) The term "public land" means all lands, under the respective jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Chairman, and the Administrator, except land which is, or hereafter may be, within or designated as—
(A) a military reservation;
(B) a unit of the National Park System;
(C) an area within the national wildlife refuge system;
(D) an Indian reservation; or
(E) an area within an Indian reservation or land held in trust by the United States for an Indian or Indian tribe.
(5) The term "State agency" means the agency or agencies of a State responsible for the administration of the fish and game laws of the State.
(6) The term "conservation and rehabilitation programs" means to utilize those methods and procedures which are necessary to protect, conserve, and enhance wildlife, fish, and game resources to the maximum extent practicable on public lands subject to this subchapter consistent with any overall land use and management plans for the lands involved. Such methods and procedures shall include, but shall not be limited to, all activities associated with scientific resources management such as protection, research, census, law enforcement, habitat management, propagation, live trapping and transplantation, and regulated taking in conformance with the provisions of this subchapter. Nothing in this term shall be construed as diminishing the authority or jurisdiction of the States with respect to the management of resident species of fish, wildlife, or game, except as otherwise provided by law.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by
§670l. Stamp requirements not applicable to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands; authorized fees
Notwithstanding any other provision in this subchapter,
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
§670m. Indian rights; State or Federal jurisdiction regulating Indian rights
Nothing in this subchapter shall enlarge or diminish or in any way affect (1) the rights of Indians or Indian tribes to the use of water or natural resources or their rights to fish, trap, or hunt wildlife as secured by statute, agreement, treaty, Executive order, or court decree; or (2) existing State or Federal jurisdiction to regulate those rights either on or off reservations.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
§670n. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, §312(d), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1355
Section,
§670o. Authorization of appropriations
(a) Functions and responsibilities of Secretary of the Interior
There are authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003, to enable the Secretary of the Interior to carry out his functions and responsibilities under this subchapter, including data collection, research, planning, and conservation and rehabilitation programs on public lands. Such funds shall be in addition to those authorized for wildlife, range, soil, and water management pursuant to
(b) Functions and responsibilities of Secretary of Agriculture
There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003, to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out his functions and responsibilities under this subchapter. Such funds shall be in addition to those provided under other provisions of law. In requesting funds under this subsection the Secretary shall take into account fish and wildlife program needs, including those for projects, identified in the State comprehensive plans as contained in the program developed pursuant to the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as amended (
(c) Use of other conservation or rehabilitation authorities
The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture may each use any authority available to him under other laws relating to fish, wildlife, or plant conservation or rehabilitation for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this subchapter.
(d) Contract authority
The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture may each make purchases and contracts for property and services from, or provide assistance to, the State agencies concerned, if such property, services or assistance is required to implement those projects and programs carried out on, or of benefit to, Federal lands and identified in the comprehensive plans or cooperative agreements developed under
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b), is
Codification
In subsec. (d), "division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3901, 3905, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41" substituted for "title III (other than section 304) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (
Prior Provisions
A prior section 208 of
Amendments
2011—
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1988—Subsecs. (a), (b).
1986—Subsecs. (a), (b).
1982—Subsecs. (a), (b).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
1978—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).