---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3196"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3196"
heading: "Administrative sites and visitor facilities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3196"
units:
  - "Chapter 51 — Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation"
  - "Subchapter VI — Administrative Provisions"
---

# §3196. Administrative sites and visitor facilities

- (a) **Establishment—** In conformity with the conservation and [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) prepared for each [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) and the purposes of assuring the preservation, protection, and proper management of any [conservation system unit](/usc/16/3102.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may establish sites and visitor facilities—
  - (1) within the [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4), if compatible with the purposes for which the [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) is established, expanded, or designated by this Act, and the other provisions of this Act, or
  - (2) outside the boundaries of, and in the vicinity of, the [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4).

  To the extent practicable and desirable, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall attempt to locate such sites and facilities on [Native lands](/usc/16/3102.md?p=11) in the vicinity of the [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4).

- (b) **Authorities of Secretary—** For the purpose of establishing administrative sites and visitor facilities under [subsection (a)](#a)—
  - (1) the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) and the head of the Federal agency having primary authority over the administration of any [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) which the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines is suitable for use in carrying out such purpose may enter into agreements permitting the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) to use such land for such purposes;
  - (2) notwithstanding any other provision of law, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), under such terms and conditions as he determines are reasonable, may lease or [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) by purchase, donation, exchange, or any other method (except condemnation) real property (other than [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2)), office space, housing, and other necessary facilities which the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines to be suitable for carrying out such purposes; and
  - (3) the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may construct, operate, and maintain such permanent and temporary buildings and facilities as he deems appropriate on land which is within, or in the vicinity of, any [conservation system unit](/usc/16/3102.md?p=4) and with respect to which the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) has acquired authority under this subsection to use the property for the purpose of establishing an administrative site or visitor facility under [subsection (a)](#a), except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may not begin construction of buildings and facilities on land not owned by the United States until the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) of such land has entered into an agreement with the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), the terms of which assure the continued use of such buildings and facilities in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–487, title XIII, § 1306, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2479.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(3), is Pub. L. 96–487, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2371, known as the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3101 of this title and Tables.