---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 410dddd"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "410dddd"
heading: "White Sands National Park"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/410dddd"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LIX–BBB — White Sands National Park"
---

# §410dddd. White Sands National Park

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Map—** The term “[Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1)” means the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “White Sands National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Proposed Boundary Revision & Transfer of Lands Between National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service & Department of the Army”, numbered 142/136,271, and dated February 14, 2017.
  - (2) **Military munitions—** The term “military munitions” has the meaning given the term in section 101(e)[^1] of title 10.
  - (3) **Missile range—** The term “missile range” means the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army.
  - (4) **Monument—** The term “Monument” means the White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, established by Presidential Proclamation No. 2025 ([54 U.S.C. 320301](/usc/54/320301.md) note), dated January 18, 1933, and administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.
  - (5) **Munitions debris—** The term “munitions debris” has the meaning given the term in volume 8 of the Department of Defense Manual Number 6055.09-M entitled “DoD Ammunitions and Explosives Safety Standards” and dated February 29, 2008 (as in effect on December 20, 2019).
  - (6) **Park—** The term “[Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3)” means the White Sands National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) established by [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1).
  - (7) **Public land order—** The term “Public Land Order” means Public Land Order 833, dated May 21, 1952 (17 Fed. Reg. 4822).
  - (8) **State—** The term “[State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)” means the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of New Mexico.
- (b) **White Sands National Park—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** To protect, [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2), and restore its scenic, scientific, educational, natural, geological, historical, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, hydrological, fish, wildlife, and recreational values and to enhance visitor experiences, there is established in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) the White Sands National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) as a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) System.
  - (2) **Abolishment of White Sands National Monument—**
    - (A) **Abolishment—** Due to the establishment of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), the Monument is abolished.
    - (B) **Incorporation—** The land and interests in land that comprise the Monument are incorporated in, and shall be considered to be part of, the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
  - (3) **References—** Any reference in a law, [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1), regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the “White Sands National Monument” shall be considered to be a reference to the “White Sands National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3)”.
  - (4) **Availability of funds—** Any funds available for the Monument shall be available for the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
  - (5) **Administration—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall administer the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) in accordance with—
    - (A) this subsection; and
    - (B) the laws generally applicable to [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) System, including section 100101(a), chapter 1003, sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101, and chapter 3201 of title 54.
  - (6) **World Heritage List nomination—**
    - (A) **County concurrence—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall not submit a nomination for the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) to be included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization unless each county in which the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) is located concurs in the nomination.
    - (B) **Army notification—** Before submitting a nomination for the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) to be included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall notify the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army of the intent of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior to nominate the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
  - (7) **Effect—** Nothing in this subsection affects—
    - (A) valid existing rights (including water rights);
    - (B) permits or contracts issued by the Monument;
    - (C) existing agreements, including agreements with the Department of Defense;
    - (D) the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense regarding the restricted airspace above the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3); or
    - (E) the airshed classification of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) under the Clean Air Act ([42 U.S.C. 7401](/usc/42/7401.md) et seq.).
- (c) **Modification of Boundaries of White Sands National Park and White Sands Missile Range—**
  - (1) **Transfers of administrative jurisdiction—**
    - (A) **Transfer of administrative jurisdiction to the Secretary of the Interior—**
      - (i) **In general—** Administrative jurisdiction over the land described in [clause (ii)](#c-1-A-ii) is transferred from the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.
      - (ii) **Description of land—** The land referred to in [clause (i)](#c-1-A-i) is—
        - (I) the approximately 2,826 acres of land identified as “To NPS, lands inside current boundary” on the [Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1); and
        - (II) the approximately 5,766 acres of land identified as “To NPS, new [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2)” on the [Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1).
    - (B) **Transfer of administrative jurisdiction to the Secretary of the Army—**
      - (i) **In general—** Administrative jurisdiction over the land described in [clause (ii)](#c-1-B-ii) is transferred from the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army.
      - (ii) **Description of land—** The land referred to in [clause (i)](#c-1-B-i) is the approximately 3,737 acres of land identified as “To DOA” on the [Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Boundary modifications—**
    - (A) **Park—**
      - (i) **In general—** The boundary of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) is revised to reflect the boundary depicted on the [Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1).
      - (ii) **Map—**
        - (I) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, in coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army, shall prepare and keep on file for public inspection in the appropriate office of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior a [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and a legal description of the revised boundary of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
        - (II) **Effect—** The [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description under [subclause (I)](#c-2-A-ii-I) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this section, except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior may correct clerical and typographical errors in the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description.
      - (iii) **Boundary survey—** As soon as practicable after the date of the establishment of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) and subject to the availability of funds, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall complete an official boundary survey of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
    - (B) **Missile range—**
      - (i) **In general—** The boundary of the missile range and the Public Land Order are modified to exclude the land transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior under [paragraph (1)(A)](#c-1-A) and to include the land transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army under [paragraph (1)(B)](#c-1-B).
      - (ii) **Map—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall prepare a [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description depicting the revised boundary of the missile range.
    - (C) **Omitted—**
  - (3) **Administration—**
    - (A) **Park—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall administer the land transferred under [paragraph (1)(A)](#c-1-A) in accordance with laws (including regulations) applicable to the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
    - (B) **Missile range—** Subject to [subparagraph (C)](#c-3-C), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army shall administer the land transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army under [paragraph (1)(B)](#c-1-B) as part of the missile range.
    - (C) **Infrastructure; resource management—**
      - (i) **Range road 7—**
        - (I) **Infrastructure management—** To the maximum extent practicable, in planning, constructing, and managing infrastructure on the land described in [subclause (III)](#c-3-C-i-III), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army shall apply low-impact development techniques and strategies to prevent impacts within the missile range and the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) from stormwater runoff from the land described in that subclause.
        - (II) **Resource management—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army shall—
          - (aa) manage the land described in [subclause (III)](#c-3-C-i-III) in a manner consistent with the protection of natural and cultural resources within the missile range and the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) and in accordance with [section 670a(a)(1)(B) of this title](/usc/16/670a.md?p=a-1-B), division A of subtitle III of [title 54](/usc/54.md), and the [Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ([25 U.S.C. 3001](/usc/25/3001.md) et seq.); and
          - (bb) include the land described in [subclause (III)](#c-3-C-i-III) in the integrated natural and cultural resource [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for the missile range.
        - (III) **Description of land—** The land referred to in subclauses [(I)](#c-3-C-i-I) and [(II)](#c-3-C-i-II) is the land that is transferred to the administrative jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army under [paragraph (1)(B)](#c-1-B) and located in the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) east of Range Road 7 in—
          - (aa) T. 17 S., R. 5 E., [sec. 31](/usc/16/31.md);
          - (bb) T. 18 S., R. 5 E.; and
          - (cc) T. 19 S., R. 5 E., sec. 5.
      - (ii) **Fence—**
        - (I) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army shall continue to allow the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior to maintain the fence shown on the [Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) until such time as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior determines that the fence is unnecessary for the management of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
        - (II) **Removal—** If the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior determines that the fence is unnecessary for the management of the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) under [subclause (I)](#c-3-C-ii-I), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall promptly remove the fence at the expense of the Department of the Interior.
    - (D) **Research—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army and the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior may enter into an agreement to allow the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior to conduct certain research in the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) identified as “Cooperative Use Research [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” on the [Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1).
    - (E) **Military munitions and munitions debris—**
      - (i) **Response action—** With respect to any Federal liability, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army shall remain responsible for any response action addressing military munitions or munitions debris on the land transferred under [paragraph (1)(A)](#c-1-A) to the same extent as on the day before December 20, 2019.
      - (ii) **Investigation of military munitions and munitions debris—**
        - (I) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior may request that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army conduct 1 or more investigations of military munitions or munitions debris on any land transferred under [paragraph (1)(A)](#c-1-A).
        - (II) **Access—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior shall give access to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army to the land covered by a request under [subclause (I)](#c-3-E-ii-I) for the purposes of conducting the 1 or more investigations under that subclause.
        - (III) **Limitation—** An investigation conducted under this clause shall be subject to available appropriations.
      - (iii) **Applicable law—** Any activities undertaken under this subparagraph shall be carried out in accordance with—
        - (I) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ([42 U.S.C. 9601](/usc/42/9601.md) et seq.);
        - (II) the purposes for which the [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) was established; and
        - (III) any other applicable law.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–92, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2851, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1895.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 101(e) of title 10, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was redesignated section 101(f) of title 10, and a new subsec. 101(e) of title 10 was added, by Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1713(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 625.

Presidential Proclamation No. 2025, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), is Proc. No. 2025, Jan. 18, 1933, 47 Stat. 2551, which is listed in a table of National Monuments Established Under Presidential Proclamation set out under section 320301 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(E), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§ 7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(C)(i)(II)(aa), is Pub. L. 101–601, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3048, which is classified principally to chapter 32 (§ 3001 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3001 of Title 25 and Tables.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(E)(iii)(I), is Pub. L. 96–510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767, which is classified principally to chapter 103 (§ 9601 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9601 of Title 42 and Tables.

### Codification

Section is comprised of section 2851 of Pub. L. 116–92. Subsec. (c)(2)(C) of section 2851 of Pub. L. 116–92 repealed section 2854 of Pub. L. 104–201, div. B, title XXVIII, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2803, which is listed in a table of National Monuments Established Under Presidential Proclamation set out under section 320301 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Historical Marker Commemorating Effects of Radiation Exposure at Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range

Pub. L. 119–60, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2861, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1324, provided that:Historical Markers Required.— Holloman air force base.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall place a historical marker as described in subsection (b) in a publicly accessible location at the Holloman Air Force Base. White sands missile range.—The Secretary of the Army shall place a historical marker as described in subsection (b) in a publicly accessible location at the White Sands Missile Range. Required Information.—A historical marker described in subsection (a) shall commemorate the effects of radiation exposure on communities in New Mexico as a result of the Manhattan Project and the nuclear test conducted at the Trinity Site. Such historical marker shall include, at a minimum, the following: An unclassified description of the history of the Manhattan Project and its purpose, including a description of the nuclear test conducted at the Trinity Site and an acknowledgement that it was the location of the world’s first nuclear weapons test. A description of how the classified nature of the Manhattan Project and the nuclear test conducted at the Trinity Site led to the unknowing exposure of individuals in communities located downwind from such testing to radiological byproducts and associated consequences of such byproducts. The markers will honor the resilience of the New Mexico communities during and after World War II, recognizing the service and sacrifice of all who contributed to the war effort. Briefing Required.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025], the Secretary of the Air Force and Secretary of the Army shall jointly provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and Senate a briefing on the implementation of the requirements of this section. Definitions.—In this section: Manhattan project.—The term ‘Manhattan Project’ means the Federal military program to develop an atomic bomb ending on December 31, 1946. Trinity site.—The term ‘Trinity Site’ means the location in the Jornada del Muerto desert near Alamogordo, New Mexico, on the former Alamorgordo Bombing and Gunnery Range, known today as Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Range, where the world’s first nuclear weapon was exploded on July 16, 1945.”