---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 410fff–5"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "410fff–5"
heading: "Establishment of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/410fff-5"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LIX–DD — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area"
---

# §410fff–5. Establishment of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) There is established the Gunnison Gorge National [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1), consisting of approximately 57,725 acres as generally depicted on the [Map](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=2).
  - (2) The boundary of the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) is revised to include the [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) of approximately 7,100 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=2) entitled “Black Canyon of the Gunnison National [Park](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=3) and Gunnison Gorge NCA Boundary Modifications”, and dated April 2, 2003.
- (b) **Management of Conservation Area—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=4), acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, shall manage the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) to protect the resources of the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) in accordance with—
  - (1) this subchapter;
  - (2) the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1701](/usc/43/1701.md) et seq.); and
  - (3) other applicable provisions of law.
- (c) **Withdrawal—** Subject to valid existing rights, all [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) within the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) are hereby withdrawn from all forms of entry, appropriation or disposal under the public land laws; from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and from disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing, and all amendments thereto.
- (d) **Hunting, trapping, and fishing—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=4) shall permit hunting, trapping, and fishing within the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) in accordance with applicable laws (including regulations) of the United States and the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Colorado.
  - (2) **Exception—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=4), after consultation with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, may issue regulations designating zones where and establishing periods when no hunting or trapping shall be permitted for reasons concerning—
    - (A) public safety;
    - (B) administration; or
    - (C) public use and enjoyment.
- (e) **Use of motorized vehicles—** In [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to the use of motorized vehicles on established roadways, the use of motorized vehicles in the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) shall be allowed to the extent the use is compatible with off-highway vehicle designations as described in the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) in effect on October 21, 1999.
- (f) **Conservation Area management plan—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 4 years after October 21, 1999, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=4) shall—
    - (A) develop a comprehensive plan for the long-range protection and management of the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1); and
    - (B) transmit the plan to—
      - (i) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
      - (ii) the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives.
  - (2) **Contents of plan—** The plan—
    - (A) shall describe the appropriate uses and management of the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) in accordance with this subchapter;
    - (B) may incorporate appropriate decisions contained in any management or activity plan for the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) completed prior to October 21, 1999;
    - (C) may incorporate appropriate wildlife habitat [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) or other plans prepared for the land within or adjacent to the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) prior to October 21, 1999;
    - (D) shall be prepared in close consultation with appropriate Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), county, and local agencies; and
    - (E) may use information developed prior to October 21, 1999, in studies of the land within or adjacent to the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1).
- (g) **Boundary revisions—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=4) may make revisions to the boundary of the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) following [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) of land necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the [Conservation Area](/usc/16/410fff–1.md?p=1) was designated.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–76, § 7, Oct. 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 1129; Pub. L. 108–128, § 3, Nov. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 1356.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 94–579, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2743, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of Title 43 and Tables.

### Amendments

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–128 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.