---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460cccc"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460cccc"
heading: "John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460cccc"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter CXL — John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area"
---

# §460cccc. John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Map—** The term “[Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1)” means the Bureau of Land Management [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Proposed John Wesley Powell National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” and dated December 10, 2018.
  - (2) **National Conservation Area—** The term “National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” means the John Wesley Powell National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) established by [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1).
- (b) **Establishment—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the John Wesley Powell National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Utah.
  - (2) **Area included—** The National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall consist of approximately 29,868 acres of public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management as generally depicted on the [Map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1).
- (c) **Purposes—** The purposes of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) are to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit of present and future generations the nationally significant historic, cultural, natural, scientific, scenic, recreational, archaeological, educational, and wildlife resources of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (d) **Map and legal description—**
  - (1) **In general—** As soon as practicable after March 12, 2019, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall prepare and file a [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
  - (2) **Effect—** The [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description prepared under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) 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) may correct minor errors in the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) or legal description.
  - (3) **Availability—** A copy of the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.
- (e) **Management—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall manage the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)—
  - (1) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
  - (2) in accordance with—
    - (A) 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.);
    - (B) this section; and
    - (C) any other applicable law; and
  - (3) as a component of the National Landscape Conservation System.
  - (4) **Management plan—**
    - (A) **In general.—** Not later than 2 years after March 12, 2019, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall develop a [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
    - (B) **Consultation.—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall prepare the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k)—
      - (i) in consultation and coordination with the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Utah, Uintah County, and affected [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g); and
      - (ii) after providing for public input.
- (f) **Uses—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall only allow such uses of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines would further the purposes for which the National Conservation is established.
- (g) **Acquisition—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) land or interests in land within the boundaries of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange.
  - (2) **Incorporation in National Conservation Area—** Any land or interest in land located inside the boundary of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that is acquired by the United States after March 12, 2019, shall be added to and administered as part of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
  - (3) **State land—** On request of the Utah School and Institutional [Trust](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=4) Lands Administration and, if practicable, not later than 5 years after March 12, 2019, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall seek to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) all [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)-owned land within the boundaries of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) by exchange or purchase, subject to the appropriation of necessary funds.
- (h) **Motorized vehicles—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#h-2), except in cases in which motorized vehicles are needed for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use of motorized vehicles in the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall be permitted only on roads designated in the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k).
  - (2) **Use of motorized vehicles prior to completion of management plan—** Prior to completion of the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), the use of motorized vehicles within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall be permitted in accordance with the applicable Bureau of Land Management resource [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k).
- (i) **Grazing—** The grazing of livestock in the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), where established before March 12, 2019, shall be allowed to continue, subject to such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) considers to be necessary in accordance with—
  - (1) applicable law (including regulations);
  - (2) the purposes of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); and
  - (3) the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress (House Report 101–405).
- (j) **Fish and wildlife—** Nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Utah with respect to the management of [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) on [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a).
- (k) **Wildlife water projects—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in consultation with the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Utah, may authorize wildlife water [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) (including guzzlers) within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (l) **Greater sage-grouse conservation projects—** Nothing in this section affects the authority of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) to undertake Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) conservation [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) to maintain and improve Greater sage-grouse habitat, including the management of vegetation through mechanical means, to further the purposes of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (m) **Water rights—** Nothing in this section—
  - (1) constitutes an express or implied reservation by the United States of any water rights with respect to the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
  - (2) affects any water rights in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a);
  - (3) affects the use or allocation, in existence on March 12, 2019, of any water, water right, or interest in water;
  - (4) affects any vested absolute or decreed conditional water right in existence on March 12, 2019, including any water right held by the United States;
  - (5) affects any interstate water compact in existence on March 12, 2019; or
  - (6) shall be considered to be a relinquishment or reduction of any water rights reserved or appropriated by the United States in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) on or before March 12, 2019.
- (n) **No buffer zones—**
  - (1) **In general—** Nothing in this section creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
  - (2) **Activities outside National Conservation Area—** The fact that an authorized activity or use on land outside the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) can be seen or heard within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundary of the [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (o) **Withdrawal—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to valid existing rights, all [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) in the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) (including any land acquired after March 12, 2019) is withdrawn from—
    - (A) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws;
    - (B) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
    - (C) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
- (p) **Vegetation management—** Nothing in this section prevents the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) from conducting vegetation management [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4), including fuels reduction activities, within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that are consistent with this section and that further the purposes of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (q) **Wildland fire operations—** Nothing in this section prohibits the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in consultation with other Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), local, and Tribal agencies, as appropriate, from conducting wildland fire prevention and restoration operations in the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), consistent with the purposes of this section.
- (r) **Recreation fees—** Except for improved campgrounds, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) is prohibited from collecting recreation entrance or use fees within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (s) **Outfitting and guide activities—** Outfitting and guide services within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), including commercial outfitting and guide services, are authorized in accordance with this section and other applicable law (including regulations).
- (t) **Non-Federal land—**
  - (1) **In general—** Nothing in this section affects non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) or interests in non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
  - (2) **Reasonable access—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall provide reasonable access to non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) or interests in non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) within the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (u) **Research and interpretive management—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may establish programs and [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for the conduct of scientific, historical, cultural, archeological, and natural studies through the use of public and private partnerships that further the purposes of the National Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–9, title I, § 1118, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 627.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(A), 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.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 460cccc, Pub. L. 115–141, div. G, title I, § 121(a)(2), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 661, which related to Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, was transferred to section 410xxx of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Definition of “Secretary”

“Secretary” as meaning the Secretary of the Interior, see section 2 of Pub. L. 116–9, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.