---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460k–3"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460k–3"
heading: "Charges and fees; permits; regulations; penalties; enforcement"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460k-3"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LXVIII — National Conservation Recreational Areas"
---

# §460k–3. Charges and fees; permits; regulations; penalties; enforcement


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may establish reasonable charges and fees and issue permits for public use of national wildlife refuges, game ranges, national fish hatcheries, and other conservation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) administered by the Department of the Interior for [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) purposes. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may issue regulations to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. A [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of such regulations shall be a misdemeanor with maximum penalties of imprisonment for not more than six months, or a fine of not more than $500, or both. The provisions of this subchapter and any such regulation shall be enforced by any officer or employee of the United States [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) Service designated by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 87–714, § 4, Sept. 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 654; Pub. L. 95–616, § 3(e), Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3111; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 221, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2028.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1984—Pub. L. 98–473 substituted “misdemeanor” for “petty offense (18 U.S.C. 1)”.

1978—Pub. L. 95–616 provided for designation of enforcement personnel.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–473 effective Nov. 1, 1987, and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of such amendment, see section 235(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–473, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3551 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.