---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460mm–4"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460mm–4"
heading: "Administration of recreation area"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460mm-4"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter XCVIII — Steese National Conservation Area and White Mountains National Recreation Area"
---

# §460mm–4. Administration of recreation area

- (a) **Recreation, conservation, and resource development—** The White Mountains National Recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) established by this Act shall be administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) in order to provide for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment and for the conservation of the scenic, scientific, historic, [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17), and other values contributing to public enjoyment of such [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A). Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall administer the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in a manner which in his judgment will best provide for (1) public outdoor recreation benefits; (2) conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17), and other values contributing to public enjoyment; and (3) such management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources and the continuation of such [existing uses](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=3) and developments as will promote, or are compatible with, or do not significantly impair public recreation and conservation of the scenic, scientific, historic, [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17), or other values contributing to public enjoyment. In administering the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may utilize such statutory authorities available to him for the conservation and management of natural resources as he deems appropriate for recreation and preservation purposes and for resource development compatible therewith.
- (b) **Withdrawal of lands from selection and mining; exceptions—** The lands within the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), subject to valid existing rights, are hereby withdrawn from [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) selection under the [Alaska Statehood Act](/usc/16/3102.md?p=14) or other law, and from location, entry, and patent under the United States mining laws. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) under such reasonable regulations as he deems appropriate, may permit the removal of the nonleasable minerals from lands or interests in lands within the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the manner described by [section 387 of title 43](/usc/43/387.md), and he may permit the removal of leasable minerals from lands or interests in lands within the recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in accordance with the mineral leasing laws, if he finds that such disposition would not have significant adverse effects on the administration of the recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (c) **Disposal of receipts—** All receipts derived from permits and leases issued on lands or interest in lands within the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) under the mineral leasing laws shall be disposed of as provided in such laws; and receipts from the disposition of nonleasable minerals within the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall be disposed of in the same manner as moneys received from the sale of [public lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=7).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–487, title XIII, § 1312, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2483.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (a), 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.

The Alaska Statehood Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, which is set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

### Codification

Section was not enacted as part of title IV of Pub. L. 96–487, which comprises this subchapter.