---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460n–3"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460n–3"
heading: "Purposes and uses of area"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460n-3"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LXXII — Lake Mead National Recreation Area"
---

# §460n–3. Purposes and uses of area

- (a) **Public recreation, benefit, and use—** Lake Mead National Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall be administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior for general purposes of public recreation, benefit, and use, and in a manner that will [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2), develop, and enhance, so far as practicable, the recreation potential, and in a manner that will [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) the scenic, historic, scientific, and other important features of the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), consistently with applicable reservations and limitations relating to such [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) and with other authorized uses of the lands and properties within such [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (b) **Specific activities—** In carrying out the functions prescribed by this subchapter, in [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to other related activities that may be permitted hereunder, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may provide for the following activities, subject to such limitations, conditions, or regulations as he may prescribe, and to such extent as will not be inconsistent with either the recreational use or the primary use of that portion of the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) heretofore withdrawn for reclamation purposes:
  - (1) General recreation use, such as bathing, boating, camping, and picnicking;
  - (2) Grazing;
  - (3) Mineral leasing;
  - (4) Vacation cabin site use, in accordance with existing policies of the Department of the Interior relating to such use, or as such policies may be revised hereafter by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 88–639, § 4, Oct. 8, 1964, 78 Stat. 1040.)