---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460nn–3"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460nn–3"
heading: "Administration"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460nn-3"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter XCIX — Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area"
---

# §460nn–3. Administration

- (a) **Objectives—** Subject to valid existing rights, the Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated by this subchapter shall be administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture in accordance with the findings and purpose of this subchapter and the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the national forests in a manner compatible with the following objectives:
  - (1) the continuation of existing primitive and semiprimitive recreational use in a natural environment;
  - (2) utilization of natural resources shall be permitted only if consistent with the findings and purposes in this subchapter;
  - (3) preservation and protection of forest and aquatic habitat for [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17); and
  - (4) protection and conservation of special [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) having uncommon or outstanding [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13), biological, geological, recreational, cultural, historical or archeological, and scientific, or other values contributing to the public benefit.
- (b) **Mineral leasing laws—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, federally-owned lands within the Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) as designated by this subchapter are hereby withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the mineral leasing laws, including all laws pertaining to geothermal leasing, and all amendments thereto.
- (c) **Hunting, fishing, and trapping—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall permit hunting, fishing, and trapping on lands and waters under the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1)’s jurisdiction within the boundaries of the national recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated by this subchapter in accordance with applicable laws of the United States and the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Vermont.
- (d) **Comprehensive management plan—** Within eighteen months after June 19, 1984, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall develop and submit to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture of the United States House of Representatives and to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the United States Senate a comprehensive [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for the national recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated by this subchapter.
- (e) **Public participation in development of management plan—** In conducting the reviews and preparing the comprehensive [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) required by [subsection (d)](#d), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall provide for full public participation, shall consider the views of all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals, and shall particularly emphasize the values enumerated in [section 460nn(a)(4) of this title](/usc/16/460nn.md?p=a-4).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–322, title II, § 204, June 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 257; Pub. L. 110–1, § 1(b), Jan. 17, 2007, 121 Stat. 3.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

“Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area” substituted in subsecs. (a) and (b) for “White Rocks National Recreation Area” pursuant to section 1(b) of Pub. L. 110–1, set out as a note under section 460nn–1 of this title.

Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives on Jan. 5, 1993, by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Third Congress.