---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460rrr–2"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460rrr–2"
heading: "Establishment of the Commission"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460rrr-2"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter CXXIX — Rio Grande Natural Area"
---

# §460rrr–2. Establishment of the Commission

- (a) **Establishment—** There is established the Rio Grande [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2) [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1).
- (b) **Purpose—** The [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) advise the [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) with respect to the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2); and
  - (2) prepare a [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) relating to non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) in the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2) under [section 460rrr–4(b)(2)(A) of this title](/usc/16/460rrr–4.md?p=b-2-A).
- (c) **Membership—** The [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall be composed of 9 members appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1), of whom—
  - (1) 1 member shall represent the Colorado [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
  - (2) 1 member shall be the manager of the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, ex officio;
  - (3) 3 members shall be appointed based on the recommendation of the Governor of Colorado, of whom—
    - (A) 1 member shall represent the Colorado Division of Wildlife;
    - (B) 1 member shall represent the Colorado Division of Water Resources; and
    - (C) 1 member shall represent the Rio Grande Water Conservation District; and
  - (4) 4 members shall—
    - (A) represent the general public;
    - (B) be citizens of the local region in which the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2) is established; and
    - (C) have knowledge and experience in the fields of interest relating to the preservation, restoration, and use of the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2).
- (d) **Terms of office—**
  - (1) **In general—** Except for the manager of the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, the term of office of a member of the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall be 5 years.
  - (2) **Reappointment—** A member may be reappointed to the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) on completion of the term of office of the member.
- (e) **Compensation—** A member of the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall serve without compensation for service on the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1).
- (f) **Chairperson—** The [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall elect a chairperson of the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1).
- (g) **Meetings—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chairperson.
  - (2) **Public meetings—** A meeting of the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall be open to the public.
  - (3) **Notice—** Notice of any meeting of the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall be published in advance of the meeting.
- (h) **Technical assistance—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) and the heads of other Federal agencies shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide any information and technical services requested by the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) to assist in carrying out the duties of the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–337, § 4, Oct. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 1777.)