---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460rrr–3"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460rrr–3"
heading: "Powers of the Commission"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460rrr-3"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter CXXIX — Rio Grande Natural Area"
---

# §460rrr–3. Powers of the Commission

- (a) **Hearings—** The [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) may hold such hearings, meet and act at such times and places, [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) such testimony, and receive such evidence as the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) considers advisable to carry out this subchapter.
- (b) **Cooperative agreements—**
  - (1) **In general—** For purposes of carrying out the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) on non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) in the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2), the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) may enter into a cooperative agreement with the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Colorado, a political [subdivision](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), or any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b).
  - (2) **Requirements—** A cooperative agreement entered into under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall establish procedures for providing notice to the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) of any action proposed by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Colorado, a political [subdivision](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), or any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) that may affect the implementation of the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) on non-[Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) in the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2).
  - (3) **Effect—** A cooperative agreement entered into under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall not enlarge or diminish any right or duty of a Federal agency under Federal law.
- (c) **Prohibition of acquisition of real property—** The [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) may not [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) any real property or interest in real property.
- (d) **Implementation of management plan—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) shall assist the [Secretary](/usc/16/460iii–1.md?p=1) in implementing the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) by carrying out the activities described in [paragraph (2)](#d-2) to [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) and interpret the natural, historic, cultural, scientific, scenic, wildlife, and recreational resources of the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Authorized activities—** In assisting with the implementation of the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Commission](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=1) may—
    - (A) assist the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Colorado in preserving [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) land and wildlife within the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2);
    - (B) assist the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Colorado and political [subdivisions](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) in increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural, historic, scientific, scenic, wildlife, and recreational resources in the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2);
    - (C) encourage political [subdivisions](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15) of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Colorado to adopt and implement land use policies that are consistent with—
      - (i) the management of the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2); and
      - (ii) the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k); and
    - (D) encourage and assist private landowners in the [Natural Area](/usc/16/460rrr.md?p=2) in the implementation of the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–337, § 5, Oct. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 1778.)