---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 460vv"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "460vv"
heading: "Findings and purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/460vv"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter CVII — Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation and Wilderness Area"
---

# §460vv. Findings and purposes

- (a) **Findings—** The Congress finds that—
  - (1) select [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of undeveloped National Forest System lands in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Oklahoma possess outstanding natural characteristics which give them high values as [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) and will, if properly preserved, contribute as an enduring resource of [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) for the benefit of the American people;
  - (2) the Department of Agriculture’s second roadless [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) review and evaluation (RARE II) and other studies of National Forest System lands in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Oklahoma and the related congressional review of such lands have identified [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) which, on the basis of their landform, ecosystem, associated wildlife, and location, will help to fulfill the National Forest System’s share of a quality [National Wilderness Preservation System](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13);
  - (3) the Department of Agriculture’s second roadless [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) review and evaluation, of National Forest System lands in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Oklahoma and the related congressional review of such lands have also identified [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) which do not possess outstanding [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) attributes or which possess outstanding energy, mineral, timber, grazing, dispersed recreation and other values, and which should not be designated as components of the [National Wilderness Preservation System](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) but should be available for nonwilderness [multiple uses](/usc/16/531.md?p=a) under the land management planning process and other applicable laws;
  - (4) many [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the Ouachita National Forest possess qualities that can only be expressed and utilized in such a manner that designation of such [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) as a national recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) is appropriate for the maximum potential and enjoyment of the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) by the American people;
  - (5) select [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) possess unique plant and tree species and plant communities that are significant in their occurrence, variety and location and warrant designation as botanical [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); and
  - (6) select [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) possess unique scenic and wildlife qualities that designation of such [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) as a national [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) and a national scenic and wildlife [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) is appropriate for the preservation of the natural beauty and wildlife habitat for the enjoyment of the American people.
- (b) **Purposes—** The purposes of this subchapter are to—
  - (1) designate certain National Forest System lands in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Oklahoma as components of the [National Wilderness Preservation System](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13), in order to promote, perpetuate, and [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) character of the lands, protect watersheds and wildlife habitat, [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) scenic and historic resources, and promote scientific research, primitive recreation, solitude, physical and mental challenge, and inspiration for the benefit of all the American people, to a greater extent than is possible in the absence of [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) designation; and to ensure that certain other National Forest System lands in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Oklahoma be available for nonwilderness [multiple uses](/usc/16/531.md?p=a); and
  - (2) designate certain National Forest System lands in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Oklahoma as a national recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), 2 botanical [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), a national [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o), and a national scenic and wildlife [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in order to enhance and further certain natural resources characteristics.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–499, § 2, Oct. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2491.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title

Pub. L. 100–499, § 1, Oct. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2491, provided that: “This Act [enacting this subchapter] may be referred to as the ‘Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation and Wilderness Area Act’.”