--- kind: "section" citation: "16 U.S.C. § 539m–5" title: "16" title_heading: "Conservation" number: "539m–5" heading: "Management of the Area" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/539m-5" units: - "Chapter 2 — National Forests" - "Subchapter I — Establishment and Administration" --- # §539m–5. Management of the Area - (a) **Process—** - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall consult with the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) not less than twice each year, unless otherwise mutually agreed, concerning protection, preservation, and management of the [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) (including proposed [new uses](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) and [modified uses](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=7-A) in the [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) and authorizations that are anticipated during the next 6 months and were approved in the preceding 6 months). - (2) **New uses—** - (A) **Request for consent after consultation—** - (i) **Denial of consent—** If the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) denies consent for a [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) within 30 days after completion of the consultation process, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall not proceed with the [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A). - (ii) **Granting of consent—** If the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) consents to the [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) in writing or fails to respond within 30 days after completion of the consultation process, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may proceed with the notice and comment process and the environmental analysis. - (B) **Final request for consent—** - (i) **Request—** Before the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) (or a designee) signs a record of decision or decision notice for a proposed [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall again request the consent of the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10). - (ii) **Denial of consent—** If the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) denies consent for a [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) within 30 days after receipt by the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) of the proposed record of decision or decision notice, the [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) shall not be authorized. - (iii) **Failure to respond—** If the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) fails to respond to the consent request within 30 days after receipt of the proposed record of decision or decision notice— - (I) the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) shall be deemed to have consented to the proposed record of decision or decision notice; and - (II) the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may proceed to issue the final record of decision or decision notice. - (3) **Public involvement—** - (A) **In general—** With respect to a proposed [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) or [modified use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=7-A), the public shall be provided notice of— - (i) the purpose and need for the proposed [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) or [modified use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=7-A); - (ii) the role of the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) in the decisionmaking process; and - (iii) the position of the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) on the proposal. - (B) **Court challenge—** Any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) may bring a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico to challenge a determination by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) concerning whether a use constitutes a [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) or a [modified use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=7-A). - (b) **Emergencies and emergency closure orders—** - (1) **Authority—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall retain the authority of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) to manage emergency situations, to— - (A) provide for public safety; and - (B) issue emergency closure orders in the [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) subject to applicable law. - (2) **Notice—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall notify the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) regarding emergencies, public safety issues, and emergency closure orders as soon as practicable. - (3) **No consent—** An action of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall not require the consent of the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10). - (c) **Disputes involving Forest Service management and Pueblo traditional uses—** - (1) **In general—** In a case in which the management of the [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) conflicts with a [traditional or cultural use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=16), if the conflict does not pertain to a [new use](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=8-A) subject to the process specified in [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2), the process for dispute resolution specified in this subsection shall apply. - (2) **Dispute resolution process—** - (A) **In general—** In the case of a conflict described in [paragraph (1)](#c-1)— - (i) the party identifying the conflict shall notify the other party in writing addressed to the Governor of the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) or the Regional Forester, as appropriate, specifying the nature of the dispute; and - (ii) the Governor of the [Pueblo](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=10) or the Regional Forester shall attempt to resolve the dispute for a period of at least 30 days after notice has been provided before bringing a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. - (B) **Disputes requiring immediate resolution—** In the case of a conflict that requires immediate resolution to avoid imminent, substantial, and irreparable harm— - (i) the party identifying the conflict shall notify the other party and seek to resolve the dispute within 3 days of the date of notification; and - (ii) if the parties are unable to resolve the dispute within 3 days— - (I) either party may bring a civil action for immediate relief in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico; and - (II) the procedural requirements specified in [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A) shall not apply. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 108–7, div. F, title IV, § 407, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 284.)