---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 539o"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "539o"
heading: "Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/539o"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Forests"
  - "Subchapter I — Establishment and Administration"
---

# §539o. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

- (a) **Designation—** To conserve and protect the Ancient Bristlecone Pines by maintaining near-natural conditions and to ensure the survival of the Pines for the purposes of public enjoyment and scientific study, the approximately 31,700 acres of public land in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest—Proposed” and dated July 16, 2008, is designated as the “Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest”.
- (b) **Map and legal description—**
  - (1) **In general—** As soon as practicable, but not later than 3 years after March 30, 2009, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall file a [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description of the Forest with—
    - (A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and
    - (B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
  - (2) **Force of law—** The [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description filed under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this subtitle, except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may correct any errors in the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description.
  - (3) **Public availability—** The [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description filed under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service.
- (c) **Management—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall administer the Forest—
    - (A) in a manner that—
      - (i) protect[^1] the resources and values of the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in accordance with the purposes for which the Forest is established, as described in [subsection (a)](#a); and
      - (ii) promotes the objectives of the applicable [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) (as in effect on March 30, 2009), including objectives relating to—
        - (I) the protection of bristlecone pines for public enjoyment and scientific study;
        - (II) the recognition of the botanical, scenic, and historical values of the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); and
        - (III) the maintenance of near-natural conditions by ensuring that all activities are subordinate to the needs of protecting and preserving bristlecone pines and wood remnants; and
    - (B) in accordance with the National Forest Management Act of 1976 ([16 U.S.C. 1600](/usc/16/1600.md) et seq.), this section, and any other applicable laws.
  - (2) **Uses—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall allow only such uses of the Forest as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines would further the purposes for which the Forest is established, as described in [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (B) **Scientific research—** Scientific research shall be allowed in the Forest in accordance with the Inyo National Forest Land and Resource [Management Plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) (as in effect on March 30, 2009).
  - (3) **Withdrawal—** Subject to valid existing rights, all [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) within the Forest is withdrawn from—
    - (A) all forms of entry, appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;
    - (B) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
    - (C) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “protects”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–11, title I, § 1808, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1060.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This subtitle, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is subtitle K (§§ 1801–1808) of title I of Pub. L. 111–11, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1052, which enacted this section and subchapter CXXXIII of chapter 1 of this title, amended section 1274 of this title, enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 460vvv and 1274 of this title, and enacted and amended provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title. For complete classification of subtitle K to the Code, see Tables.

The National Forest Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 94–588, Oct. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 2949, which enacted sections 472a, 521b, 1600, and 1611 to 1614 of this title, amended sections 500, 515, 516, 518, 576b, and 1601 to 1610 of this title, repealed sections 476, 513, and 514 of this title, and enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 476, 513, 528, 594–2, and 1600 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1976 Amendment note set out under section 1600 of this title and Tables.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 1801 of Pub. L. 111–11, set out as a note under section 460vvv of this title.