---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 539r"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "539r"
heading: "Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management Area and wilderness additions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/539r"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Forests"
  - "Subchapter I — Establishment and Administration"
---

# §539r. Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management Area and wilderness additions

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Conservation Management Area—** The term “Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” means the Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) established by [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A).
  - (2) **Decommission—** The term “decommission” means—
    - (A) to reestablish vegetation on a road; and
    - (B) to restore any natural drainage, watershed function, or other ecological processes that are disrupted or adversely impacted by the road by removing or hydrologically disconnecting the road prism.
  - (3) **District—** The term “district” means the Rocky Mountain Ranger District of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
  - (4) **Map—** The term “[map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1)” means the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act” and dated October 27, 2011.
  - (5) **Nonmotorized recreation trail—** The term “nonmotorized recreation trail” means a trail designed for hiking, bicycling, or equestrian use.
  - (6) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1)” means—
    - (A) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture; and
    - (B) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.
  - (7) **State—** The term “[State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)” means the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Montana.
- (b) **Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management Area—**
  - (1) **Establishment—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a).
    - (B) **Area included—** The Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall consist of approximately 195,073 acres of [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) managed by the Forest Service and 13,087 acres of [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1).
    - (C) **Incorporation of acquired land and interests—** Any land or interest in land that is located in the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) and is acquired by the United States from a willing seller shall—
      - (i) become part of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); and
      - (ii) be managed in accordance with—
        - (I) in the case of land managed by the Forest Service—
          - (aa) the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly known as the “Weeks Law”) ([16 U.S.C. 552](/usc/16/552.md) et seq.); and
          - (bb) any laws (including regulations) applicable to the National Forest System;
        - (II) in the case of land managed, by the Bureau of Land Management, the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1701](/usc/43/1701.md) et seq.);
        - (III) this subsection; and
        - (IV) any other applicable law (including regulations).
  - (2) **Purposes—** The purposes of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) are to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the recreational, scenic, historical, cultural, fish, wildlife, roadless, and ecological values of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
  - (3) **Management—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall manage the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)—
      - (i) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); and
      - (ii) in accordance with—
        - (I) the laws (including regulations) and rules applicable to the National Forest System for land managed by the Forest Service;
        - (II) the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1701](/usc/43/1701.md) et seq.) for land managed by the Bureau of Land Management;
        - (III) this subsection; and
        - (IV) any other applicable law (including regulations).
    - (B) **Uses—**
      - (i) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall only allow such uses of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines would further the purposes described in [paragraph (2)](#b-2).
      - (ii) **Motorized vehicles—**
        - (I) **In general—** The use of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall be permitted only on existing roads, trails, and [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated for use by such vehicles as of December 19, 2014.
        - (II) **New or temporary roads—** Except as provided in [subclause (III)](#b-3-B-ii-III), no new or temporary roads shall be constructed within the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
        - (III) **Exceptions—** Nothing in subclause [(I)](#b-3-B-ii-I) or [(II)](#b-3-B-ii-II) prevents the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) from—
          - (aa) rerouting or closing an existing road or trail to protect natural resources from degradation, as determined to be appropriate by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1);
          - (bb) constructing a temporary road on which motorized vehicles are permitted as part of a vegetation management [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in any portion of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) located not more than ¼ mile from the Teton Road, South Teton Road, Sun River Road, Beaver Willow Road, or Benchmark Road;
          - (cc) authorizing the use of motorized vehicles for administrative purposes (including noxious weed eradication or grazing management); or
          - (dd) responding to an emergency.
        - (IV) **Decommissioning of temporary roads—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall decommission any temporary road constructed under [subclause (III)(bb)](#b-3-B-ii-III-bb) not later than 3 years after the date on which the applicable vegetation management [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) is completed.
      - (iii) **Grazing—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall permit grazing within the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), if established on December 19, 2014—
        - (I) subject to—
          - (aa) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines appropriate; and
          - (bb) all applicable laws; and
        - (II) in a manner consistent with—
          - (aa) the purposes described in [paragraph (2)](#b-2); and
          - (bb) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617).
      - (iv) **Vegetation management—** Nothing in this section prevents the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) from conducting vegetation management [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) within the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)—
        - (I) subject to—
          - (aa) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines appropriate; and
          - (bb) all applicable laws (including regulations); and
        - (II) in a manner consistent with the purposes described in [paragraph (2)](#b-2).
  - (4) **Adjacent management—**
    - (A) **In general—** The designation of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall not create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
    - (B) **Effect—** The fact that activities or uses can be seen or heard from [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) within the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall not preclude the conduct of the activities or uses outside the boundary of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (c) **Designation of wilderness additions—**
  - (1) **In general—** In accordance with the Wilderness Act ([16 U.S.C. 1131](/usc/16/1131.md) et seq.), the following [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) is designated as [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) and as [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to existing components of the [National Wilderness Preservation System](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13):
    - (A) **Bob Marshall Wilderness—** Certain land in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, comprising approximately 50,401 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1), which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall [Wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) designated under section 3 of the Wilderness Act ([16 U.S.C. 1132](/usc/16/1132.md)).
    - (B) **Scapegoat Wilderness—** Certain land in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, comprising approximately 16,711 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1), which shall be added to and administered as part of the Scapegoat [Wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) designated by the first section of Public Law 92–395 ([16 U.S.C. 1132](/usc/16/1132.md) note).
  - (2) **Management of wilderness additions—** Subject to valid existing rights, the land designated as [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) by [paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall be administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) in accordance with the Wilderness Act ([16 U.S.C. 1131](/usc/16/1131.md) et seq.), except that any reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be deemed to be a reference to December 19, 2014.
  - (3) **Livestock—** The grazing of livestock and the maintenance of existing facilities relating to grazing in the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) designated by this subsection, if established before December 19, 2014, shall be permitted to continue in accordance with—
    - (A) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act ([16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)](/usc/16/1133.md?p=d-4)); and
    - (B) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617).
  - (4) **Wildfire, insect, and disease management—** In accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act ([16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)](/usc/16/1133.md?p=d-1)), within the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) designated by this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) any measures that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines to be necessary to control fire, insects, and diseases, including, as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines appropriate, the coordination of those activities with a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or local agency.
  - (5) **Adjacent management—**
    - (A) **In general—** The designation of a [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) by this subsection shall not create any protective perimeter or buffer zone around the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
    - (B) **Nonwilderness activities—** The fact that nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) within a [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) designated by this subsection shall not preclude the conduct of those activities or uses outside the boundary of the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (d) **Maps and legal descriptions—**
  - (1) **In general—** As soon as practicable after December 19, 2014, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall prepare [maps](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal descriptions of the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) and the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) designated by subsections [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c), respectively.
  - (2) **Force of law—** The [maps](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal descriptions prepared under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this section, except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may correct typographical errors in the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal descriptions.
  - (3) **Public availability—** The [maps](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal descriptions prepared under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
- (e) **Noxious weed management—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 1 year after December 19, 2014, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture shall prepare a comprehensive management strategy for preventing, controlling, and eradicating noxious weeds in the district.
  - (2) **Contents—** The management strategy shall—
    - (A) include recommendations to protect wildlife, forage, and other natural resources in the district from noxious weeds;
    - (B) identify opportunities to coordinate noxious weed prevention, control, and eradication efforts in the district with [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) and local agencies, [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), nonprofit organizations, and others;
    - (C) identify existing resources for preventing, controlling, and eradicating noxious weeds in the district;
    - (D) identify additional resources that are appropriate to effectively prevent, control, or eradicate noxious weeds in the district; and
    - (E) identify opportunities to coordinate with county weed districts in Glacier, Pondera, Teton, and Lewis and Clark [Counties](/usc/16/544.md?p=d) in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) to apply for grants and enter into agreements for noxious weed control and eradication [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) under the Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004 ([7 U.S.C. 7781](/usc/7/7781.md) et seq.).
  - (3) **Consultation—** In developing the management strategy required under [paragraph (1)](#e-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall consult with—
    - (A) the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior;
    - (B) appropriate [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), tribal, and local governmental entities; and
    - (C) members of the public.
- (f) **Nonmotorized recreation opportunities—** Not later than 2 years after December 19, 2014, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture, in consultation with interested parties, shall conduct a study to improve nonmotorized recreation trail opportunities (including mountain bicycling) on land not designated as [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) within the district.
- (g) **Management of fish and wildlife; hunting and fishing—** Nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) with respect to [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) management (including the regulation of hunting and fishing) on public land in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a).
- (h) **Overflights—**
  - (1) **Jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration—** Nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to the airspace above the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) or the Conservation Management [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
  - (2) **Benchmark airstrip—** Nothing in this section affects the continued use, maintenance, and repair of the Benchmark (3U7) airstrip.
- (i) **Release of wilderness study areas—**
  - (1) **Finding—** Congress finds that, for the purposes of [section 603(c)](/usc/16/603.md) of the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1782(c)](/usc/43/1782.md?p=c)), the Zook Creek and Buffalo Creek [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) study [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) have been adequately studied for [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) designation.
  - (2) **Release—** The Zook Creek and Buffalo Creek [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) study [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)—
    - (A) are no longer subject to—
      - (i) [section 603(c)](/usc/16/603.md) of the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1782(c)](/usc/43/1782.md?p=c)); or
      - (ii) Secretarial Order 3310 issued on December 22, 2010; and
    - (B) shall be managed in accordance with the applicable land use plans adopted under [section 202](/usc/16/202.md) of the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1712](/usc/43/1712.md)).
- (j) **Assessment update—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 5 years after December 19, 2014, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall review and update the assessment for oil and gas potential for the following [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) study [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a):
    - (A) Bridge Coulee.
    - (B) Musselshell Breaks.
  - (2) **Report—** Not later than 30 days after the date on which the review is completed under [paragraph (1)](#j-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes the oil and gas potential for the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) study [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 113–291, div. B, title XXX, § 3065, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3833.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Act of March 1, 1911, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii)(I)(aa), is act Mar. 1, 1911, ch. 186, 36 Stat. 961, popularly known as the Weeks Law, which enacted former sections 513 and 514 and sections 515 to 519, 521, 552, and 563 of this title and amended sections 480 and 500 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 552 of this title and Tables.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii)(II), (3)(A)(ii)(II), is Pub. L. 94–579, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2743, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of Title 43 and Tables.

The Wilderness Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (2), is Pub. L. 88–577, Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 890, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§ 1131 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1131 of this title and Tables.

The first section of Public Law 92–395, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), enacted provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title.

The Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(E), is subtitle E (§§451–457) of title IV of Pub. L. 106–224, as added by Pub. L. 108–412, §1, Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2320, which is classified generally to subchapter V (§ 7781 et seq.) of chapter 104 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of Title 7 and Tables.