---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 541a"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "541a"
heading: "Administration, protection, development, and regulation of use"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/541a"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Forests"
  - "Subchapter II — Scenic Areas"
---

# §541a. Administration, protection, development, and regulation of use


The administration, protection, development, and regulation of use of the [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) shall be by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1)”) in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to national forests, in such manner as in his judgment will best contribute to attainment of the purpose of this subchapter.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–535, § 2, Dec. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 1732.)