§544. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area; definitions — Inbound Citations

Citations to 16 U.S.C. § 544 as a whole

• 16 U.S.C. § 544a

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  The purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title are—
• 16 U.S.C. § 544b(f)(2)(B)

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  (B) revision of urban area boundaries would be consistent with the standards established in section 544d of this title and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title;
• 16 U.S.C. § 544c(a)(1)

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  (1) To achieve the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title and to facilitate cooperation among the States of Oregon and Washington, and with the United States of America, the consent of Congress is given for an agreement described in sections 544 to 544p of this title pursuant to which, within one year after November 17, 1986—

  (A) the States of Oregon and Washington shall establish by way of an interstate agreement a regional agency known as the Columbia River Gorge Commission, and shall incorporate sections 544 to 544p of this title by specific reference in such agreement. The Commission shall carry out its functions and responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the interstate agreement and of sections 544 to 544p of this title and shall not be considered an agency or instrumentality of the United States for the purpose of any Federal law;

  (B) the States of Oregon and Washington shall provide to the Commission, State agencies, and the counties under State law the authority to carry out their respective functions and responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection; and

  (C) the States of Oregon and Washington shall appoint members of the Commission as provided in clauses (i) through (iii), subject to applicable State law: Provided, That the Governor of either State may extend the time for appointment of Commission members ninety days to provide more time for the States and counties to make such appointments. Membership of the Commission shall be as follows:

  (i) six members, comprised of one resident from each of the following counties: Hood River, Multnomah, and Wasco Counties, Oregon, and Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties, Washington, to be appointed by the governing body of each of the respective counties: Provided, That in the event the governing body of a county fails to make such appointment, the Governor of the State in which the county is located shall appoint such member;

  (ii) three members who reside in the State of Oregon, at least one of whom shall be a resident of the scenic area, to be appointed by the Governor of Oregon;

  (iii) three members who reside in the State of Washington, at least one of whom shall be a resident of the scenic area, to be appointed by the Governor of Washington; and

  (iv) one ex officio, nonvoting member who shall be an employee of the Forest Service, to be appointed by the Secretary.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544c(a)(1)(A)

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  (A) the States of Oregon and Washington shall establish by way of an interstate agreement a regional agency known as the Columbia River Gorge Commission, and shall incorporate sections 544 to 544p of this title by specific reference in such agreement. The Commission shall carry out its functions and responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the interstate agreement and of sections 544 to 544p of this title and shall not be considered an agency or instrumentality of the United States for the purpose of any Federal law;
• 16 U.S.C. § 544c(a)(5)

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  (5) Except for the ex-officio member appointed pursuant to paragraph (1)(C)(iv), the members and officers and employees of the Commission shall not be officers or employees of the United States for any purpose. The Commission shall appoint, fix compensation for, and assign and delegate duties to such officers and employees as the Commission deems necessary to fulfill its functions under sections 544 to 544p of this title. The compensation of Commission members shall be fixed by State law. The compensation of Commission members, officers, and employees and the expenses of the Commission shall be paid from funds provided to the Commission by the States.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544c(b)

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  (b) For the purposes of providing a uniform system of laws, which, in addition to sections 544 to 544p of this title, are applicable to the Commission, the Commission shall adopt regulations relating to administrative procedure, the making of contracts, conflicts-of-interest, financial disclosure, open meetings of the Commission, advisory committees, and disclosure of information consistent with the more restrictive statutory provisions of either State. Regulations applicable to financial disclosure under this subsection shall be applied to members of the Commission without regard to the duration of their service on the Commission or the amount of compensation received for such service. No contract, obligation, or other action of the Commission shall be an obligation of the United States or an obligation secured by the full faith and credit of the United States.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544c(c)

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  (c) Upon the request of the Commission, the Secretary and other Federal agencies are authorized to provide information, personnel, property, and services on a reimbursable basis, and the Secretary is authorized to provide technical assistance on a nonreimbursable basis, to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its functions and responsibilities pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544c(d)

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  (d) The Commission shall establish voluntary technical and citizen advisory committees to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions and responsibilities pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544d(a)(2)

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  (2) The Commission shall complete a study to identify opportunities to enhance the economies of communities in the scenic area in a manner consistent with the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544d(d)

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  (d) The management plan and all land use ordinances and interim guidelines adopted pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title shall include provisions to—

  (1) protect and enhance agricultural lands for agricultural uses and to allow, but not require, conversion of agricultural lands to open space, recreation development or forest lands;

  (2) protect and enhance forest lands for forest uses and to allow, but not require, conversion of forest lands to agricultural lands, recreation development or open spaces;

  (3) protect and enhance open spaces;

  (4) protect and enhance public and private recreation resources and educational and interpretive facilities and opportunities, in accordance with the recreation assessment adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section;

  (5) prohibit major development actions in special management areas, except for partitions or short plats which the Secretary determines are desirable to facilitate land acquisitions pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title;

  (6) prohibit industrial development in the scenic area outside urban areas;

  (7) require that commercial development outside urban areas take place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation, or natural resources of the scenic area;

  (8) require that residential development outside urban areas take place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation, and natural resources of the scenic area; and

  (9) require that the exploration, development and production of mineral resources, and the reclamation of lands thereafter, take place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation and natural resources of the scenic area.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544d(d)(5)

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  (5) prohibit major development actions in special management areas, except for partitions or short plats which the Secretary determines are desirable to facilitate land acquisitions pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title;
• 16 U.S.C. § 544d(e)

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  (e) The Secretary and the Commission shall exercise their responsibilities pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title in consultation with Federal, State, and local governments having jurisdiction within the scenic area or expertise pertaining to its administration and with Indian tribes. The Secretary and the Commission shall conduct public hearings and solicit public comment prior to final adoption of the management plan and the Commission shall conduct public hearings and solicit public comment prior to final adoption of land use ordinances. The Commission and the appropriate county shall promptly notify the Secretary, the States, local governments and Indian tribes of all proposed major development actions and residential development in the scenic area.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544d(f)(1)

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  (1) Upon adoption of the management plan, the Commission shall promptly submit the plan to the Secretary for review. If the Secretary agrees with the Commission that the management plan is consistent with the standards established in this section and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title, the Secretary shall concur to that effect. Should the Secretary fail to act on the proposed plan within ninety days, the Secretary shall be deemed to have concurred on the management plan.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544d(f)(2)

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  (2) If concurrence is denied, the Secretary shall state the reasons for finding the plan is inconsistent with the standards established in this section or the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title, and shall submit to the Commission suggested modifications to the management plan to make it consistent with such standards and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544d(f)(3)(B)

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  (B) by a vote of two-thirds of its membership, including a majority of the members appointed from each State, reject the suggested modifications of the Secretary and adopt a management plan consistent with the provisions of this section and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544e(a)

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  (a) The non-Federal lands within the scenic area shall be administered by the Commission in accordance with the management plan and sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544f(a)(1)

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  (1) ¹ The Secretary shall administer Federal lands within the special management areas in accordance with sections 544 to 544p of this title and other laws, rules and regulations applicable to the national forest system. In addition, the construction of roads and the management, utilization and harvest of timber on Federal lands within the special management areas also shall be subject to Forest Service visual resource management guidelines. The Secretary shall utilize lands acquired through exchange in calculating the allowable sales quantity on the Gifford Pinchot and Mount Hood National Forests.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544f(f)(1)

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  (1) ¹ Within three years after November 17, 1986, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Commission, develop guidelines to assure that non-Federal lands within the special management areas are managed consistent with the standards in section 544d of this title and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title. The Secretary shall promptly transmit the guidelines to the Commission for inclusion in the management plan. The guidelines shall require that management, utilization, and disposal of timber, and exploration, development, and production of sand, gravel, and crushed rock for the construction, maintenance, or reconstruction of roads used to manage or harvest forest products on non-Federal lands within the special management areas take place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation, and natural resources of the scenic area.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544f(j)(2)

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  (2) If concurrence is denied, the Secretary shall state the reasons therefor and shall submit to the Commission suggested modifications to the land use ordinances to make them consistent with the management plan and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544f(l)(5)(B)

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  (B) by a vote of two-thirds of its membership, including a majority of the members appointed from each State, reject the suggested modifications of the Secretary and adopt a land use ordinance consistent with the provisions of this section and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544g(a)(1)

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  (1) The Secretary is authorized to acquire any lands or interests therein within the special management areas and the Dodson/Warrendale Special Purchase Unit which the Secretary determines are needed to achieve the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title: Provided, That any lands, waters, or interests therein owned by either State or any political subdivision thereof may be acquired only by donation or exchange.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544g(a)(2)

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  (2) Lands within the State of Oregon acquired by the Secretary pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title shall become part of the Mount Hood National Forest. Lands within the State of Washington acquired by the Secretary pursuant to this section shall become part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. All lands acquired by the Secretary pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title shall be subject to the laws and regulations pertaining to the National Forest System and sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544g(b)(1)(A)

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  (A) acquire only such land or interests therein as is reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title; and
• 16 U.S.C. § 544g(e)(3)(A)(i)

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  (i) without regard to the effect of any zoning or land use restriction made in response to sections 544 to 544p of this title; but
• 16 U.S.C. § 544g(e)(3)(B)(i)

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  (i) any zoning or land use restriction made in response to sections 544 to 544p of this title; and
• 16 U.S.C. § 544h(a)(1)

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  (1) ¹ Within one hundred eighty days after November 17, 1986, the Secretary shall develop interim guidelines for the scenic area outside urban areas to identify land use activities which are inconsistent with sections 544 to 544p of this title and to govern the authority to acquire land without the consent of the owner provided by subsection (b) of this section. The Secretary shall promptly notify the public of adoption of the interim guidelines and transmit the guidelines to each county. Guidelines adopted by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection shall remain in effect for each county until the Secretary has developed guidelines for the special management areas pursuant to section 544f of this title and the land use ordinances prescribed by section 544e of this title are in effect.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544h(c)

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  (c) Prior to the effective date of a land use ordinance for each county pursuant to section 544e of this title, and concurrence of the Secretary on a land use ordinance for each county pursuant to section 544f of this title, the Commission shall review all proposals for major development actions and new residential development in such county in the scenic area, except urban areas. The Commission shall allow major development actions and new residential development only if it determines that such development is consistent with the standards contained in section 544d of this title and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544i(a)

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  (a) Based on the Economic Opportunity Study and other appropriate information, each State, in consultation with the counties and the Commission, shall develop a plan for economic development projects for which grants under this section may be used in a manner consistent with sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544i(b)

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  (b) Upon certification of the management plan, and receipt of a plan referred to in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall provide $5,000,000 to each State which each State shall use to make grants and loans for economic development projects that further the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544i(c)(1)

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  (1) all activities undertaken under the grant are certified by the Commission as being consistent with the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title, the management plan, and land use ordinances adopted pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title;
• 16 U.S.C. § 544l(b)(1)(A)

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  (A) not less than 50 per centum shall be expended for the benefit of the public schools of the county which has adopted implementation measures pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title; and
• 16 U.S.C. § 544l(b)(1)(B)

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  (B) the remainder shall be expended for the benefit of public roads or any public purposes of any county which has adopted implementation measures pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544l(d)

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  (d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) or in section 544o of this title, Federal agencies having responsibilities within the scenic area shall exercise such responsibilities consistent with the provisions of sections 544 to 544p of this title as determined by the Secretary.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544l(e)(1)

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  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the Commission has not been established pursuant to section 544c of this title within fifteen months after November 17, 1986, or is otherwise disestablished for any reason, no new expenditures or new financial assistance may be made available, and no new license or new permit, or exemption from a license or permit requirement, shall be issued, under authority of any Federal law for any activity within the scenic area, excluding urban areas, which the Secretary,¹ determines is inconsistent with any implementation measure pursuant to, the standards established in section 544d(b) of this title, or the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544l(e)(3)(D)

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  (D) Any of the following actions or projects, but only if the making available of expenditures or assistance therefor is consistent with the standards in section 544d(b) of this title and the purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title:

  (i) Projects for the study, management, protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources and habitats, including, but not limited to, acquisition of fish and wildlife habitats and related lands, stabilization projects for fish and wildlife habitats, and recreational projects.

  (ii) The establishment, operation, and maintenance of air and water navigation aids and devices, and for access thereto.

  (iii) Projects under chapter 2003 of title 54 and the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).

  (iv) Scientific research, including but not limited to aeronautical, atmospheric, space, geologic, marine, fish and wildlife, and other research, development, and applications.

  (v) Assistance for emergency actions essential to the saving of lives and the protection of property and the public health and safety, if such actions are performed pursuant to sections 305 and 306 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5145) and 5146)² and section 1362 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4103)² and are limited to actions that are necessary to alleviate the emergency.

  (vi) The maintenance, replacement, reconstruction, or repair, but not the expansion, of publicly owned or publicly operated roads, structures, or facilities. This clause shall not apply to roads, structures, or facilities referred to in paragraph (3)(B).

  (vii) Nonstructural projects for shoreline stabilization that are designed to mimic, enhance, or restore natural stabilization systems.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544l(f)

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  (f) Subject to valid existing rights, all public lands within the scenic area administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management are hereby transferred without consideration to the jurisdiction of the Secretary to be managed as National Forest lands in accordance with the provisions of sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(a)(1)

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  (1) The Commission shall monitor activities of counties pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title and shall take such actions as it determines are necessary to ensure compliance.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(a)(2)

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  (2) Any person or entity adversely affected by any final action or order of a county relating to the implementation of sections 544 to 544p of this title may appeal such action or order to the Commission by filing with the Commission within thirty days of such action or order, a written petition requesting that such action or order be modified, terminated, or set aside.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(a)(3)

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  (3) Any person or entity who willfully violates the management plan or any land use ordinance or any implementation measure or any order issued by the Commission pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title may be assessed a civil penalty by the Commission not to exceed $10,000 for each violation. No penalty may be assessed under this subsection unless such person or entity is given notice and opportunity for a public hearing with respect to such violation. The Commission may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any penalty imposed under this subsection, taking into consideration the nature and seriousness of the violation and the efforts of the violator to remedy the violation in a timely manner.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(1)(A)

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  (A) Except as otherwise limited by sections 544 to 544p of this title, the Attorney General of the United States may, at the request of the Secretary, institute a civil action for an injunction or other appropriate order to prevent any person or entity from utilizing lands within the special management areas in violation of the provisions of sections 544 to 544p of this title, interim guideline adopted or other action taken by the Secretary pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(1)(B)

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  (B) The Commission, or, at the request of the Commission, or the attorney general of Oregon or Washington, may institute a civil action for an injunction or other appropriate order to prevent any person or entity from utilizing lands within the scenic area outside urban areas in violation of the provisions of sections 544 to 544p of this title, the management plan, or any land use ordinance or interim guideline adopted or other action taken by the Commission or any county pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(2)

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  (2) Any person or entity adversely affected may commence a civil action to compel compliance with sections 544 to 544p of this title—

  (A) against the Secretary, the Commission or any county where there is alleged a violation of the provisions of sections 544 to 544p of this title, the management plan or any land use ordinance or interim guideline adopted or other action taken by the Secretary, the Commission, or any county pursuant to or Commission¹ under sections 544 to 544p of this title; or

  (B) against the Secretary, the Commission, or any county where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary, the Commission or any county to perform any act or duty under sections 544 to 544p of this title which is not discretionary with the Secretary, the Commission or any county.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(2)(A)

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  (A) against the Secretary, the Commission or any county where there is alleged a violation of the provisions of sections 544 to 544p of this title, the management plan or any land use ordinance or interim guideline adopted or other action taken by the Secretary, the Commission, or any county pursuant to or Commission¹ under sections 544 to 544p of this title; or
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(2)(B)

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  (B) against the Secretary, the Commission, or any county where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary, the Commission or any county to perform any act or duty under sections 544 to 544p of this title which is not discretionary with the Secretary, the Commission or any county.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(3)(A)(ii)

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  (ii) if the Attorney General of the United States, or the attorney general of Oregon or Washington, has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil action on the same matter pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection to require compliance with the management plan or any regulations, guidelines, or standards issued or other actions taken by the Secretary, the Commission, or any county pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title: Provided, That in any such action any person or entity otherwise entitled to bring an action pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection may intervene as a matter of right; or
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(3)(A)(iii)

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  (iii) which challenges the consistency of the draft management plan with the purposes and standards of sections 544 to 544p of this title or with other applicable law prior to the certification or adoption of the Management Plan pursuant to section 544d of this title; or
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(3)(B)

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  (B) under paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection prior to sixty days after the plaintiff has given notice in writing of such action to the Secretary, the Commission, and to the county in which the failure to perform any act or duty pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title is alleged: Provided, That such action may be brought immediately after such notification where the violation or order complained of constitutes an imminent threat to the health or safety of the plaintiff or would immediately affect a legal interest of the plaintiff.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(4)(A)

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  (A) any final action or order of a county, the Commission, or the Secretary relating to the implementation of sections 544 to 544p of this title;
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(4)(B)

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  (B) any land use ordinance or interim guideline adopted pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title;
• 16 U.S.C. § 544m(b)(5)(A)

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  (A) any criminal penalty imposed pursuant to section 551 of this title, or any other applicable law for violation of any order, regulation or other action taken by the Secretary pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title;
• 16 U.S.C. § 544n(a)(1)

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  (1) For the purpose of acquisition of lands, water and interests therein pursuant to sections 544 to 544p of this title: $40,000,000: Provided, That of this amount no more than $10,000,000 shall be available to acquire lands, water, and interests therein pursuant to section 544h of this title. Such amounts are authorized to be appropriated from amounts covered into the Land and Water Conservation Fund notwithstanding any allocation, apportionment, or limitation contained in chapter 2003 of title 54.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544o(a)

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  (a) Nothing in sections 544 to 544p of this title shall—

  (1) affect or modify any treaty or other rights of any Indian tribe;

  (2) except as provided in section 13(c),¹ authorize the appropriation or use of water by any Federal, State, or local agency, Indian tribe, or any other entity or individual;

  (3) except as provided in section 13(c),¹ affect the rights or jurisdictions of the United States, the States, Indian tribes or other entities over waters of any river or stream or over any ground water resource or affect or interfere with transportation activities on any such river or stream;

  (4) except as provided in section 13(c),¹ alter, establish, or affect the respective rights of the United States, the States, Indian tribes, or any person with respect to any water or water-related right;

  (5) alter, amend, repeal, interpret, modify, or be in conflict with any interstate compact made by the States before November 17, 1986;

  (6) affect or modify the ability of the Bonneville Power Administration to operate, maintain, and modify existing transmission facilities;

  (7) affect lands held in trust by the Secretary of the Interior for Indian tribes or individual members of Indian tribes or other lands acquired by the Army Corps of Engineers and administered by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of Indian tribes and individual members of Indian tribes;

  (8) affect the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to hunting and fishing under existing State and Federal laws and Indian treaties;

  (9) require any revision or amendment of any forest plan adopted pursuant to the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (Act of October 22, 1976, Public Law 94–588, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.)); or

  (10) establish protective perimeters or buffer zones around the scenic area or each special management area. The fact that activities or uses inconsistent with the management directives for the scenic area or special management areas can be seen or heard from these areas shall not, of itself, preclude such activities or uses up to the boundaries of the scenic area or special management areas.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544o(b)

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  (b) Except for the offsite disposal of excavation material, nothing in sections 544 to 544p of this title shall be construed to affect or modify the responsibility of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to improve navigation facilities at Bonneville Dam pursuant to Federal law.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544o(c)

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  (c) Except for the management, utilization, or disposal of timber resources of non-Federal lands within the special management areas, nothing in sections 544 to 544p of this title shall affect the rights and responsibilities of non-Federal timber land owners under the Oregon and Washington Forest Practices Acts or any county regulations which under applicable State law supersede such Acts.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544o(d)

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  (d) Mandatory language in sections 544 to 544p of this title respecting the powers and responsibilities of the Commission shall be interpreted as conditions precedent to congressional consent to the interstate compact described in section 544c of this title.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544o(f)(2)

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  (2) Except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, nothing in sections 544 to 544p of this title shall expand, restrict, or otherwise alter the duties of the Secretary under the National Environmental Policy Act.
• 16 U.S.C. § 544p(a)

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  (a) ¹ If any provision of sections 544 to 544p of this title or the application thereof to any person, State, Indian tribe, entity, or circumstance is held invalid, neither the remainder of sections 544 to 544p of this title, nor the application of any provisions herein to other persons, States, Indian tribes, entities, or circumstances, shall be affected thereby.