---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 544f"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "544f"
heading: "Administration of special management areas"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/544f"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Forests"
  - "Subchapter II — Scenic Areas"
---

# §544f. Administration of special management areas

- (a) **Administration of Federal lands—**
  - (1) [^1] The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall administer [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) within the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) in accordance with sections [544](/usc/16/544.md) to [544p](/usc/16/544p.md) of this title and other laws, rules and regulations applicable to the national forest system. In [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2), the construction of roads and the management, utilization and harvest of timber on [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) within the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) also shall be subject to Forest Service visual resource management guidelines. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall utilize lands acquired through exchange in calculating the allowable sales quantity on the Gifford Pinchot and Mount Hood National Forests.
- (b) **Withdrawal of Federal lands—** Subject to valid existing rights, all [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) located in the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) are hereby withdrawn from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws of the United States, and from disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing: Provided, That the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may allow the exploration, development, or production of sand, gravel, and crushed rock as necessary to construct, maintain, or reconstruct roads in the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q).
- (c) **Resource inventory—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall complete a resource inventory for the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) consistent with the process and substance of the inventory prescribed by [section 544d(a)(1) of this title](/usc/16/544d.md?p=a-1).
- (d) **Recreation assessment—** Within two years after November 17, 1986, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall complete an assessment of recreation resources in the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) and opportunities for enhancement of these resources. The [recreation assessment](/usc/16/544.md?p=m) shall—
  - (1) identify [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) within the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) suitable for designation by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) pursuant to [section 544d of this title](/usc/16/544d.md) for the construction of an interpretive center or other appropriate facility, to be located in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Oregon, and of a conference center or other appropriate facility, to be located in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Washington;
  - (2) identify [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) within the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) suitable for other public use facilities, including but not limited to educational and interpretive facilities, campsites, picnic [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), boat launch facilities, and river access [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); and
  - (3) subject to the treaty or other rights of [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), identify [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) with the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) suitable for use to increase access for recreation purposes to the Columbia River and its tributaries.
- (e) **Land use designations—** Within three years after November 17, 1986, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall develop land use designations for the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q). The land use designations shall be—
  - (1) based on the resource inventory prepared by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) pursuant to this section; and
  - (2) consistent with the standards established in [section 544d of this title](/usc/16/544d.md).
- (f) **Guidelines for land use ordinances—**
  - (1) [^1] Within three years after November 17, 1986, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall, in consultation with the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), develop guidelines to assure that non-[Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) within the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) are managed consistent with the standards in [section 544d of this title](/usc/16/544d.md) and the purposes of sections [544](/usc/16/544.md) to [544p](/usc/16/544p.md) of this title. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall promptly transmit the guidelines to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) for inclusion in the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k). 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](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) within the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation, and natural resources of the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o).
- (h) **2 Adoption of special management area land use ordinances—**
  - (1) Within sixty days of receipt of the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), each county shall submit to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) a letter stating that it proposes to adopt a land use ordinance consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k). If any county fails to submit a letter as provided in this subsection, or fails to adopt a land use ordinance as provided in this section, the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall carry out the requirements of [subsection (l)](#l) of this section.
  - (2) Within two hundred seventy days of receipt of the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), each county shall adopt a special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) land use ordinance consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), and thereafter may adopt an amendment, revision or variance to a land use ordinance at any time. Each county upon adoption of a special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) land use ordinance shall promptly submit the adopted ordinance to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c).
- (i) **Review by Commission—**
  - (1) The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall review the special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) land use ordinance received from each county, and within ninety days after receipt shall make a tentative determination as to whether the ordinance is consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k). If the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) makes a tentative determination that the land use ordinance is consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall send the ordinance to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) for concurrence.
  - (2) If the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) makes a tentative determination that the land use ordinance is inconsistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) the reasons for the determination and shall return the ordinance to the appropriate county with suggested modifications required for consistency with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k).
  - (3) Each county shall have ninety days after it is notified by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) to make modifications designed to eliminate the inconsistencies and to resubmit the ordinance to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) for tentative determination of consistency. The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall have sixty days to make a tentative consistency determination on the resubmitted ordinance. If found consistent, the land use ordinance shall be transmitted by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) for concurrence that the ordinance is consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k). If the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) finds the resubmitted ordinance inconsistent, the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall adopt an ordinance pursuant to [subsection (l)](#l) of this section.
- (j) **Concurrence by Secretary—**
  - (1) Upon receipt of a special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) land use ordinance from the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall notify the public of such receipt and shall, within ninety days thereafter, concur with the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c)’s tentative determination of consistency with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) unless the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines the ordinance is inconsistent. Any ordinance submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall become effective upon notification of concurrence. Should the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) fail to act within ninety days, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall be deemed to have concurred with the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c)’s tentative consistency determination.
  - (2) **Denial of Concurrence.—** If concurrence is denied, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) the reasons therefor and shall submit to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) suggested modifications to the land use ordinances to make them consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) and the purposes of sections [544](/usc/16/544.md) to [544p](/usc/16/544p.md) of this title.
- (k) **Commission reconsideration—** Upon receipt of notification of nonconcurrence by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall resubmit the land use ordinance to the appropriate county. Such county shall within ninety days, reconsider and revise the ordinance and resubmit the ordinance to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) for reconsideration in accordance with the provisions of this section. Should the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) again deny concurrence, the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall either prepare a land use ordinance for such county pursuant to [subsection (l)](#l) of this section or, by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) including a majority of the members appointed from each [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), determine that the ordinance is consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k).
- (l) **Commission ordinances—**
  - (1) Within ninety days after making a determination that a county has failed to comply with the provisions of [subsection (h)](#h) of this section, the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall make and publish an ordinance setting standards for the use of non-[Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) of such county within the boundaries of the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q). The ordinances shall have the object of assuring that the use of such lands is consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k). The ordinances may differ amongst the several parcels of land within the boundaries of the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q). The ordinances may from time to time be amended by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c).
  - (2) The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall promptly submit the ordinance to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1). The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall, within ninety days after receipt of the ordinance from the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), concur with the tentative determination that the land use ordinance is consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) unless a determination of inconsistency is made. Any ordinance submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall become effective upon concurrence. Should the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) fail to concur within ninety days, the land use ordinance shall be effective.
  - (3) If concurrence is denied, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) the reasons for finding the ordinance is inconsistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), and shall submit to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) suggested modifications to the ordinance to make it consistent with the plan.
  - (4) The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall have ninety days after it receives recommendations from the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) to make modifications designed to eliminate the inconsistencies and to resubmit the ordinance to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) for concurrence. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall have sixty days to concur with the resubmitted ordinance. Any resubmitted ordinance shall become effective upon concurrence by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1). Should the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) deny concurrence for the resubmitted ordinance, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) the reasons therefor and shall promptly resubmit the ordinance for reconsideration. Should the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) fail to concur within sixty days, the ordinance shall be deemed effective.
  - (5) Within one hundred twenty days after receipt of notification of non-concurrence, the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall—
    - (A) revise and resubmit the land use ordinance to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1); or
    - (B) by a vote of two-thirds of its membership, including a majority of the members appointed from each [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), reject the suggested modifications of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) and adopt a land use ordinance consistent with the provisions of this section and the purposes of sections [544](/usc/16/544.md) to [544p](/usc/16/544p.md) of this title.
- (m) **Subsequent compliance—** In the event the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) has adopted an ordinance pursuant to this section, the affected county may thereafter, upon written notice to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) and to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), elect to adopt a special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) land use ordinance, in which event it shall comply with the provisions of this section for adoption of special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) land use ordinances. Upon concurrence of such land use ordinances by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) they shall supersede any special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) land use ordinances for the county development by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), subject to valid existing rights.
- (n) **Effect of Secretary’s non-concurrence—** If the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) does not concur in any land use ordinance approved or adopted by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) pursuant to this section, the availability of certain funds to the relevant county shall be governed by [section 544n(c) of this title](/usc/16/544n.md?p=c).
- (o) **Special rules—**
  - (1) **In general—** Any ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall not apply to any parcel or parcels of land within a special management [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) if, after the date such ordinance has been adopted, three years have elapsed after a landowner has made a bona fide offer to sell at fair market value or otherwise convey such parcel or parcels to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), unless the affected landowner agrees to an extension of the three year period: Provided, That an offer shall not be considered bona fide if the landowner refuses consideration equal to the fair market value as appraised in accordance with [section 544g(e) of this title](/usc/16/544g.md?p=e). Lands for which an ordinance is suspended pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the relevant [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) land use ordinance adopted pursuant to [section 544e of this title](/usc/16/544e.md).
  - (2) **Applicability—** This subsection shall not apply to any land offered to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) for [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) after March 31, 2001.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.
[^2]: So in original. No subsec. (g) has been enacted.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–663, § 8, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4283; Pub. L. 106–291, title III, § 346(b), Oct. 11, 2000, 114 Stat. 999.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2000—Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 106–291 designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted par. heading, substituted “section 544g(e) of this title.” for “the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (Interagency Land Acquisition Conference, 1973).” in first sentence, and added par. (2).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Administration, Operation, and Maintenance of Pierce National Wildlife Refuge and Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery

Pub. L. 100–71, title I, July 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 418, provided in part that: “Notwithstanding the provisions of Public Law 99–663 [enacting sections 544 to 544p of this title and amending sections 1274 and 1276 of this title], which established the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Pierce National Wildlife Refuge and the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery shall continue to be administered, operated and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act [16 U.S.C. 668dd, 668ee], Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.], and Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 [16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.] by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”