--- kind: "section" citation: "16 U.S.C. § 544h" title: "16" title_heading: "Conservation" number: "544h" heading: "Interim management" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/544h" units: - "Chapter 2 — National Forests" - "Subchapter II — Scenic Areas" --- # §544h. Interim management - (a) **Interim guidelines—** - (1) [^1] Within one hundred eighty days after November 17, 1986, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall develop [interim guidelines](/usc/16/544.md?p=h) for the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) outside [urban areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=s) to identify land use activities which are inconsistent with sections [544](/usc/16/544.md) to [544p](/usc/16/544p.md) of this title and to govern the authority to [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) land without the consent of the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) provided by [subsection (b)](#b) of this section. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall promptly notify the public of adoption of the [interim guidelines](/usc/16/544.md?p=h) and transmit the guidelines to each county. Guidelines adopted by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) pursuant to this subsection shall remain in effect for each county until the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) has developed guidelines for the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) pursuant to [section 544f of this title](/usc/16/544f.md) and the land use ordinances prescribed by [section 544e of this title](/usc/16/544e.md) are in effect. - (b) **Interim acquisition authority and injunctive relief—** Prior to the concurrence by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of land use ordinances prescribed by [section 544f of this title](/usc/16/544f.md) and the approval by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) of land use ordinances prescribed by [section 544e of this title](/usc/16/544e.md), the following authorities are granted: - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) by condemnation any land or interest which is being used or threatened to be used in a manner inconsistent with the purposes for which the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) was established and which will cause or is likely to cause impacts adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation, and natural resources of the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o): Provided, That no lands or interests therein can be acquired by condemnation pursuant to this section if used in the same manner and for the same purposes as used on November 17, 1986, unless such land is used for or interest is in the development of sand, gravel, or crushed rock, or the disposal of refuse: Provided further, That within thirty days of the filing by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of a complaint for condemnation of any land or interest in the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o), outside of the [special management areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=q) and [urban areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=s), the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), 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), or if the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) is not in existence the Governor of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) in which the land or interest is located, may disapprove such proposed complaint. - (2) Upon or after the commencement of any action for condemnation pursuant to this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), acting through the Attorney General of the United States, may apply to the appropriate United States District Court for a temporary restraining order or injunction to prohibit the use of any property within the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o), but outside of [urban areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=s), which will cause or is likely to cause impacts adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation and natural resources of the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) or is otherwise inconsistent with the purposes for which the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) was established. During the period of such order or injunction, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall diligently and in good faith negotiate with the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) of the property to assure that, following termination of the order or injunction, the inconsistent use is abated or the adverse effect is mitigated. - (c) **Review of development action—** Prior to the effective date of a land use ordinance for each county pursuant to [section 544e of this title](/usc/16/544e.md), and concurrence of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) on a land use ordinance for each county pursuant to [section 544f of this title](/usc/16/544f.md), the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall review all proposals for [major development actions](/usc/16/544.md?p=j) and new [residential development](/usc/16/544.md?p=n) in such county in the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o), except [urban areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=s). The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall allow [major development actions](/usc/16/544.md?p=j) and new [residential development](/usc/16/544.md?p=n) only if it determines that such development is consistent with the standards contained 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. ## Footnotes [^1]: So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 99–663, § 10, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4291.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Codification November 17, 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the original “the effective date of this Act”, which was translated as being the date of enactment of Pub. L. 99–663.