---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 546a–1"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "546a–1"
heading: "Administration and management"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/546a-1"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Forests"
  - "Subchapter II — Scenic Areas"
---

# §546a–1. Administration and management

- (a) **Administration—** Subject to valid existing rights, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture (in sections [546](/usc/16/546.md) to [546a–5](/usc/16/546a–5.md) of this title referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1)”) shall administer the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the National Forest System in furtherance of the purposes of sections [546](/usc/16/546.md) to [546a–5](/usc/16/546a–5.md) of this title.
- (b) **Special management requirements—** Within 3 years of the [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) of 50 percent of the land authorized for [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) under [section 546a–4 of this title](/usc/16/546a–4.md), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall develop an amendment to the land and resources [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for the Hiawatha National Forest which will direct management of the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o). Such an amendment shall conform to the provisions of sections [546](/usc/16/546.md) to [546a–5](/usc/16/546a–5.md) of this title. Nothing in sections [546](/usc/16/546.md) to [546a–5](/usc/16/546a–5.md) of this title shall require the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) to revise the land and resource [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for the Hiawatha National Forest pursuant to [section 1604 of this title](/usc/16/1604.md). In developing a plan for management of the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall address the following special management considerations:
  - (1) **Public access—** Alternative means for providing public access from the mainland to the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) shall be considered, including any available existing services and facilities, concessionaires, [special use permits](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=13), or other means of making public access available for the purposes of sections [546](/usc/16/546.md) to [546a–5](/usc/16/546a–5.md) of this title.
  - (2) **Roads—** After November 6, 2000, no new permanent roads shall be constructed within the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o).
  - (3) **Vegetation management—** No timber harvest shall be allowed within the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o), except as may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases, and to provide for public safety and trail access. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may engage in vegetation manipulation practices for maintenance of wildlife habitat and visual quality. Trees cut for these purposes may be utilized, salvaged, or removed from the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) as authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1).
  - (4) **Motorized travel—** Motorized travel shall not be permitted within the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o), except on the waters of Lake Michigan, and as necessary for administrative use in furtherance of the purposes of sections [546](/usc/16/546.md) to [546a–5](/usc/16/546a–5.md) of this title.
  - (5) **Fire—** Wildfires shall be suppressed in a manner consistent with the purposes of sections [546](/usc/16/546.md) to [546a–5](/usc/16/546a–5.md) of this title, using such means as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) deems appropriate.
  - (6) **Insects and disease—** Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled in the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) to maintain scenic quality, prevent tree mortality, or to reduce hazards to visitors.
  - (7) **Dockage—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall provide through concession, permit, or other means docking facilities consistent with the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) developed pursuant to this section.
  - (8) **Safety—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) reasonable actions to provide for public health and safety and for the protection of the [scenic area](/usc/16/544.md?p=o) in the event of fire or infestation of insects or disease.
- (c) **Consultation—** In preparing the [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall consult with appropriate [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) and local government officials, provide for full public participation, and consider the views of all interested parties, organizations, and individuals.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–431, § 4, Nov. 6, 2000, 114 Stat. 1906.)