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

# §546b–1. Maps and boundary descriptions

- (a) **In general—** As soon as practicable after March 30, 2009, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall file with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives [maps](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and boundary descriptions of—
  - (1) the [scenic areas](/usc/16/544.md?p=o);
  - (2) the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated by paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 1 of Public Law 100–326 ([16 U.S.C. 1132](/usc/16/1132.md) note) (as added by [section 1102(a)(5)](/usc/16/1102.md));
  - (3) the [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) study [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated by section 6(a)(5) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 ([16 U.S.C. 1132](/usc/16/1132.md) note; Public Law 98–586) (as added by [section 1102(b)(2)(D)](/usc/16/1102.md)); and
  - (4) the potential [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated by [section 1103(a)](/usc/16/1103.md?p=a).[^1]
- (b) **Force and effect—** The [maps](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and boundary descriptions filed under [subsection (a)](#a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this subtitle, except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may correct any minor errors in the [maps](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and boundary descriptions.
- (c) **Availability of map and boundary description—** The [maps](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and boundary descriptions filed under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
- (d) **Conflict—** In the case of a conflict between a [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) filed under [subsection (a)](#a) and the acreage of the applicable [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) specified in this subtitle, the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) shall control.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–11, title I, § 1106, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1007.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 1 of Public Law 100–326 as added by section 1102(a)(5), referred to in subsec. (a)(2), means paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 1 of Public Law 100–326 as added by section 1102(a)(5) of Pub. L. 111–11, which enacted and amended provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title.

Section 6(a)(5) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586) (as added by section 1102(b)(2)(D)), referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is section 6(a)(5) of Pub. L. 98–586, as added by section 1102(b)(2)(D) of Pub. L. 111–11, title I, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1004, which is not classified to the Code.

Section 1103(a), referred to in subsec. (a)(4), means section 1103(a) of Pub. L. 111–11, which amended provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title.

This subtitle, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (d), is subtitle B (§§ 1101–1107) of title I of Pub. L. 111–11, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1002, which enacted this section and section 546b of this title, enacted provisions set out as a note under section 546b of this title, and enacted and amended provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 1101 of Pub. L. 111–11, set out as a note under section 546b of this title.