---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 670k"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "670k"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/670k"
units:
  - "Chapter 5C — Conservation Programs on Government Lands"
  - "Subchapter II — Conservation Programs on Public Lands"
---

# §670k. Definitions


As used in this subchapter—

- (1) The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- (2) The term “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Atomic Energy [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c).
- (3) The term “off-road vehicle” means any motorized vehicle designed for, or capable of, cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, sand, snow, ice, marsh, swampland, or other natural terrain; but such term does not include—
  - (A) any registered motorboat at the option of each [State](/usc/16/670.md?p=2);
  - (B) any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle when used for emergency purposes; and
  - (C) any vehicle the use of which is expressly authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior or the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture under a permit, lease, license, or contract.
- (4) The term “public land” means all lands, under the respective jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture, the [Chairman](#2), and the [Administrator](#1), except land which is, or hereafter may be, within or designated as—
  - (A) a military reservation;
  - (B) a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) System;
  - (C) an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) within the national wildlife refuge system;
  - (D) an Indian reservation; or
  - (E) an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) within an Indian reservation or land held in [trust](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=4) by the [United States](/usc/16/670.md?p=5) for an Indian or [Indian tribe](/usc/16/670.md?p=6).
- (5) The term “State agency” means the agency or agencies of a [State](/usc/16/670.md?p=2) responsible for the administration of the fish and game laws of the [State](/usc/16/670.md?p=2).
- (6) The term “conservation and rehabilitation programs” means to utilize those methods and procedures which are necessary to protect, conserve, and enhance wildlife, fish, and game resources to the maximum extent practicable on [public lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=7) subject to this subchapter consistent with any overall land use and [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for the lands involved. Such methods and procedures shall include, but shall not be limited to, all activities associated with scientific resources management such as protection, research, census, law enforcement, habitat management, propagation, live trapping and transplantation, and regulated [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) in conformance with the provisions of this subchapter. Nothing in this term shall be construed as diminishing the authority or jurisdiction of the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) with respect to the management of resident species of fish, wildlife, or game, except as otherwise provided by law.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 86–797, title II, § 205, as added Pub. L. 93–452, § 2, Oct. 18, 1974, 88 Stat. 1373; amended Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 312(b)(11), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1355.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Pub. L. 112–81 inserted section catchline.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Transfer of Functions

Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by sections 5814 and 5841 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. See, also, Transfer of Functions notes set out under those sections.