---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 797c"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "797c"
heading: "Dams in National Park System units"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/797c"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Federal Regulation and Development of Power"
  - "Subchapter I — Regulation of the Development of Water Power and Resources"
---

# §797c. Dams in National Park System units


After October 24, 1992, the Federal Energy Regulatory [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) may not issue an original license under Part I of the Federal Power Act [[16 U.S.C. 791a](/usc/16/791a.md) et seq.] (nor an exemption from such Part) for any new hydroelectric power [project](/usc/16/796.md?p=11) located within the boundaries of any [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) System that would have a direct adverse effect on [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) within any such [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4). Nothing in this section shall be construed as repealing any existing provision of law (or affecting any treaty) explicitly authorizing a hydroelectric power [project](/usc/16/796.md?p=11).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXIV, § 2402, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3097.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063. Part I of the Act is classified generally to this subchapter (§ 791a et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.