---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 831h–3"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "831h–3"
heading: "Recreational access"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/831h-3"
units:
  - "Chapter 12A — Tennessee Valley Authority"
---

# §831h–3. Recreational access

- (a) **Definition of floating cabin—** In this section, the term “floating cabin” means a watercraft or other floating structure—
  - (1) primarily designed and used for human habitation or occupation; and
  - (2) not primarily designed or used for navigation or transportation on water.
- (b) **Recreational access—** The Board may allow the use of a floating cabin if—
  - (1) the floating cabin is maintained by the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) to reasonable health, safety, and environmental standards, as required by the Board;
  - (2) the Corporation has authorized the use of recreational vessels on the waters; and
  - (3) the floating cabin was located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation as of December 16, 2016.
- (c) **Fees—** The Board may levy fees on the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) of a floating cabin on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation for the purpose of ensuring compliance with [subsection (b)](#b) if the fees are necessary and reasonable for such purpose.
- (d) **Continued recreational use—**
  - (1) **In general—** With respect to a floating cabin located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation on December 16, 2016, the Board—
    - (A) may not require the removal of the floating cabin—
      - (i) in the case of a floating cabin that was granted a permit by the Corporation before December 16, 2016, for a period of 15 years beginning on such date; and
      - (ii) in the case of a floating cabin not granted a permit by the Corporation before December 16, 2016, for a period of 5 years beginning on such date; and
    - (B) shall approve and allow the use of the floating cabin on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation at such time and for such duration as—
      - (i) the floating cabin meets the requirements of [subsection (b)](#b); and
      - (ii) the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) of the floating cabin has paid any fee assessed pursuant to [subsection (c)](#c).
  - (2) **Savings provisions—**
    - (A) Nothing in this subsection restricts the ability of the Corporation to enforce reasonable health, safety, or environmental standards.
    - (B) This section applies only to floating cabins located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation.
- (e) **New construction—** The Corporation may establish regulations to prevent the construction of new floating cabins.

## Source credit

(May 18, 1933, ch. 32, § 9b, as added Pub. L. 114–322, title IV, § 5003, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1886.)