---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 8424"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "8424"
heading: "Restoration of overnight campsites"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/8424"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences"
  - "Subchapter I — Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure"
  - "Part B — Public Recreation on Federal Recreational Lands and Waters"
---

# §8424. Restoration of overnight campsites

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Recreation Area—** The term “Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” means the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) and grounds associated with the recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Ouachita National Forest Camping Restoration” and dated November 30, 2023, on file with the Forest Service.
  - (2) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7)” means the [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) of Agriculture.
- (b) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) shall—
  - (1) not later than 6 months after January 4, 2025, identify 54 [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) within the Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that may be suitable for overnight camping; and
  - (2) not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025—
    - (A) review each [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) identified under [paragraph (1)](#b-1); and
    - (B) from the [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) so identified, select and establish at least 27 campsites and related facilities within the Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) for public use.
- (c) **Requirements related to campsites and related facilities—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) shall—
  - (1) ensure that at least 27 campsites are available under [subsection (b)](#b), of which not less than 8 shall have electric and water hookups; and
  - (2) ensure that each campsite and related facility identified or established under [subsection (b)](#b) is located outside of the 1 percent annual exceedance probability flood elevation.
- (d) **Reopening of certain sites—** Not later than 30 days after January 4, 2025, the [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) shall open each campsite within the Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that—
  - (1) exists on January 4, 2025;
  - (2) is located outside of the 1 percent annual exceedance probability flood elevation;
  - (3) was in operation on June 1, 2010; and
  - (4) would not interfere with any current (as of January 4, 2025) day use [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (e) **Day use areas—** Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2025, the [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) shall [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) such actions as are necessary to rehabilitate and make publicly accessible the [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) identified for year-round day use, including the following:
  - (1) Loop A.
  - (2) Loop B.
  - (3) The covered, large-group picnic pavilion in Loop D.
  - (4) The parking lot in Loop D.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 124, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2846.)