---
kind: "unit"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
key: "ch2/schI"
level: "subchapter"
label: "Subchapter I"
heading: "Establishment and Administration"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/ch2-schI"
sections_count: 167
---

# Subchapter I — Establishment and Administration

Title 16 — Conservation › Chapter 2 — National Forests

## Sections

- [§471. Repealed.](/usc/16/471.md)
- [§471a. Forest reserves in New Mexico and Arizona restricted](/usc/16/471a.md)
- [§471b. Repealed.](/usc/16/471b.md)
- [§471c. Lands in California set aside as reserved forest lands](/usc/16/471c.md)
- [§471d. Additional forest reserves in California](/usc/16/471d.md)
- [§471e. Extension of boundaries of Sequoia National Forest](/usc/16/471e.md)
- [§471f. Cradle of Forestry in America in Pisgah National Forest; establishment; statement of purposes; publication in Federal Register](/usc/16/471f.md)
- [§471g. Administration, protection, and development; use of natural resources](/usc/16/471g.md)
- [§471h. Cooperation with public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals; acceptance of contributions and gifts](/usc/16/471h.md)
- [§471i. Pinelands National Reserve](/usc/16/471i.md)
- [§471j. Headwaters Forest and Elk River Property acquisition](/usc/16/471j.md)
- [§472. Laws affecting national forest lands](/usc/16/472.md)
- [§472a. Timber sales on National Forest System lands](/usc/16/472a.md)
- [§473. Revocation, modification, or vacation of orders or proclamations establishing national forests](/usc/16/473.md)
- [§474. Surveys; plats and field notes; maps; effect under Act](/usc/16/474.md)
- [§475. Purposes for which national forests may be established and administered](/usc/16/475.md)
- [§476. Repealed.](/usc/16/476.md)
- [§477. Use of timber and stone by settlers](/usc/16/477.md)
- [§478. Egress or ingress of actual settlers; prospecting](/usc/16/478.md)
- [§478a. Townsites](/usc/16/478a.md)
- [§479. Sites for schools and churches](/usc/16/479.md)
- [§479a. Conveyance of National Forest System lands for educational purposes](/usc/16/479a.md)
- [§480. Civil and criminal jurisdiction](/usc/16/480.md)
- [§481. Use of waters](/usc/16/481.md)
- [§482. Mineral lands; restoration to public domain; location and entry](/usc/16/482.md)
- [§482a. Mining rights in Prescott National Forest](/usc/16/482a.md)
- [§482b. Mount Hood National Forest; mining rights](/usc/16/482b.md)
- [§482c. Patents affecting forest lands](/usc/16/482c.md)
- [§482d. Perfection of claims within forest](/usc/16/482d.md)
- [§482e. Lincoln National Forest; mining rights](/usc/16/482e.md)
- [§482f. Patents affecting forest lands](/usc/16/482f.md)
- [§482g. Perfection of claims within forest](/usc/16/482g.md)
- [§482h. Coronado National Forest; mining rights](/usc/16/482h.md)
- [§482h–1. Protection of scenic values of forest](/usc/16/482h-1.md)
- [§482h–2. Cutting of timber; reservation of patent rights](/usc/16/482h-2.md)
- [§482h–3. Perfection of mining claims](/usc/16/482h-3.md)
- [§482i. Plumas National Forest; offer of lands; additions; mining rights](/usc/16/482i.md)
- [§482j. Santa Fe National Forest; mining rights; protection of scenic values](/usc/16/482j.md)
- [§482k. Patents affecting forest lands](/usc/16/482k.md)
- [§482l. Perfection of mining claims within forest](/usc/16/482l.md)
- [§482m. Teton National Forest in Wyoming; additional lands](/usc/16/482m.md)
- [§482n. Coconino National Forest; mining rights; protection of scenic values](/usc/16/482n.md)
- [§482n–1. Cutting of timber within forest; reservation of patent rights](/usc/16/482n-1.md)
- [§482n–2. Perfection of mining claims within forest](/usc/16/482n-2.md)
- [§482n–3. Sedona-Oak Creek area](/usc/16/482n-3.md)
- [§482o. Kaibab National Forest; mining rights; protection of scenic values](/usc/16/482o.md)
- [§482p. Patents affecting lands within forest](/usc/16/482p.md)
- [§482q. Perfection of mining claims within forest](/usc/16/482q.md)
- [§484. Repealed.](/usc/16/484.md)
- [§484a. Exchange of lands in national forests; public schools; deposit of funds by school authority with insufficient exchange land; limitations on use](/usc/16/484a.md)
- [§485. Exchange of lands in national forests; cutting timber in national forests in exchange for lands therein](/usc/16/485.md)
- [§485a. Omitted](/usc/16/485a.md)
- [§486. Exchange of lands in national forests; reservations of timber, minerals, or easements](/usc/16/486.md)
- [§486a...486w. Omitted](/usc/16/486a...486w.md)
- [§487. Cutting timber on land added to Siskiyou National Forest](/usc/16/487.md)
- [§487a. Cutting timber on lands added to Rogue River National Forest](/usc/16/487a.md)
- [§488. Establishment of exterior boundaries of national forests](/usc/16/488.md)
- [§489. Repealed.](/usc/16/489.md)
- [§490. Deposits from timber purchasers to defray cost of disposing of debris](/usc/16/490.md)
- [§491. Omitted](/usc/16/491.md)
- [§492. Earth, stone, and timber for Departments of the Army and Navy, and Government works in Alaska](/usc/16/492.md)
- [§493. Omitted](/usc/16/493.md)
- [§494. Calaveras Bigtree National Forest](/usc/16/494.md)
- [§495. Leases of lands for sanitariums or hotels](/usc/16/495.md)
- [§496. Disposition of funds](/usc/16/496.md)
- [§497. Use and occupation of lands for hotels, resorts, summer homes, stores, and facilities for industrial, commercial, educational or public uses](/usc/16/497.md)
- [§497a. Occupancy and use under permit of lands in Alaska for various purposes; period of permit; size of allotment; prohibitions; termination](/usc/16/497a.md)
- [§497b. Ski area permits](/usc/16/497b.md)
- [§497c. Ski area permit rental charge](/usc/16/497c.md)
- [§497d. Recreation residence fees](/usc/16/497d.md)
- [§497e. Enhancing Forest Service administration of rights-of-way and land uses](/usc/16/497e.md)
- [§498. Cooperative work agreements: disposal of moneys received; refund of excess; payment from appropriation; conflict of interest](/usc/16/498.md)
- [§499. Disposal of money received by or on account of Forest Service; refund of excess and moneys erroneously collected; receipts from permits](/usc/16/499.md)
- [§500. Payment and evaluation of receipts to State or Territory for schools and roads; moneys received; projections of revenues and estimated payments](/usc/16/500.md)
- [§501. Expenditures from receipts for roads and trails; cooperation with State authorities; evaluation of receipts](/usc/16/501.md)
- [§501a. Omitted](/usc/16/501a.md)
- [§502. Rental of property for Forest Service; forage, care, and housing of animals; storage of vehicles and other equipment; pack stock; loss, damage, or destruction of horses, vehicles, and other equipment](/usc/16/502.md)
- [§503. Repealed.](/usc/16/503.md)
- [§503a. Omitted](/usc/16/503a.md)
- [§504. Purchases of tree seeds, cones, forage plant seed, and nursery stock for national forests](/usc/16/504.md)
- [§504a. Sale of forest-tree seed and nursery stock to States and political subdivisions; disposition of moneys; exchanges; limitation](/usc/16/504a.md)
- [§505. Use of national forests established on land reserved for purposes of national defense; maintenance available](/usc/16/505.md)
- [§505a. Interchange of lands between Department of Agriculture and military departments of Department of Defense; report to Congress](/usc/16/505a.md)
- [§505b. Laws applicable](/usc/16/505b.md)
- [§506...508. Repealed.](/usc/16/506...508.md)
- [§508a. Omitted](/usc/16/508a.md)
- [§508b. National forests in Minnesota; authority to prospect, develop, mine, remove, and utilize mineral resources](/usc/16/508b.md)
- [§509. Repealed.](/usc/16/509.md)
- [§510a. Omitted](/usc/16/510a.md)
- [§511. Reinstatement of entries canceled or relinquished](/usc/16/511.md)
- [§512. Omitted](/usc/16/512.md)
- [§513. Repealed.](/usc/16/513.md)
- [§514. Repealed.](/usc/16/514.md)
- [§515. Examination, location, and purchase of forested, cut-over, or denuded lands; consent of State legislature to acquisition of land by the United States](/usc/16/515.md)
- [§516. Exchange of lands in the public interest; equal value; cutting and removing timber; publication of contemplated exchange](/usc/16/516.md)
- [§517. Title to lands to be acquired](/usc/16/517.md)
- [§517a. Payment of awards in condemnation proceedings](/usc/16/517a.md)
- [§518. Acquisition of lands not defeated by rights-of-way, easements, and reservations](/usc/16/518.md)
- [§519. Agricultural lands included in tracts acquired; sale for homesteads](/usc/16/519.md)
- [§519a. Transfer of forest reservation lands for military purposes](/usc/16/519a.md)
- [§520. Regulations as to mineral resources](/usc/16/520.md)
- [§521. Lands acquired to be reserved, held, and administered as national forest lands; designation](/usc/16/521.md)
- [§521a. Administration, management, and consolidation of certain lands](/usc/16/521a.md)
- [§521b. Report of Secretary of Agriculture prior to purchase or exchange of land; contents; waiting period](/usc/16/521b.md)
- [§521c. Definitions](/usc/16/521c.md)
- [§521d. Sale, exchange, or interchange of National Forest System land](/usc/16/521d.md)
- [§521e. Small parcels and road rights-of-way](/usc/16/521e.md)
- [§521f. Costs of conveyance and value of improvements](/usc/16/521f.md)
- [§521g. Road rights-of-way subject to State or local law](/usc/16/521g.md)
- [§521h. Regulations; contents](/usc/16/521h.md)
- [§521i. Unaffected lands](/usc/16/521i.md)
- [§522. Omitted](/usc/16/522.md)
- [§523. Omitted](/usc/16/523.md)
- [§524. Rights-of-way for dams, reservoirs, or water plants for municipal, mining, and milling purposes](/usc/16/524.md)
- [§525. Rights-of-way for wagon roads or railroads](/usc/16/525.md)
- [§526. Establishment and protection of water rights](/usc/16/526.md)
- [§527. Use of Forest Service funds for administration of certain lands](/usc/16/527.md)
- [§528. Development and administration of renewable surface resources for multiple use and sustained yield of products and services; Congressional declaration of policy and purpose](/usc/16/528.md)
- [§529. Authorization of development and administration consideration to relative values of resources; areas of wilderness](/usc/16/529.md)
- [§530. Cooperation for purposes of development and administration with State and local governmental agencies and others](/usc/16/530.md)
- [§531. Definitions](/usc/16/531.md)
- [§532. Roads and trails system; Congressional findings and declaration of policy](/usc/16/532.md)
- [§533. Grant of easements for road rights-of-way; authority of Secretary of Agriculture; regulations](/usc/16/533.md)
- [§534. Termination and cancellation of easements; notice; hearing](/usc/16/534.md)
- [§535. Forest development roads; acquisition, construction, and maintenance; maximum economy; methods of financing; cost arrangements for construction standards; transfer of unused effective purchaser credit for road construction](/usc/16/535.md)
- [§535a. Forest development roads: prohibition on credits; inclusion of construction costs in notice of sale; special election by small business concerns; construction standards; authorization of harvesting; treatment of road value](/usc/16/535a.md)
- [§536. Recording of instruments; furnishing of instruments affecting public domain lands to Secretary of the Interior](/usc/16/536.md)
- [§537. Maintenance and reconstruction by road users; funds for maintenance and reconstruction; availability of deposits until expended, transfer of funds, and refunds](/usc/16/537.md)
- [§538. User fees fund for delayed payments to grantors](/usc/16/538.md)
- [§538a. Forest Service Legacy Road and Trail Remediation Program](/usc/16/538a.md)
- [§539. Additions to existing national forests; administration](/usc/16/539.md)
- [§539a. Mining and mineral leasing on certain national forest lands](/usc/16/539a.md)
- [§539b. Fisheries on national forest lands in Alaska](/usc/16/539b.md)
- [§539c. Cooperative fisheries planning; report to Congress](/usc/16/539c.md)
- [§539d. National forest timber utilization program](/usc/16/539d.md)
- [§539e. Reports](/usc/16/539e.md)
- [§539f. Nonprofit organization user of national forest lands](/usc/16/539f.md)
- [§539g. Kings River Special Management Area](/usc/16/539g.md)
- [§539h. Greer Spring Special Management Area](/usc/16/539h.md)
- [§539i. Fossil Ridge Recreation Management Area](/usc/16/539i.md)
- [§539j. Bowen Gulch Protection Area](/usc/16/539j.md)
- [§539k. Kelly Butte Special Management Area](/usc/16/539k.md)
- [§539l. Designation of James Peak Protection Area, Colorado](/usc/16/539l.md)
- [§539l–1. Inholdings](/usc/16/539l-1.md)
- [§539l–2. James Peak Fall River trailhead](/usc/16/539l-2.md)
- [§539l–3. Loop trail study; authorization](/usc/16/539l-3.md)
- [§539l–4. Other administrative provisions](/usc/16/539l-4.md)
- [§539l–5. Wilderness potential](/usc/16/539l-5.md)
- [§539m. Findings and purposes](/usc/16/539m.md)
- [§539m–1. Definitions](/usc/16/539m-1.md)
- [§539m–2. T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area](/usc/16/539m-2.md)
- [§539m–3. Pueblo rights and interests in the Area](/usc/16/539m-3.md)
- [§539m–4. Limitations on Pueblo rights and interests in the Area](/usc/16/539m-4.md)
- [§539m–5. Management of the Area](/usc/16/539m-5.md)
- [§539m–6. Jurisdiction over the Area](/usc/16/539m-6.md)
- [§539m–7. Subdivisions and other property interests](/usc/16/539m-7.md)
- [§539m–8. Extinguishment of claims](/usc/16/539m-8.md)
- [§539m–9. Construction](/usc/16/539m-9.md)
- [§539m–10. Judicial review](/usc/16/539m-10.md)
- [§539m–11. Provisions relating to contributions and land exchange](/usc/16/539m-11.md)
- [§539m–12. Authorization of appropriations](/usc/16/539m-12.md)
- [§539n. Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit](/usc/16/539n.md)
- [§539o. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest](/usc/16/539o.md)
- [§539p. Southeast Arizona land exchange and conservation](/usc/16/539p.md)
- [§539q. Hermosa Creek watershed protection](/usc/16/539q.md)
- [§539r. Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management Area and wilderness additions](/usc/16/539r.md)
- [§539s. Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area](/usc/16/539s.md)