---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 3051"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "3051"
heading: "Purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/3051"
units:
  - "Chapter 32A — Cultural and Heritage Cooperation Authority"
---

# §3051. Purposes


The purposes of this chapter are—

- (1) to authorize the reburial of [human remains](/usc/25/3052.md?p=3) and [cultural items](/usc/25/3052.md?p=2) on [National Forest System](/usc/25/3052.md?p=7) land, including [human remains](/usc/25/3052.md?p=3) and [cultural items](/usc/25/3052.md?p=2) repatriated under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ([25 U.S.C. 3001](/usc/25/3001.md) et seq.);
- (2) to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information regarding [reburial sites](/usc/25/3052.md?p=8), including the quantity and identity of [human remains](/usc/25/3052.md?p=3) and [cultural items](/usc/25/3052.md?p=2) on sites and the location of sites;
- (3) to authorize the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of Agriculture to ensure access to [National Forest System](/usc/25/3052.md?p=7) land, to the maximum extent practicable, by [Indians](/usc/25/3052.md?p=4) and [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5) for [traditional and cultural purposes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=9);
- (4) to authorize the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) to provide forest products, without consideration, to [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5) for [traditional and cultural purposes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=9);
- (5) to authorize the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) to protect the confidentiality of certain information, including information that is culturally sensitive to [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5);
- (6) to increase the availability of Forest Service programs and resources to [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5) in support of the policy of the United States to promote tribal sovereignty and self-determination; and
- (7) to strengthen support for the policy of the United States of protecting and preserving the traditional, cultural, and ceremonial rites and practices of [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5), in accordance with Public Law 95–341 (commonly known as the American [Indian](/usc/25/3052.md?p=4) Religious Freedom Act; [42 U.S.C. 1996](/usc/42/1996.md)).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–234, title VIII, § 8101, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1286; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VIII, § 8101, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2048.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, referred to in par. (1), is Pub. L. 101–601, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3048, which is classified principally to chapter 32 (§ 3001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3001 of this title and Tables.

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act, referred to in par. (7), is Pub. L. 95–341, Aug. 11, 1978, 92 Stat. 469, which is classified to sections 1996 and 1996a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1996 of Title 42 and Tables.

### Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

### Definition of “Secretary”

“Secretary” as meaning the Secretary of Agriculture, see section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.