---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 3054"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "3054"
heading: "Temporary closure for traditional and cultural purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/3054"
units:
  - "Chapter 32A — Cultural and Heritage Cooperation Authority"
---

# §3054. Temporary closure for traditional and cultural purposes

- (a) **Recognition of historic use—** To the maximum extent practicable, the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) shall ensure access to [National Forest System](/usc/25/3052.md?p=7) land by [Indians](/usc/25/3052.md?p=4) for [traditional and cultural purposes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=9), in accordance with [subsection (b)](#b), in recognition of the historic use by [Indians](/usc/25/3052.md?p=4) of [National Forest System](/usc/25/3052.md?p=7) land.
- (b) **Closing land from public access—**
  - (1) **Authority to close—** Upon the approval by the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of a request from an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5), the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) may temporarily close from public access specifically identified [National Forest System](/usc/25/3052.md?p=7) land to protect the privacy of tribal activities for [traditional and cultural purposes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=9).
  - (2) **Limitation—** A closure of [National Forest System](/usc/25/3052.md?p=7) land under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall affect the smallest practicable area for the minimum period necessary for activities of the applicable [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5).
  - (3) **Consistency—** Access by [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3052.md?p=5) to [National Forest System](/usc/25/3052.md?p=7) land under this subsection shall be consistent with the purposes of 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, § 8104, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1288; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VIII, § 8104, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2049.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), 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.