---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 3104"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "3104"
heading: "Management of Indian forest land"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/3104"
units:
  - "Chapter 33 — National Indian Forest Resources Management"
---

# §3104. Management of Indian forest land

- (a) **Management activities—** The [Secretary](/usc/25/3103.md?p=13) shall undertake [forest land management activities](/usc/25/3103.md?p=4) on [Indian forest land](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3), either directly or through contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants under the [Indian](/usc/25/3103.md?p=9) Self-Determination Act [[25 U.S.C. 5321](/usc/25/5321.md) et seq.].
- (b) **Management objectives—** [Indian forest land](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) management activities undertaken by the [Secretary](/usc/25/3103.md?p=13) shall be designed to achieve the following objectives—
  - (1) the development, maintenance, and enhancement of [Indian forest land](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) in a perpetually productive state in accordance with the principles of [sustained yield](/usc/25/3103.md?p=14) and with the standards and objectives set forth in [forest management plans](/usc/25/3103.md?p=5) by providing effective management and protection through the application of sound silvicultural and economic principles to—
    - (A) the harvesting of [forest products](/usc/25/3103.md?p=6),
    - (B) forestation,
    - (C) timber stand improvement, and
    - (D) other forestry practices;
  - (2) the regulation of [Indian forest lands](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) through the development and implementation, with the full and active consultation and participation of the appropriate [Indian tribe](/usc/25/5130.md?p=2), of [forest management plans](/usc/25/3103.md?p=5) which are supported by written tribal objectives and [forest](/usc/25/3103.md?p=2) marketing programs;
  - (3) the regulation of [Indian forest lands](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) in a manner that will ensure the use of good method and order in harvesting so as to make possible, on a [sustained yield](/usc/25/3103.md?p=14) basis, continuous productivity and a perpetual [forest](/usc/25/3103.md?p=2) business;
  - (4) the development of [Indian forest lands](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) and associated value-added industries by [Indians](/usc/25/3103.md?p=9) and [Indian tribes](/usc/25/5130.md?p=2) to promote self-sustaining communities, so that [Indians](/usc/25/3103.md?p=9) may receive from their [Indian forest land](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) not only stumpage value, but also the benefit of all the labor and profit that such [Indian forest land](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) is capable of yielding;
  - (5) the retention of [Indian forest land](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) in its natural state when an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/5130.md?p=2) determines that the recreational, cultural, aesthetic, or traditional values of the [Indian forest land](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) represents the highest and best use of the land;
  - (6) the management and protection of [forest resources](/usc/25/3103.md?p=7) to retain the beneficial effects to [Indian forest lands](/usc/25/3103.md?p=3) of regulating water run-off and minimizing soil erosion; and
  - (7) the maintenance and improvement of timber productivity, grazing, wildlife, fisheries, recreation, aesthetic, cultural and other traditional values.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–630, title III, § 305, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4535.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§ 5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.