---
kind: "section"
citation: "54 U.S.C. § 120101"
title: "54"
title_heading: "National Park Service and Related Programs"
number: "120101"
heading: "Definition of National Heritage Area"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/54/120101"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — National Park System"
  - "Division C — National Heritage Areas"
  - "Chapter 1201 — National Heritage Area System"
---

# §120101. Definition of National Heritage Area


In this chapter, the term “National Heritage Area” means a component of the National Heritage Area [System](/usc/54/100102.md?p=5) described in [section 120102(b)](/usc/54/120102.md?p=b).


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6158.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Private Property and Regulatory Protections

Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(b)(1), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6162, provided that: In general.—Nothing in this section [enacting this chapter, amending provisions listed in a table of National Heritage and River Corridors, a table of National Heritage Areas, and a table of National Heritage Canalways set out under section 120102 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 120102 of this title] (including an amendment made by this section)— abridges any right of a public or private property owner, including the right to refrain from participating in any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within a National Heritage Area; requires any property owner to permit public access (including Federal, State, Tribal government, or local government access) to a property; modifies any provision of Federal, State, Tribal, or local law with respect to public access or use of private land; alters any applicable land use regulation, land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, State, or local agency or Tribal government; or conveys to any local coordinating entity any land use or other regulatory authority; authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of water or water rights; diminishes the authority of a State to manage fish and wildlife, including through the regulation of fishing and hunting within a National Heritage Area in the State; or creates or affects any liability— under any other provision of law; or of any private property owner with respect to any person injured on private property.”