43 C.F.R. Subpart C—Rules of Conduct
Title 43 - Public Lands: Interior
(a) You must obey all applicable Federal, state, and local laws whenever you are at or on any Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies. (b) You must comply with all provisions of this subpart C whenever you are at or on any Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies, except as specifically provided by: (1) A permit issued by an authorized official under subpart D of this part 423; (2) A contract with Reclamation or agency managing Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies; (3) The rules established by an authorized official in a special use area under subpart E of this part 423; or (4) A right-of-use issued under 43 CFR part 429. (a) You are responsible for finding, being aware of, and obeying notices and postings of closed and special use areas established by an authorized official under subpart B and subpart E of this part 423. (b) You are responsible for the use of any device, vehicle, vessel, or aircraft you own, lease, or operate on Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies. You may be issued a citation for a violation of regulations applicable to the use of any device, vehicle, vessel, or aircraft as provided in this part as the owner, lessee, or operator. (c) You are responsible for the use and treatment of Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies, and the cultural resources, wildlife, and other natural resources located thereon, by you and those for whom you are legally responsible. This presumption is sufficient to issue a citation to you for violation of provisions of these regulations by you or by those for whom you are legally responsible. (d) The regulations governing permits, other use authorizations, and fees on Reclamation lands that are found in subpart D of this part 423 apply to your use of Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies. (e) You must furnish identification information upon request by a law enforcement officer. (a) You must not assault, threaten, disturb, resist, intimidate, impede, or interfere with any employee or agent of Federal, state, or local government engaged in an official duty. (b) You must comply with any lawful order of an authorized government employee or agent for the purpose of maintaining order and controlling public access and movement during law enforcement actions and emergency or safety-related operations. (c) You must not knowingly give a false report or other false information to an authorized government employee or agent. (d) You must not interfere with, impede, or disrupt the authorized use of Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies or impair the safety of any person. (e) Disorderly conduct is prohibited. (a) You must not abandon personal property of any kind in or on Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies. (b) You must not store or leave unattended personal property of any kind. (1) Unattended personal property is presumed to be abandoned: (i) After a period of 24 hours; (ii) At any time after a posted closure takes effect under subpart B of this part 423; or (iii) At any time for reasons of security, public safety, or resource protection. (2) If personal property is presumed abandoned, an authorized official may impound it, store it, and assess a reasonable impoundment fee. (3) The impoundment fee must be paid before the authorized official will return the impounded property to you. (c) An authorized official may impound or destroy unattended personal property at any time if it: (1) Interferes with safety, operation, or management of Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies; or (2) Presents a threat to persons or Reclamation project resources. (d) An authorized official may dispose of abandoned personal property in accordance with the procedures contained in title 41 CFR and applicable Reclamation and Department of the Interior policy. You must not trespass on Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies. (a) You must not tamper or attempt to tamper with, move, manipulate, operate, adjust, or set in motion property not under your lawful control or possession including, but not limited to, vehicles, equipment, controls, recreational facilities, and devices. (b) You must not destroy, injure, deface, damage, or unlawfully remove property not under your lawful control or possession. (c) You must not drop, place, throw, or roll rocks or other items inside, into, down, or from, dams, spillways, dikes, or other structures and facilities. You must not conduct public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades, and other events without a permit issued pursuant to subpart D of this part 423. Public gatherings that involve the possession or occupancy of Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies are governed by 43 CFR part 429. You must not engage in advertising or solicitation on Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies except as allowed under a valid contract with Reclamation, or as allowed by a permit issued pursuant to subpart D of this part 423. You must not bury, deposit, or scatter human or animal remains, or place memorials, markers, vases, or plaques on Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies. This section does not apply to the burial of parts of fish or wildlife taken in legal hunting, fishing, or trapping. (a) You must not destroy, injure, deface, remove, search for, disturb, or alter natural resources or cultural resources, including abandoned buildings or structures, on or in Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies except in accordance with §423.29(g) and other applicable Federal, state, and local laws. (b) You must not introduce wildlife, fish, or plants, including their reproductive bodies, into Reclamation lands and waterbodies without a permit issued pursuant to subpart D of this part 423. (c) You must not drop, place, throw, or roll rocks or other items inside, into, at, or down, caves, caverns, valleys, canyons, mountainsides, thermal features, or other natural formations. (d) You may bring firewood to or gather dead wood on Reclamation lands for fires as allowed under §423.31. You must not damage or remove any live tree or part thereof except with proper authorization under 43 CFR part 429. (e) You must not walk on, climb, enter, ascend, descend, or traverse cultural resources on Reclamation lands, including monuments or statues, except as specifically allowed in special use areas designated by an authorized official under subpart E of this part 423. (f) You must not possess a metal detector or other geophysical discovery device, or use a metal detector or other geophysical discovery techniques to locate or recover subsurface objects or features on Reclamation lands, except: (1) When transporting, but not using, a metal detector or other geophysical discovery device in a vehicle on a public road as allowed under applicable Federal, state, and local law; or (2) As allowed by a permit issued pursuant to subpart D of this part 423. (g) You may engage in renewable natural resource gathering activities such as picking berries and mushrooms, collecting antlers, and other similar activities as regulated by this part 423 and other applicable Federal, state, and local laws. (a) You may possess firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other projectile firing devices on Reclamation lands and waterbodies, provided the firearm, ammunition, or other projectile firing device is stowed, transported, and/or carried in compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local law, with the following exceptions: (1) You must not have a weapon in your possession when at or in a Reclamation facility. (2) You must comply with any prohibitions or regulations applicable to weapons in a special use area established by an authorized official under subpart E of this part 423. (b) You must not discharge or shoot a weapon unless you are: (1) Using a firearm or other projectile firing device lawfully for hunting or fishing as allowed under §423.32, or at an authorized shooting or archery range; and (2) In compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local law. (c) You must not use or possess explosives, or fireworks or pyrotechnics of any type, except as allowed by a permit issued pursuant to subpart D of this part 423, or in special use areas so designated by an authorized official under subpart E of this part 423. (a) You must not leave a fire unattended, and it must be completely extinguished before your departure. (b) You must not improperly dispose of lighted smoking materials, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, matches, or other burning material. (c) You must not burn materials that produce toxic fumes, including, but not limited to, tires, plastic, flotation materials, or treated wood products. (d) You must not transport gasoline and other fuels in containers not designed for that purpose. (e) You must comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local fire orders, restrictions, or permit requirements. (a) You may hunt, fish, and trap in accordance with applicable Federal, state, and local laws, and subject to the restrictions of §423.30, in areas where both of the following conditions are met: (1) The area is not closed to public use under subpart B of this part 423; and (2) The area has not been otherwise designated by an authorized official in a special use area under subpart E of this part 423. (b) You must comply with any additional restrictions pertaining to hunting, fishing, and trapping established by an authorized official in a special use area under subpart E of this part 423. (a) You may camp on Reclamation lands, except that you must comply with any restrictions, conditions, limitations, or prohibitions on camping established by an authorized official in a special use area under subpart E of this part 423. (b) You must not camp on Reclamation lands at any single Reclamation project for more than 14 days during any period of 30 consecutive days, except as allowed by a permit issued under 43 CFR part 429; (c) You must not attempt to reserve a campsite for future use by placing equipment or other items on the campsite, or by personal appearance, without camping on and paying the required fees for that campsite daily; (d) You must not camp on or place any equipment at a campsite that is posted or otherwise marked as “reserved” or “closed” by an authorized official without a valid reservation for that campsite, except as allowed by a permit issued under subpart D of this part 423; and (e) You must not dig in or level any ground, or erect any structure other than a tent, in a designated campground. (a) You must not bring or improperly dispose of refuse on Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies. Both the owner and the person bringing or disposing refuse may be issued a citation for violating this provision. (b) Campers, picnickers, and all other persons using Reclamation lands must keep their sites free of trash and litter during the period of occupancy and must remove all personal equipment and clean their sites before departure. (c) You must not construct a latrine within 200 yards of any Reclamation waterbody, or within 200 yards of the high water mark of any reservoir. (a) You must not bring pets or other animals into public buildings, public transportation vehicles, or sanitary facilities. This provision does not apply to properly trained animals assisting persons with disabilities, such as seeing-eye dogs. (b) You must not abandon any animal on Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies, or harass, endanger, or attempt to collect any animal except game you are attempting to take in the course of authorized hunting, fishing, or trapping. (c) Any unauthorized, unclaimed, or unattended animal on Reclamation lands may be: (1) Removed in accordance with Federal law, and applicable state and local laws; and (2) Confined at a location designated by an authorized official, who may assess a reasonable impoundment fee that must be paid before the impounded animal is released to its owner. (d) The following animals are prohibited and are subject to removal in accordance with Federal law, and applicable state and local laws: (1) Captive wild or exotic animals (including, but not limited to, cougars, lions, bears, bobcats, wolves, and snakes), except as allowed by a permit issued under subpart D of this part 423; and (2) Any pets or animals displaying vicious or aggressive behavior or posing a threat to public safety or deemed a public nuisance. (a) You may swim, wade, snorkel, scuba dive, raft, or tube at your own risk in Reclamation waters, except: (1) Within 300 yards of dams, power plants, pumping plants, spillways, stilling basins, gates, intake structures, and outlet works; (2) Within 100 yards of buoys or barriers marking public access limits; (3) In canals, laterals, siphons, tunnels, and drainage works; or (4) At public docks, launching sites, and designated mooring areas. (b) You must display an international diver down, or inland diving flag in accordance with state and U.S. Coast Guard guidelines when engaging in any underwater activities. (c) You must not dive, jump, or swing from dams, spillways, bridges, cables, towers, or other structures. (a) You must not tow persons on skis, sleds, or other sliding devices with a motor vehicle or snowmobile, except that you may tow sleds designed to be towed behind snowmobiles if joined to the towing snowmobile with a rigid hitching mechanism, and you may tow disabled snowmobiles by any appropriate means. (b) You must not ice skate, ice fish, or ice sail within 300 yards of dams, power plants, pumping plants, spillways, stilling basins, gates, intake structures, or outlet works. (a) You must comply with Federal, state, and local laws applicable to the operation of a vessel or other watercraft on Reclamation waters, and with any restrictions established by an authorized official. (b) You must not operate a vessel in an area closed to the public. (c) You must observe restrictions established by signs, buoys, and other regulatory markers. (d) You must not operate a vessel, or knowingly allow another person to operate a vessel, in a reckless or negligent manner, or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger a person, property, natural resource, or cultural resource. (e) You must not operate a vessel when impaired or intoxicated under the standards established by applicable state and local law. (f) You must not occupy a vessel overnight, except where otherwise designated under applicable Federal, state, or local law, or where otherwise designated by an authorized official in a special use area. (g) You must not use a vessel as a place of habitation or residence. (h) You must not place or operate a vessel on a Reclamation waterbody for a fee or profit, except as allowed by contract or permit issued pursuant to subpart D of this part 423. (i) You must remove your vessels from Reclamation lands and waters when not in actual use for a period of more than 24 hours, unless they are securely moored or stored at special use areas so designated by an authorized official. (j) You must not attach or anchor a vessel to structures such as locks, dams, regulatory or navigational buoys, or other structures not designed for such purpose. (k) You must display an international diver down, or inland diving flag in accordance with state and U.S. Coast Guard guidelines when operating a vessel involved in any underwater activities. (l) You may engage in towing activities, including but not limited to waterskiing and tubing, only during daylight hours and subject to any applicable Federal, state, and local law. (a) All vessels on Reclamation waters must: (1) Be constructed and maintained in compliance with the standards and requirements established by, or promulgated under, Title 46 United States Code, and any applicable state and local laws and regulations; (2) Have safety equipment, including personal flotation devices, on board in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard boating safety requirements and in compliance with applicable state and local boating safety laws and regulations; and (3) If motorized, have and utilize a proper and effective exhaust muffler as defined by applicable state and local laws. Actions or devices which render exhaust mufflers ineffective are prohibited. (b) Owners or operators of vessels not in compliance with this §423.39 may be required to remove the vessel immediately from Reclamation waterbodies until items of non-compliance are corrected. (a) When operating a vehicle on Reclamation lands and Reclamation projects, you must comply with applicable Federal, state, and local laws, and with posted restrictions and regulations. Operating any vehicle through, around, or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence, or traffic control barricade, is prohibited. (b) You must not park a vehicle in violation of posted restrictions and regulations, or in a manner that would obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger any person, property, or natural feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to removal and impoundment at the owner's expense. (c) You must not operate any vehicle, or allow another person to operate a vehicle in your control, in a careless, negligent or reckless manner that would endanger any person, property, natural resource, or cultural resource. (d) In addition to the regulations in this part, the regulations governing off-road-vehicle use in 43 CFR part 420 apply. (a) You must not takeoff or land an aircraft on Reclamation lands or waterbodies except in special use areas so designated by an authorized official. This paragraph does not apply to pilots engaged in emergency rescue or in the official business of Federal, state, or local governments or law enforcement agencies, or who are forced to land due to circumstances beyond the pilot's control. (b) You must not operate any aircraft while on or above Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner so as to endanger any person, property, or natural feature. (c) This section does not provide authority to deviate from Federal or state regulations, or prescribed standards, including, but not limited to, regulations and standards concerning pilot certifications or ratings and airspace requirements. (d) Except in extreme emergencies threatening human life or serious property loss, you must not use non-standard boarding and loading procedures to deliver or retrieve people, material, or equipment by parachute, balloon, helicopter, or other aircraft. (e) Operation of aircraft on or over Reclamation lands and waterbodies is at the risk of the aircraft owner, pilot, and passenger(s). (f) You must comply with all applicable U.S. Coast Guard rules and §423.38 when operating a seaplane on Reclamation waterbodies. (g) You must securely moor any seaplane remaining on Reclamation waterbodies in excess of 24 hours at mooring facilities and locations designated by an authorized official. Seaplanes may be moored for periods of less than 24 hours on Reclamation waterbodies, except in special use areas otherwise designated by an authorized official, provided: (1) The mooring is safe, secure, and accomplished so as not to damage the rights of the Government or the safety of persons; and (2) The operator remains in the vicinity of the seaplane and reasonably available to relocate the seaplane if necessary. (h) Commercial operation of seaplanes from Reclamation waterbodies is prohibited. (i) You must not operate a seaplane on Reclamation lands and waterbodies between sunset and sunrise. (j) You must comply with any further restrictions on the operation of aircraft in the proximity of specific Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies established by an authorized official. (k) You must not operate model aircraft except as allowed in special use areas established by an authorized official under subpart E of this part 423. Commercial gambling in any form, or the operation of gambling devices, is prohibited on Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies unless authorized by applicable treaties or Federal, state, and local laws or regulations. You must not possess or consume alcoholic beverages in violation of Federal, state, or local law, or the rules of a special use area established by an authorized official under subpart E of this part 423. You must not possess, consume, deliver, or be under the influence of, controlled substances included in schedules I, II, III, IV, or V of part B of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 812) on Reclamation facilities, lands, or waterbodies, unless the controlled substance was legally obtained through a valid prescription or order.
Title 43: Public Lands: Interior
PART 423—PUBLIC CONDUCT ON BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FACILITIES, LANDS, AND WATERBODIES
Subpart C—Rules of Conduct
§ 423.20 General rules.
§ 423.21 Responsibilities.
§ 423.22 Interference with agency functions and disorderly conduct.
§ 423.23 Abandonment and impoundment of personal property.
§ 423.24 Trespassing.
§ 423.25 Vandalism, tampering, and theft.
§ 423.26 Public events and gatherings.
§ 423.27 Advertising and public solicitation.
§ 423.28 Memorials.
§ 423.29 Natural and cultural resources.
§ 423.30 Weapons, firearms, explosives, and fireworks.
§ 423.31 Fires and flammable material.
§ 423.32 Hunting, fishing, and trapping.
§ 423.33 Camping.
§ 423.34 Sanitation.
§ 423.35 Animals.
§ 423.36 Swimming.
§ 423.37 Winter activities.
§ 423.38 Operating vessels on Reclamation waters.
§ 423.39 Standards for vessels.
§ 423.40 Vehicles.
§ 423.41 Aircraft.
§ 423.42 Gambling.
§ 423.43 Alcoholic beverages.
§ 423.44 Controlled substances.
