§ 545a. — Establishment of Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC545a]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 2--NATIONAL FORESTS
SUBCHAPTER II--SCENIC AREAS
Sec. 545a. Establishment of Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area
(a) In general
(1) Establishment
There is hereby established in the George Washington National
Forest, Virginia, the Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area (in this
section referred to as the ``scenic area'').
(2) Lands included in scenic area
The scenic area shall consist of certain lands in the George
Washington National Forest, Virginia, which comprise approximately
seven thousand five hundred and eighty acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled ``Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area--Proposed'',
dated June 21, 1993.
(3) Maps and descriptions
As soon as practicable after August 26, 1994, the Secretary
shall file a map and boundary description of the scenic area with
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives.
The map and description shall have the same force and effect as if
included in sections 545 and 545a of this title, except that the
Secretary is authorized to correct clerical and typographical errors
in such boundary description and map. Such map and boundary
description shall be on file and available for public inspection in
the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service, Department of
Agriculture. In the case of any discrepancy between the acreage and
the map described in paragraph (2), the map shall control.
(b) Administration
(1) In general
The Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the
``Secretary'') shall administer the scenic area in accordance with
sections 545 and 545a of this title and the laws and regulations
generally applicable to the National Forest System. In the event of
conflict between sections 545 and 545a of this title and other laws
and regulations, sections 545 and 545a of this title shall take
precedence.
(2) Management plan
Within three years after August 26, 1994, the Secretary shall
develop a management plan for the scenic area as an amendment to the
Land and Resource Management Plan for the George Washington National
Forest. Such an amendment shall conform to the provisions of
sections 545 and 545a of this title. Nothing in sections 545 and
545a of this title shall require the Secretary to revise the Land
and Resource Management Plan for the George Washington National
Forest pursuant to section 1604 of this title.
(c) Roads
After August 26, 1994, no new permanent roads shall be constructed
within the scenic area, except that this prohibition shall not be
construed to deny access to private lands or interests therein in the
scenic area.
(d) Vegetation management
No timber harvest shall be allowed within the scenic area, except as
may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases and to
provide for public safety and trail access. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices
for maintenance of existing wildlife clearings and visual quality.
Firewood may be harvested for personal use along perimeter roads under
such conditions as the Secretary may impose.
(e) Motorized travel
(1) Authorized routes
Motorized travel in the scenic area shall be allowed on State
Route 635. Subject to such conditions as the Secretary may impose,
motorized travel in the scenic area shall also be allowed on Forest
Development Road 51.
(2) Other areas
Other than as provided in paragraph (1), motorized travel shall
not be permitted within the scenic area, except that the Secretary
may authorize motorized travel within the scenic area as necessary
for administrative use in furtherance of the purposes of sections
545 and 545a of this title and on temporary routes in support of
wildlife management projects.
(f) Fire
Wildfires shall be suppressed in a manner consistent with the
purposes of sections 545 and 545a of this title, using such means as the
Secretary considers appropriate.
(g) Insects and disease
Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled in the scenic area to
maintain scenic quality, prevent tree mortality, reduce hazards to
visitors, or protect private lands.
(h) Water
The scenic area shall be administered so as to maintain or enhance
existing water quality.
(i) Mining withdrawal
Subject to valid existing rights, all federally owned lands in the
scenic area are hereby withdrawn from location, entry, and patent under
the mining laws of the United States and from leasing claims under the
mineral and geothermal leasing laws of the United States, including
amendments to such laws.
(Pub. L. 103-314, Sec. 3, Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1703; Pub. L. 104-
127, title IX, Sec. 915, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1187.)
References in Text
The mining laws and the mineral leasing laws of the United States,
referred to in subsec. (i), are classified generally to Title 30,
Mineral Lands and Mining.
The geothermal leasing laws of the United States, referred to in
subsec. (i), are classified principally to chapter 23 (Sec. 1001 et
seq.) of Title 30.
Amendments
1996--Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104-127 substituted ``Mount Pleasant
National Scenic Area'' for ``George Washington National Forest Mount
Pleasant Scenic Area''.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 545 of this title.
