54 U.S.C. § 200101 — Findings and declaration of policy

Page 79 TITLE 54—NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND RELATED PROGRAMS § 200101 1 So in original. Does not conform to section catchline and probably should be followed by a period. (2) prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that in- cludes recommendations for the continued role of the Service with respect to each Na- tional Heritage Area in accordance with sub- section (c). (b) COMPONENTS.—An evaluation under sub- section (a)(1) shall— (1) assess the progress of the applicable local coordinating entity of a National Heritage Area with respect to— (A) accomplishing the purposes of the ap- plicable National Heritage Area; and (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the management plan; (2) analyze Federal, State, local, Tribal gov- ernment, and private investments in the Na- tional Heritage Area to determine the lever- age and impact of the investments; and (3) review the management structure, part- nership relationships, and funding of the Na- tional Heritage Area for purposes of identi- fying the critical components for sustain- ability of the National Heritage Area. (c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Each report under sub- section (a)(2) shall include— (1) if the report contains a recommendation of the Secretary that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be continued, an analysis of— (A) any means by which that Federal fund- ing may be reduced or eliminated over time; and (B) the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the recommended reduction or elimination of Federal funding; or (2) if the report contains a recommendation of the Secretary that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be eliminated, a description of potential impacts on conservation, interpretation, and sustain- ability in the applicable National Heritage Area. (Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6161.) Subtitle II—Outdoor Recreation Programs CHAPTER 2001—COORDINATION OF PROGRAMS Sec. 200101. Findings and declaration of policy. 200102. Definitions. 200103. Authority of Secretary to carry out certain functions and activities. 200104. Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation 1 Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2025—Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 113(c), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2841, added item 200104 and struck out former item 200104 ‘‘Consultations of Secretary with adminis- trative officers; execution of administrative respon- sibilities in conformity with nationwide plan’’. § 200101. Findings and declaration of policy Congress finds and declares it is desirable— (1) that all American people of present and future generations be assured adequate out- door recreation resources; and (2) for all levels of government and private interests to take prompt and coordinated ac- tion to the extent practicable without dimin- ishing or affecting their respective powers and functions to conserve, develop, and utilize those resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people. (Pub. L. 113–287, § 3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3169.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 200101 ......... 16 U.S.C. 460l. Pub. L. 88–29, § 1, May 28, 1963, 77 Stat. 49. Executive Documents A 21ST CENTURY STRATEGY FOR AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 16, 2010, 75 F.R. 20767, provided: Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior[,] the Secretary of Agriculture[,] the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency[, and] the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality Americans are blessed with a vast and varied natural heritage. From mountains to deserts and from sea to shining sea, America’s great outdoors have shaped the rugged independence and sense of community that de- fine the American spirit. Our working landscapes, cul- tural sites, parks, coasts, wild lands, rivers, and streams are gifts that we have inherited from previous generations. They are the places that offer us refuge from daily demands, renew our spirits, and enhance our fondest memories, whether they are fishing with a grandchild in a favorite spot, hiking a trail with a friend, or enjoying a family picnic in a neighborhood park. They also are our farms, ranches, and forests— the working lands that have fed and sustained us for generations. Americans take pride in these places, and share a responsibility to preserve them for our children and grandchildren. Today, however, we are losing touch with too many of the places and proud traditions that have helped to make America special. Farms, ranches, forests, and other valuable natural resources are disappearing at an alarming rate. Families are spending less time together enjoying their natural surroundings. Despite our con- servation efforts, too many of our fields are becoming fragmented, too many of our rivers and streams are be- coming polluted, and we are losing our connection to the parks, wild places, and open spaces we grew up with and cherish. Children, especially, are spending less time outside running and playing, fishing and hunting, and connecting to the outdoors just down the street or outside of town. Across America, communities are uniting to protect the places they love, and developing new approaches to saving and enjoying the outdoors. They are bringing to- gether farmers and ranchers, land trusts, recreation and conservation groups, sportsmen, community park groups, governments and industry, and people from all over the country to develop new partnerships and inno- vative programs to protect and restore our outdoors legacy. However, these efforts are often scattered and sometimes insufficient. The Federal Government, the Nation’s largest land manager, has a responsibility to Page 80 TITLE 54—NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND RELATED PROGRAMS § 200102 engage with these partners to help develop a conserva- tion agenda worthy of the 21st Century. We must look to the private sector and nonprofit organizations, as well as towns, cities, and States, and the people who live and work in them, to identify the places that mean the most to Americans, and leverage the support of the Federal Government to help these community-driven efforts to succeed. Through these partnerships, we will work to connect these outdoor spaces to each other, and to reconnect Americans to them. For these reasons, it is hereby ordered as follows: SECTION 1. Establishment. (a) There is established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (Initiative), to be led by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and imple- mented in coordination with the agencies listed in sec- tion 2(b) of this memorandum. The Initiative may in- clude the heads of other executive branch departments, agencies, and offices (agencies) as the President may, from time to time, designate. (b) The goals of the Initiative shall be to: (i) Reconnect Americans, especially children, to America’s rivers and waterways, landscapes of national significance, ranches, farms and forests, great parks, and coasts and beaches by exploring a variety of ef- forts, including: (A) promoting community-based recreation and conservation, including local parks, greenways, beaches, and waterways; (B) advancing job and volunteer opportunities re- lated to conservation and outdoor recreation; and (C) supporting existing programs and projects that educate and engage Americans in our history, cul- ture, and natural bounty. (ii) Build upon State, local, private, and tribal prior- ities for the conservation of land, water, wildlife, his- toric, and cultural resources, creating corridors and connectivity across these outdoor spaces, and for en- hancing neighborhood parks; and determine how the Federal Government can best advance those priorities through public private partnerships and locally sup- ported conservation strategies. (iii) Use science-based management practices to re- store and protect our lands and waters for future gen- erations. SEC. 2. Functions. The functions of the Initiative shall include: (a) Outreach. The Initiative shall conduct listening and learning sessions around the country where land and waters are being conserved and community parks are being established in innovative ways. These ses- sions should engage the full range of interested groups, including tribal leaders, farmers and ranchers, sports- men, community park groups, foresters, youth groups, businesspeople, educators, State and local govern- ments, and recreation and conservation groups. Special attention should be given to bringing young Americans into the conversation. These listening sessions will in- form the reports required in subsection (c) of this sec- tion. (b) Interagency Coordination. The following agencies shall work with the Initiative to identify existing re- sources and align policies and programs to achieve its goals: (i) the Department of Defense; (ii) the Department of Commerce; (iii) the Department of Housing and Urban Develop- ment; (iv) the Department of Health and Human Services; (v) the Department of Labor; (vi) the Department of Transportation; (vii) the Department of Education; and (viii) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). (c) Reports. The Initiative shall submit, through the Chair of the CEQ, the following reports to the Presi- dent: (i) Report on America’s Great Outdoors. By Novem- ber 15, 2010, the Initiative shall submit a report that in- cludes the following: (A) a review of successful and promising nonfederal conservation approaches; (B) an analysis of existing Federal resources and programs that could be used to complement those ap- proaches; (C) proposed strategies and activities to achieve the goals of the Initiative; and (D) an action plan to meet the goals of the Initia- tive. The report should reflect the constraints in resources available in, and be consistent with, the Federal budg- et. It should recommend efficient and effective use of existing resources, as well as opportunities to leverage nonfederal public and private resources and nontradi- tional conservation programs. (ii) Annual reports. By September 30, 2011, and Sep- tember 30, 2012, the Initiative shall submit reports on its progress in implementing the action plan developed pursuant to subsection (c)(i)(D) of this section. SEC. 3. General Provisions. (a) This memorandum shall be implemented con- sistent with applicable law and subject to the avail- ability of any necessary appropriations. (b) This memorandum does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employ- ees, or agents, or any other person. (c) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall assist and provide information to the Initiative, consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Initiative. Each execu- tive department and agency shall bear its own expenses of participating in the Initiative. (d) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the functions of the Direc- tor of the OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (e) The Chair of the CEQ is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register. BARACK OBAMA. § 200102. Definitions As used in this chapter: (1) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation established under section 200104. (2) FEDERAL LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Federal land and water management agency’’ means the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bu- reau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- tration. (3) FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS AND WA- TERS.—The term ‘‘Federal recreational lands and waters’’ has the meaning given the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) and also in- cludes Federal lands and waters managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Corps of Engi- neers, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’, to the extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary, includes Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. (5) UNITED STATES.—The term ‘‘United States’’— (A) includes the District of Columbia; and (B) to the extent practicable, as deter- mined by the Secretary, includes Puerto