Volume 80 · 191
Public Law 89–438
To establish the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, and for other purposes.
Approved May 31, 1966
Statutory text
AN ACT
To establish the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That, in order to provide for the public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the area in the vicinity of Mount Rogers, the highest mountain in the State of Virginia, and to the extent feasible the conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values of the area, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in the Jefferson National Forest, in the State of Virginia.
Sec. 2.
The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter called the “Secretary”) shall—
designate as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area within and adjacent to, and as a part of, the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia comprised of the area the boundaries of which shall be those shown on the map entitled “Proposed Mount Rogers National Recreation Area”, dated 1965, which is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; and
publish notice of the designation in the Federal Register, together with a map showing the boundaries of the recreation area.
Sec. 3.
The Secretary shall acquire by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, by gift, exchange, condemnation, transfer from any Federal agency, or otherwise, such lands, waters, or interests therein, including scenic or other easements within the boundaries of the recreation area as he determines to be needed or desirable for the purposes of this Act. Lands, waters, or interests therein owned by the State of Virginia or any political subdivision of that State may be acquired only with the concurrence of such owner.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any Federal property located within the boundaries of the recreation area may, with the concurrence of the agency having custody thereof, be transferred without consideration to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for use by him in implementing the purposes of this Act.
In exercising his authority to acquire lands by exchange the Secretary may accept title to non-Federal property within the recreation area and convey to the grantor of such property any federally owned property in the State of Virginia under his jurisdiction.
Sec. 4.
After the Secretary acquires an acreage within the area
Outdoor recreation facilities.
designated pursuant to section 2 of this Act that is in his opinion efficiently administrable to carry out the purposes of this Act, he shall institute an accelerated program of development of facilities for outdoor recreation. Said facilities shall be so devised to take advantage of the topography and geographical location of the lands in relation to the growing recreation needs of the people of the United States.
The Secretary may cooperate with all Federal and State authorities and agencies that have programs which will hasten completion of the recreation area and render services which will aid him in evaluating and effectuating the establishment of adequate summer and winter outdoor recreation facilities.
Sec. 5.
The administration, protection, and development of the recreation
Administration, etc. of area.
area shall be by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to national forests, in such manner as in his judgment will best provide for (1) public outdoor recreation benefits: (2) conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to public enjoyment; and (3) such management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources as in his judgment will promote, or is compatible with, and does not significantly impair the purposes for which the recreation area is established.
Sec. 6.
The Secretary shall permit hunting and fishing on lands
Hunting and fishing.
and waters under his jurisdiction within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws. The Secretary may designate zones where, and establish periods when, no hunting shall be permitted for reasons of public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment, and shall issue regulations after consultation with the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries of the State of Virginia.
Approved May 31, 1966.