republic-os/legal/us/code/title-43/chapter-41/section-2302.md

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LegalText	43 U.S.C. § 2302	Definitions	us	united_states_code	code_section	43	PUBLIC LANDS	41	FEDERAL LAND TRANSACTION FACILITATION	2302	43 U.S.C. § 2302	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc43@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t43/s2302	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-43/usc43.xml	d45a45798f38d379d8cd535685c8428c0d0c2152fba9f2f81cfc3e72d4fe7c12	d46a16361aa9d10bbc4b27ea0561882d240801c965a2700a4b7cf5f02f552a5f	b46ec5a3608a7888fb5bf45aa00b18ecbb682f2587a8b2b5f1a275e612926ed7	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

43 U.S.C. § 2302 - Definitions

Text

In this chapter:

(1) Exceptional resource The term “exceptional resource” means a resource of scientific, natural, historic, cultural, recreational access and use, or other recreational value that has been documented by a Federal, State, or local governmental authority, and for which there is a compelling need for conservation and protection under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency in order to maintain the resource for the benefit of the public.

(2) Federally designated area The term “federally designated area” means land in Alaska and the eleven contiguous Western States (as defined in section 1702(o) of this title) that is within the boundary of—

(A) a national monument, area of critical environmental concern, national conservation area, national riparian conservation area, national recreation area, national scenic area, research natural area, national outstanding natural area, priority species and habitats designated in a land use plan in accordance with subpart E (entitled “Fish and Wildlife”) of part I of Appendix C of Bureau of Land Management Land Use Planning Handbook H-1601-1 (Rel 1-1693), a special recreation management area, or a national natural landmark managed by the Bureau of Land Management;

(B) a unit of the National Park System;

(C) a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System;

(D) a National Forest or National Grassland in the National Forest System; or

(E) an area within which the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture is otherwise authorized by law to acquire lands or interests therein that is designated as—

(i) wilderness under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.);

(ii) a wilderness study area;

(iii) a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.); or

(iv) a component of the National Trails System under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.).

(3) Inaccessible lands that are open to public hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, or other recreational purposes The term “inaccessible lands that are open to public hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, or other recreational purposes” means public lands in Alaska and the eleven contiguous Western States (as defined in section 1702 of this title) consisting of at least 640 contiguous acres on which the public is allowed under Federal or State law to hunt, fish, target shoot or use the land for other recreational purposes but—

(A) to which there is no public access or egress; or

(B) to which public access or egress to the land is significantly restricted, as determined by the Secretary.

(4) Inholding The term “inholding” means any right, title, or interest, held by a non-Federal entity, in or to a tract of land that lies within the boundary of a federally designated area.

(5) Public land The term “public land” means public lands (as defined in section 1702 of this title).

(6) Secretary The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(Pub. L. 106–248, title II, § 203, July 25, 2000, 114 Stat. 614; Pub. L. 115–141, div. O, title III, § 302(1)–(3), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1074, 1075.)

Notes

Editorial Notes

References in TextThe Wilderness Act, referred to in par. (2)(E)(i), is Pub. L. 88–577, Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 890, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§ 1131 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1131 of Title 16 and Tables. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, referred to in par. (2)(E)(iii), is Pub. L. 90–542, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 906, which is classified generally to chapter 28 (§ 1271 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1271 of Title 16 and Tables. The National Trails System Act, referred to in par. (2)(E)(iv), is Pub. L. 90–543, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 919, which is classified generally to chapter 27 (§ 1241 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1241 of Title 16 and Tables.

Amendments2018—Par. (1). Pub. L. 115–141, § 302(1), substituted “cultural, recreational access and use, or other” for “cultural, or”. Par. (2). Pub. L. 115–141, § 302(2)(A), substituted “is within” for “on July 25, 2000, was within” in introductory provisions. Par. (2)(A). Pub. L. 115–141, § 302(2)(B), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “a national monument, area of critical environmental concern, national conservation area, national riparian conservation area, national recreation area, national scenic area, research natural area, national outstanding natural area, or a national natural landmark managed by the Bureau of Land Management;”. Par. (2)(D). Pub. L. 115–141, § 302(2)(C), amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D) read as follows: “an area of the National Forest System designated for special management by an Act of Congress; or”. Pars. (3) to (6). Pub. L. 115–141, § 302(3), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (5) as (4) to (6), respectively.