CITE
16 USC Sec. 460m-15 01/08/2008
EXPCITE
TITLE 16 - CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 1 - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
SUBCHAPTER LXXI-A - NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER
HEAD
Sec. 460m-15. Establishment; administration, protection, and
development; utilization of other authorities; boundary
description, availability for public inspection
STATUTE
For the purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding
natural, scenic, and historic values and objects in and around the
New River Gorge and preserving as a free-flowing stream an
important segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit
and enjoyment of present and future generations, the Secretary of
the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary") shall
establish and administer the New River Gorge National River. The
Secretary shall administer, protect, and develop the national river
in accordance with the provisions of sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of
this title, as amended and supplemented; except that any other
statutory authority available to the Secretary for the preservation
and management of natural resources may be utilized to the extent
he finds such authority will further the purposes of this
subchapter. The boundaries of the national river shall be as
generally depicted on the drawing entitled "Proposed New River
Gorge National River" numbered NERI 80,034, dated May 2001, which
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices
of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
SOURCE
(Pub. L. 95-625, title XI, Sec. 1101, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3544;
Pub. L. 100-534, title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 26, 1988, 102 Stat. 2700;
Pub. L. 104-333, div. I, title IV, Sec. 406(a)(1), Nov. 12, 1996,
110 Stat. 4149; Pub. L. 107-356, Sec. 2(a), Dec. 17, 2002, 116
Stat. 3013.)
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Pub. L. 107-356 substituted "NERI 80,034, dated May 2001"
for "NERI-80,028A, dated March 1996".
1996 - Pub. L. 104-333 substituted "NERI-80,028A, dated March
1996" for "NERI-80,023, dated January 1987".
1988 - Pub. L. 100-534 substituted "NERI-80,023, dated January
1987" for "NERI-20,002, dated July 1978".
SHORT TITLE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 107-356, Sec. 1, Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat. 3013, provided
that: "This Act [amending this section and enacting provisions set
out as a note under this section] may be cited as the 'New River
Gorge Boundary Act of 2002'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Section 1 of Pub. L. 100-534 provided that: "This Act [enacting
sections 460m-26 to 460m-29 and 460ww to 460ww-5 of this title,
amending this section and section 1274 of this title, and enacting
provisions set out as notes under this section and section 1274 of
this title] may be cited as the 'West Virginia National Interest
River Conservation Act of 1987'."
LAND EXCHANGE
Pub. L. 107-356, Sec. 2(b), Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat. 3013,
provided that:
"(1) In general. - The Secretary of the Interior shall complete a
fee simple land exchange in the vicinity of Beauty Mountain,
Fayette County, West Virginia, to acquire a tract of land
identified as NERI Tract Number 150-07 that lies adjacent to the
boundary of the New River Gorge National River in exchange for a
tract of land identified as NERI Tract Number 150-08 located within
such boundary.
"(2) Treatment of exchanged lands. - Upon the completion of such
land exchange -
"(A) the land acquired by the United States in the exchange
shall be included in the boundaries, and administered as part, of
the New River Gorge National River; and
"(B) the land conveyed by the United States in the exchange
shall be excluded from the boundaries, and shall not be
administered as part, of the New River Gorge National River."
NEW, GAULEY, MEADOW, AND BLUESTONE RIVERS; CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS
AND PURPOSE
Section 2 of Pub. L. 100-534 provided that:
"(a) Findings. - The Congress finds that -
"(1) The outstanding natural, scenic, cultural and recreational
values of the segment of the New River in West Virginia within
the boundaries of the New River Gorge National River have been
preserved and enhanced by its inclusion in the National Park
System.
"(2) The establishment of the New River Gorge National River
has provided the basis for increased recreation and tourism
activities in southern West Virginia due to its nationally
recognized status and has greatly contributed to the regional
economy.
"(3) Certain boundary modifications to the New River Gorge
National River are necessary to further protect the scenic
resources within the river's visual corridor and to provide for
better management of the national park unit.
"(4) Several tributaries of the New River in West Virginia also
possess remarkable and outstanding features of national
significance. The segment of the Gauley River below Summersville
Dam has gained national recognition as a premier whitewater
recreation resource. The lower section of the Bluestone River and
the lower section of the Meadow River possess remarkable and
outstanding natural, scenic, and recreational values due to their
predominantly undeveloped condition.
"(5) Portions of several of the New River tributaries,
including segments of the Gauley River, the Meadow River, and the
Bluestone River are suitable for inclusion in the National Park
System or the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
"(6) It is in the national interest to preserve the natural
condition of certain segments of the New, Gauley, Meadow, and
Bluestone Rivers in West Virginia and to enhance recreational
opportunities available on the free-flowing segments.
"(b) Purpose. - The purpose of this Act [see Short Title of 1988
Amendment note above] is to provide for the protection and
enhancement of the natural, scenic, cultural, and recreational
values on certain free-flowing segments of the New, Gauley, Meadow,
and Bluestone Rivers in the State of West Virginia for the benefit
and enjoyment of present and future generations."
COORDINATION AMONG RECREATIONAL RESOURCES
Section 401 of Pub. L. 100-534 provided that: "Subject to
existing authority, the Secretary of the Interior shall cooperate
with, and assist, any regional authority comprised of
representatives of West Virginia State authorities and local
government authorities in or any combination of the foregoing
Nicholas, Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, Greenbrier, and Mercer
Counties, West Virginia, for the purposes of providing for
coordinated development and promotion of recreation resources of
regional or national significance which are located in southern
West Virginia and management by State or Federal agencies,
including State, local and National Park System units, State and
National Forest System units, and historic sites."
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Section 402 of Pub. L. 100-534 provided that: "Subject to his
responsibilities to protect the natural resources of the National
Park System, the Secretary of the Interior shall enter into a
cooperative agreement with the State of West Virginia providing for
the State's regulation, in accordance with State law, of persons
providing commercial recreational watercraft services on units of
the National Park System and components of the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System subject to this Act [see Short Title of 1988
Amendment note above]."
CONSOLIDATED MANAGEMENT
Section 404 of Pub. L. 100-534 provided that: "In order to
achieve the maximum economy and efficiency of operations in the
administration of the National Park System units established or
expanded pursuant to this Act [see Short Title of 1988 Amendment
note above], the Secretary shall consolidate offices and personnel
administering all such units to the extent practicable and shall
utilize the existing facilities of the New River Gorge National
River to the extent practicable."
NEW SPENDING AUTHORITY
Section 405 of Pub. L. 100-534 provided that: "Any new spending
authority which is provided under this Act [see Short Title of 1988
Amendment note above] shall be effective for any fiscal year only
to the extent or in such amounts as provided in appropriation
Acts."