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.

Terms Used In 43 USC 2302

  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7