16 U.S.C. § 460ffff: Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, California

Subject to valid existing rights, there is established in Inyo County, California, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, to be comprised of the approximately 18,610 acres generally depicted on the Map as “National Scenic Area”. The purpose of the Scenic Area is to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future generations the nationally significant scenic, cultural, geological, educational, biological, historical, recreational, cinematographic, and scientific resources of the Scenic Area managed consistent with section 302(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1732(a) ). the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. The map and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this subchapter, except that the Secretary may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal descriptions. Each map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. as a component of the National Landscape Conservation System; so as not to impact the future continuing operation and maintenance of any activities associated with valid, existing rights, including water rights; in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources and values of the Scenic Area described in subsection (b); and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); this subchapter; and any other applicable laws. The Secretary shall allow only such uses of the Scenic Area as the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the Scenic Area as described in subsection (b). Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter or other applicable law, or as the Secretary determines to be necessary for public health and safety, the Secretary shall allow existing recreational uses of the Scenic Area to continue, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, sightseeing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and appropriate authorized motorized vehicle use in accordance with paragraph (3). roads and trails designated by the Secretary for use of motorized vehicles as part of a management plan sustaining a semiprimitive motorized experience; or county-maintained roads in accordance with applicable State and county laws. Nothing in this subchapter creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Scenic Area. The fact that an activity or use on land outside the Scenic Area can be seen or heard within the Scenic Area shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundaries of the Scenic Area. The Secretary shall provide private landowners adequate access to inholdings in the Scenic Area. such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers to be necessary; and applicable law; and in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b). Nothing in this subchapter affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with respect to fish and wildlife. such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers to be necessary; and applicable law; and in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b). entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies, as appropriate, from conducting wildland fire operations in the Scenic Area, consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b). The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with, State, Tribal, and local governmental entities and private entities to conduct research, interpretation, or public education or to carry out any other initiative relating to the restoration, conservation, or management of the Scenic Area. affects the existence, use, operation, maintenance (including vegetation control), repair, construction, reconfiguration, expansion, inspection, renewal, reconstruction, alteration, addition, relocation, improvement, funding, removal, or replacement of any utility facility or appurtenant right-of-way within or adjacent to the Scenic Area; subject to subsection (e), affects necessary or efficient access to utility facilities or rights-of-way within or adjacent to the Scenic Area; and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any other applicable law; subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and that are determined by the Secretary to be the only technical or feasible location, following consideration of alternatives within existing rights-of-way or outside of the Scenic Area. Consistent with this subchapter, the Management Plan shall establish provisions for maintenance of public utility and other rights-of-way within the Scenic Area.