43 U.S.C. § 2302: Definitions

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. 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; a unit of the National Park System; a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System; a National Forest or National Grassland in the National Forest System; or wilderness under the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); a wilderness study area; a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.); or a component of the National Trails System under the National Trails System Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.). to which there is no public access or egress; or to which public access or egress to the land is significantly restricted, as determined by the Secretary. 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. The term “public land” means public lands (as defined in section 1702 of this title ). The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.