
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC460m-15]

 
                         TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
 
   CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
 
            SUBCHAPTER LXXI-A--NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER
 
Sec. 460m-15. Establishment; administration, protection, and 
        development; utilization of other authorities; boundary 
        description, availability for public inspection
        
    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-80,028A, dated March 1996, which shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the offices of the National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior.

(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.)


                               Amendments

    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 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'.''


 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.''
