16 USC 545b - Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 22, 2025

§ 545b.

Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Bull of the Woods Wilderness

(2)

Opal Creek Wilderness

(3)

Scenic Recreation Area

(4)

Secretary

(b)

Purposes

The purposes of this section are—

(1)

to establish a wilderness and scenic recreation area to protect and provide for the enhancement of the natural, scenic, recreational, historic and cultural resources of the area in the vicinity of Opal Creek;

(2)

to protect and support the economy of the communities of the Santiam Canyon; and

(3)

to provide increased protection for an important drinking water source for communities served by the North Santiam River.

(c)

Establishment

(1)

Establishment

On a determination by the Secretary under paragraph (2)—

(A)

the Opal Creek Wilderness, as depicted on the map described in subsection (a)(2), is hereby designated as wilderness, subject to the provisions of the Wilderness Act [16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.], shall become a component of the National Wilderness System, and shall be known as the Opal Creek Wilderness;

(B)

the part of the Bull of the Woods Wilderness that is located in the Willamette National Forest shall be incorporated into the Opal Creek Wilderness; and

(C)

the Secretary shall establish the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area in the Willamette National Forest in the State of Oregon, comprising approximately 13,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map described in subsection (a)(3).

(2)

Conditions

The designations in paragraph (1) shall not take effect unless the Secretary makes a determination, not later than 2 years after November 12, 1996, that the following conditions have been met:

(A)

the following have been donated to the United States in an acceptable condition and without encumbrances:

(i)

all right, title, and interest in the following patented parcels of land—

(I)

Santiam Number 1, mineral survey number 992, as described in patent number 39–92–0002, dated December 11, 1991;

(II)

Ruth Quartz Mine Number 2, mineral survey number 994, as described in patent number 39–91–0012, dated February 12, 1991;

(III)

Morning Star Lode, mineral survey number 993, as described in patent number 36–91–0011, dated February 12, 1991;

(ii)

all right, title, and interest held by any entity other than the Times Mirror Land and Timber Company, its successors and assigns, in and to lands located in section 18, township 8 south, range 5 east, Marion County, Oregon, Eureka numbers 6, 7, 8, and 13 mining claims; and

(iii)

an easement across the Hewitt, Starvation, and Poor Boy Mill Sites, mineral survey number 990, as described in patent number 36–91–0017, dated May 9, 1991. In the sole discretion of the Secretary, such easement may be limited to administrative use if an alternative access route, adequate and appropriate for public use, is provided.

(B)

a binding agreement has been executed by the Secretary and the owners of record as of March 29, 1996, of the following interests, specifying the terms and conditions for the disposition of such interests to the United States Government—

(i)

The lode mining claims known as Princess Lode, Black Prince Lode, and King Number 4 Lode, embracing portions of sections 29 and 32, township 8 south, range 5 east, Willamette Meridian, Marion County, Oregon, the claims being more particularly described in the field notes and depicted on the plat of mineral survey number 887, Oregon; and

(ii)

Ruth Quartz Mine Number 1, mineral survey number 994, as described in patent number 39–91–0012, dated February 12, 1991.

(3)

Additions to the wilderness and scenic recreation areas

(A)

Lands or interests in lands conveyed to the United States under this subsection shall be included in and become part of, as appropriate, Opal Creek Wilderness or the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area.

(B)

On acquiring all or substantially all of the land located in section 36, township 8 south, range 4 east, of the Willamette Meridian, Marion County, Oregon, commonly known as the Rosboro section by exchange, purchase from a willing seller, or by donation, the Secretary shall expand the boundary of the Scenic Recreation Area to include such land.

(C)

On acquiring all or substantially all of the land located in section 18, township 8 south, range 5 east, Marion County, Oregon, commonly known as the Time Mirror property, by exchange, purchase from a willing seller, or by donation, such land shall be included in and become a part of the Opal Creek Wilderness.

(d)

Administration

(1)

In general

(2)

Opal Creek Management Plan

(A)

In general

(B)

Incorporation in land and resource management

(C)

Requirements

The Opal Creek Management Plan shall provide for a broad range of land uses, including—

(i)

recreation;

(ii)

harvesting of nontraditional forest products, such as gathering mushrooms and material to make baskets; and

(iii)

educational and research opportunities.

(D)

Plan amendments

(3)

Cultural and historic resource inventory

(A)

In general

(B)

Interpretation

(4)

Transportation planning

(A)

 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.

In general

Except as provided in this subparagraph, motorized vehicles shall not be permitted in the Scenic Recreation Area. To maintain reasonable motorized and other access to recreation sites and facilities in existence on November 12, 1996, the Secretary shall prepare a transportation plan for the Scenic Recreation Area that—

(i)

evaluates the road network within the Scenic Recreation Area to determine which roads should be retained and which roads should be closed;

(ii)

provides guidelines for transportation and access consistent with this section;

(iii)

considers the access needs of persons with disabilities in preparing the transportation plan for the Scenic Recreation Area;

(iv)

allows forest road 2209 beyond the gate to the Scenic Recreation Area, as depicted on the map described in subsection (a)(2), to be used by motorized vehicles only for administrative purposes and for access by private inholders, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may determine to be necessary; and

(v)

restricts construction or improvement of forest road 2209 beyond the gate to the Scenic Recreation Area to maintaining the character of the road as it existed upon November 12, 1996, which shall not include paving or widening.

In order to comply with subsection (f)(2), the Secretary may make improvements to forest road 2209 and its bridge structures consistent with the character of the road as it existed on November 12, 1996.

(5)

Hunting and fishing

(A)

In general

(B)

Limitation

(C)

Consultation

(6)

Timber cutting

(A)

In general

(B)

Permitted cutting

(i)

In general

Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may allow the cutting of trees in the Scenic Recreation Area only—

(I)

for public safety, such as to control the continued spread of a forest fire in the Scenic Recreation Area or on land adjacent to the Scenic Recreation Area;

(II)

for activities related to administration of the Scenic Recreation Area, consistent with the Opal Creek Management Plan; or

(III)

for removal of hazard trees along trails and roadways.

(ii)

Salvage sales

(7)

Withdrawal

(A)

 ¹ subject 2

 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

to valid existing rights, all lands in the Scenic Recreation Area are withdrawn from—

(i)

any form of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public lands laws;

(ii)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(iii)

disposition under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws.

(8)

Bornite Project

(A)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with or approve any exploration, mining, or mining-related activity in the Bornite Project Area, depicted on the map described in subsection (a)(3), conducted in accordance with applicable laws.

(B)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with the ability of the Secretary to approve and issue, or deny, special use permits in connection with exploration, mining, and mining-related activities in the Bornite Project Area.

(C)

Motorized vehicles, roads, structures, and utilities (including but not limited to power lines and water lines) may be allowed inside the Scenic Recreation Area to serve the activities conducted on land within the Bornite Project.

(D)

After November 12, 1996, no patent shall be issued for any mining claim under the general mining laws located within the Bornite Project Area.

(9)

Water impoundments

(10)

Recreations

(A)

Recognition

(B)

Minimum levels

(C)

Higher levels

(D)

Public trail access

(11)

Participation

So that the knowledge, expertise, and views of all agencies and groups may contribute affirmatively to the most sensitive present and future use of the Scenic Recreation Area and its various subareas for the benefit of the public:

(A)

Advisory council

(B)

Public participation

(C)

Other agencies

(D)

Nonprofit agencies and organizations

(e)

Advisory council

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Membership

The advisory council shall consist of not more than 13 members, of whom—

(A)

1 member shall represent Marion County, Oregon, and shall be designated by the governing body of the county;

(B)

1 member shall represent the State of Oregon and shall be designated by the Governor of Oregon;

(C)

1 member shall represent the City of Salem, and shall be designated by the mayor of Salem, Oregon;

(D)

1 member from a city within a 25-mile radius of the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area, to be designated by the Governor of the State of Oregon from a list of candidates provided by the mayors of the cities located within a 25-mile radius of the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area; and

(E)

not more than 9 members shall be appointed by the Secretary from among persons who, individually or through association with a national or local organization, have an interest in the administration of the Scenic Recreation Area, including, but not limited to, representatives of the timber industry, environmental organizations, the mining industry, inholders in the Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area, economic development interests and Indian tribes.

(3)

Staggered terms

(4)

Chairman

(5)

Vacancies

(6)

Compensation

(f)

General provisions

(1)

Land acquisition

(A)

In general

(B)

Public land

(C)

Condemnation

Within the boundaries of the Opal Creek Wilderness or the Scenic Recreation Area, the Secretary may not acquire any privately owned land or interest in land without the consent of the owner unless the Secretary finds that—

(i)

the nature of land use has changed significantly, or the landowner has demonstrated intent to change the land use significantly, from the use that existed on November 12, 1996; and

(ii)

acquisition by the Secretary of the land or interest in land is essential to ensure use of the land or interest in land in accordance with the purposes of this title 3

 So in original. Probably should be “section”.

or the management plan prepared under subsection (d)(2).

(D)

Construction

(2)

Environmental response actions and cost recovery

(A)

Response actions

(B)

Liability

(3)

Maps and description

(A)

In general

(B)

Force and effect

(C)

Availability

(4)

Savings provision

(g)

Rosboro land exchange

(1)

Authorization

(2)

Land to be offered by Rosboro

(3)

Land to be conveyed by the United States

The land referred to in paragraph (1) as the land to be conveyed by the United States shall comprise sufficient land from the following prioritized list to be equal value under paragraph (4):

(A)

Section 5, Township 17 South, Range 4 East, Lot 7 (37.63 acres);

(B)

Section 2, Township 17 South, Range 4 East, Lot 3 (29.28 acres);

(C)

Section 13, Township 17 South, Range 4 East, S½SE¼ (80 acres);

(D)

Section 2, Township 17 South, Range 4 East, SW¼SW¼ (40 acres);

(E)

Section 2, Township 17 South, Range 4 East, NW¼SE¼ (40 acres);

(F)

Section 8, Township 17 South, Range 4 East, SE¼SW¼ (40 acres);

(G)

Section 11, Township 17 South, Range 4 East, W½NW¼ (80 acres); 4

 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a period.

(4)

Equal value

(5)

Timetable

(A)

The exchange directed by this subsection shall be consummated not later than 120 days after the date Rosboro offers and conveys the property described in paragraph (2) to the United States.

(B)

The authority provided by this subsection shall lapse of 5

 So in original. Probably should be “if”.

Rosboro fails to offer the land described in paragraph (2) within 2 years after November 12, 1996.

(6)

Challenge

(7)

Authorization of appropriations

(h)

Omitted

(i)

Economic development

(1)

Economic development plan

(2)

Funds provided to the States for grants

(3)

Report

The State of Oregon shall—

(A)

prepare and provide the Secretary and Congress with an annual report on the use of the funds made available under this subsection;

(B)

make available to the Secretary and to Congress, upon request, all accounts, financial records, and other information related to grants and loans made available pursuant to this subsection; and

(C)

as loans are repaid, make additional grants and loans with the money made available for obligation by such repayments.

(Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title X, § 1023, Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4215; Pub. L. 106–176, title I, § 125, Mar. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 30.)

cite as: 16 USC 545b