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Effective Date: 9/11/72

Series: Water and Land Resources

Part 711: Wilderness Preservation

Chapter 1: Review of Roadless Areas/Islands Under the Wilderness Act

Originating Office: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to assign responsibility, establish procedures, and provide for coordination of reviews of roadless areas and roadless islands under the Act of September 3, 1964 (78 Stat. 890; 16 U.S.C. 1131-1136), hereafter referred to as the Act, and regulations pertaining thereto (43 CFR Part 19).

1.2 Policy and Procedure. Certain policies and practices with respect to wilderness preservation are set forth in 43 CFR, Part 19. Final action within the Office of the Secretary on recommendations of bureaus and other recommendations concerning the suitability or nonsuitability of roadless areas and roadless islands for preservation as wilderness involves interrelationships between program areas and departments and is considered of major policy significance. Accordingly, proposed recommendations to the President under the Act shall be forwarded to the Secretary for approval.

1.3 Program Responsibility. The Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks is assigned primary responsibility for the functions associated with this program. These functions will be performed in accordance with the general program delegation of authority provided in 210 DM 1.2.

1.4 Reviews within the National Park System.

A. The National Park Service shall perform such work as is necessary to:

(1) Review every roadless area of 5,000 contiguous acres or more that was in the National Park System on September 3, 1964.

(2) Submit a report of such review and proposed recommendation as to suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as wilderness.

(3) Facilitate issuance of public information prior to public hearings and the reconsideration of the suitability or nonsuitability of the areas for preservation as wilderness after public views and the views of State and local officials have been received.

(4) Submit proposed recommendations for transmittal to the President.

B. Each report of review shall identify any roadless area of 5,000 contiguous acres or more which is considered not suitable for preservation as wilderness because of future requirements for historic preservation, interpretation, rights-of-way, use facilities, administrative installations, or other resource use of nonwilderness nature.

1.5 Reviews within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

A. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife shall perform such work as is necessary to:

(1) Review every roadless area of 5,000 contiguous acres or more and every roadless island regardless of size that was in a national wildlife refuge or game range on September 3, 1964.

(2) Submit a report of such review and proposed recommendation as to suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as wilderness.

(3) Facilitate issuance of public information prior to public hearings and the reconsideration of the suitability or non-suitability of the areas for preservation as wilderness after public views and the views of State and local officials have been received.

(4) Submit proposed recommendations for transmittal to the President.

B. Each report of review shall identify any roadless area of 5,000 contiguous acres or more or any roadless island which is considered not suitable for preservation as wilderness because of future requirements for rights-of-way, use facilities, conservation structures, administrative installations, or other resource use of nonwilderness nature.

1.6 Maps and Reports.

A. Lines delineating areas considered suitable for preservation as wilderness should be drawn so far as possible in a manner that will permit identification on the ground. Roadless areas within units of the National Wildlife Refuge System and units of the National Park System shall be identified by reference to the public land surveys and protraction thereof where available and practicable.

B. Maps and reports shall be compiled in a form that can be easily duplicated for public distribution.

C. Maps and reports released before final action shall be plainly marked APreliminary - Subject to Change.@

1.7 Coordination.

A. The Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks shall provide staff coordination of reviews under the Act, including liaison with the headquarters offices of other Federal departments.

B. The Field Representatives of the Secretary shall aid inter-bureau coordination of field activities under the Act, including liaison with field offices of other Federal departments and State and local governments.

C. The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation shall aid coordination of outdoor recreation aspects of reviews under the Act, with special regard to (1) relationships to inventories of outdoor recreation needs and resources; (2) the system for classification of outdoor recreation resources; (3) comprehensive outdoor recreation plans; (4) research relating to outdoor recreation; and (5) liaison with outdoor recreation agencies and organizations.

9/11/72 #1488

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