Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Act
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 106-431.
Official Summary
Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Act - Establishes the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area, upon conveyance of such Island to the United States, to preserve and protect its outstanding resources and values and to provide for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of primitive recreation opportunities, fish and wildlife habitat, vegetation, and historical and cultural resources of such Island.Requires the boundaries of the Hiawatha National Forest to be extended to include such Area. Requires lands acquired by the United States under this Act to be treated as entitlement lands solely for purposes of payments in lieu of taxes to local governments.Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, within three years of acquiring 50 percent of the land authorized for acquisition, to develop an amendment to the land and resources management plan for the Hiawatha National Forest which will direct management of the scenic area.Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of Michigan with respect to fish and wildlife in the Area.Withdraws the lands within the Area from disposition under U.S. mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Prohibits the Secretary from allowing any mineral development on federally-owned land within the Area, except for construction and maintenance of roads and facilities within the Area.Allows the Secretary to acquire: (1) land and structures within the Area to further the purposes of this Act; and (2) not more than ten acres of land (and improvements) on the mainland to provide access to, and administrative facilities for, the Area.Authorizes appropriations.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Act establishes the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area upon the conveyance of the island to the United States. The Act aims to preserve and protect the island's natural, historical, and cultural resources, including primitive recreation opportunities, fish and wildlife habitat, and vegetation. It extends the boundaries of the Hiawatha National Forest to include the new scenic area and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a management plan amendment within three years of acquiring half of the authorized land. The Act also withdraws the area from mineral and geothermal leasing laws, prohibiting mineral development except for necessary infrastructure. It authorizes land acquisition within the area and on the mainland for access and administrative purposes, and provides for payments in lieu of taxes to local governments. The Act explicitly preserves Michigan's jurisdiction over fish and wildlife in the area and authorizes appropriations to support its provisions.
This law creates a federally protected scenic area on Saint Helena Island, integrating it into the Hiawatha National Forest system with specific conservation and management requirements, while limiting mineral development and respecting state wildlife jurisdiction.
- Establishes the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area to conserve natural, cultural, and recreational resources.
- Extends Hiawatha National Forest boundaries to include the scenic area and requires a management plan amendment within three years after acquiring 50% of authorized land.
- Prohibits mineral and geothermal leasing and development within the area except for road and facility construction and maintenance.
- Allows federal acquisition of land within the area and up to ten acres on the mainland for access and administration.
- Maintains Michigan's jurisdiction over fish and wildlife management within the scenic area.
['U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture) responsible for managing the scenic area', 'Local governments receiving payments in lieu of taxes for acquired lands', 'Recreational users and conservation groups interested in preserving natural and cultural resources', 'Residents and stakeholders in Michigan with interests in fish and wildlife management']
['Implementation challenges related to timely acquisition of land and development of the management plan within the specified timeframe', 'Costs associated with land acquisition, management, and enforcement of conservation provisions', "Potential conflicts or coordination needs between federal management and Michigan's retained jurisdiction over fish and wildlife", 'Restrictions on mineral and geothermal development may affect potential resource use and economic opportunities']
The bill was introduced in the House during the 106th Congress and was signed into law on November 6, 2000, becoming Public Law No: 106-431. It reflects federal efforts to protect and manage public lands with ecological, recreational, and cultural significance, consistent with policies governing national forests and scenic areas. The Act balances federal conservation authority with state jurisdiction over wildlife resources.
High concern review — 3 hidden impact flags detected
GovScope reviewed 3 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Enhanced conservation and recreational opportunities may increase tourism and local economic activity around Saint Helena Island.', 'Federal acquisition of land and designation as a scenic area could influence local land use planning and development patterns.', 'Restrictions on mineral development may shift resource extraction activities to other areas outside the scenic area.']
The Act includes clear provisions for land acquisition, management planning, and jurisdictional boundaries, which support transparency in implementation. However, the absence of the full bill text limits detailed analysis of enforcement mechanisms and specific funding levels. Monitoring the coordination between federal and state agencies regarding fish and wildlife management will be important for oversight. The authorization of appropriations suggests ongoing federal financial commitments that should be tracked for budgetary transparency.
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