---
kind: "range"
citation: "16 U.S.C. §§ 528–531"
title: "16"
from: "528"
to: "531"
count: 4
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/528..531"
---

# §528. Development and administration of renewable surface resources for multiple use and sustained yield of products and services; Congressional declaration of policy and purpose


It is the policy of the Congress that the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) are established and shall be administered for outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, and wildlife and fish purposes. The purposes of [sections 528 to 531](/usc/16/528..531.md) of this title are declared to be supplemental to, but not in derogation of, the purposes for which the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) were established as set forth in [section 475 of this title](/usc/16/475.md). Nothing herein shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the several [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) with respect to wildlife and fish on the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3). Nothing herein shall be construed so as to affect the use or administration of the mineral [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) of [national forest lands](/usc/16/460hhh.md?p=1) or to affect the use or administration of [Federal lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=2) not within [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3).


# §529. Authorization of development and administration consideration to relative values of resources; areas of wilderness


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture is authorized and directed to develop and administer the renewable surface [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) of the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) for [multiple use](/usc/16/531.md?p=a) and [sustained yield of the several products and services](/usc/16/531.md?p=b) obtained therefrom. In the administration of the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) due consideration shall be given to the relative values of the various [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) in particular [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A). The establishment and maintenance of [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of [wilderness](/usc/16/460mmm–1.md?p=6) are consistent with the purposes and provisions of [sections 528 to 531](/usc/16/528..531.md) of this title.


# §530. Cooperation for purposes of development and administration with State and local governmental agencies and others


In the effectuation of [sections 528 to 531](/usc/16/528..531.md) of this title the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture is authorized to cooperate with interested [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) and local governmental agencies and others in the development and management of the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3).


# §531. Definitions


As used in [sections 528 to 531](/usc/16/528..531.md) of this title the following terms shall have the following meanings:

- (a) “Multiple use” means: The management of all the various renewable surface [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) of the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) so that they are utilized in the combination that will best meet the needs of the American people; making the most judicious use of the land for some or all of these [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) or related services over [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) large enough to provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing needs and conditions; that some land will be used for less than all of the [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8); and harmonious and coordinated management of the various [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8), each with the other, without impairment of the productivity of the land, with consideration being given to the relative values of the various [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8), and not necessarily the combination of [uses](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=10) that will give the greatest dollar return or the greatest [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) output.
- (b) “Sustained yield of the several products and services” means the achievement and maintenance in perpetuity of a high-level annual or regular periodic output of the various renewable [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) of the [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) without impairment of the productivity of the land.