16 USC § 8424 - Restoration of overnight campsites

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t16/s8424"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "16 USC § 8424 - Restoration of overnight campsites"
title_number: 16
title_name: "CONSERVATION"
section_number: "8424"
section_name: "Restoration of overnight campsites"
chapter_number: 103
chapter_name: "EXPANDING PUBLIC LANDS OUTDOOR RECREATION EXPERIENCES"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "OUTDOOR RECREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE"
part_number: "B"
part_name: "Public Recreation on Federal Recreational Lands and Waters"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 124, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2846.)"
---


# § 8424. Restoration of overnight campsites

**(a)** **Definitions** In this section:

**(1)** **Recreation Area** November 30, 2023

The term “Recreation Area” means the recreation area and grounds associated with the recreation area on the map entitled “Ouachita National Forest Camping Restoration” and dated , on file with the Forest Service.

**(2)** **Secretary** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.

**(b)** **In general** The Secretary shall—

**(1)** not later than 6 months after January 4, 2025, identify 54 areas within the Recreation Area that may be suitable for overnight camping; and

**(2)** not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025—

**(A)** review each area identified under paragraph (1); and

**(B)** from the areas so identified, select and establish at least 27 campsites and related facilities within the Recreation Area for public use.

**(c)** **Requirements related to campsites and related facilities** The Secretary shall—

**(1)** ensure that at least 27 campsites are available under subsection (b), of which not less than 8 shall have electric and water hookups; and

**(2)** ensure that each campsite and related facility identified or established under subsection (b) is located outside of the 1 percent annual exceedance probability flood elevation.

**(d)** **Reopening of certain sites** Not later than 30 days after January 4, 2025, the Secretary shall open each campsite within the Recreation Area that—

**(1)** exists on January 4, 2025;

**(2)** is located outside of the 1 percent annual exceedance probability flood elevation;

**(3)** was in operation on June 1, 2010; and

**(4)** would not interfere with any current (as of January 4, 2025) day use areas.

**(e)** **Day use areas** Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to rehabilitate and make publicly accessible the areas in the Recreation Area identified for year-round day use, including the following:

**(1)** Loop A.

**(2)** Loop B.

**(3)** The covered, large-group picnic pavilion in Loop D.

**(4)** The parking lot in Loop D.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 124, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2846.)