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54 USC § 120101 - Definition of National Heritage Area

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t54/s120101"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "54 USC § 120101 - Definition of National Heritage Area"
title_number: 54
title_name: "NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND RELATED PROGRAMS"
section_number: "120101"
section_name: "Definition of National Heritage Area"
chapter_number: 1201
chapter_name: "NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SYSTEM"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6158.)"
---

# § 120101. Definition of National Heritage Area

In this chapter, the term “National Heritage Area” means a component of the National Heritage Area System described in section 120102(b).

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6158.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Private Property and Regulatory Protections

> **“(1)** **In general.—** Nothing in this section [enacting this chapter, amending provisions listed in a table of National Heritage and River Corridors, a table of National Heritage Areas, and a table of National Heritage Canalways set out under section 120102 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 120102 of this title] (including an amendment made by this section)—
> 
> **“(A)** abridges any right of a public or private property owner, including the right to refrain from participating in any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within a National Heritage Area;
> 
> **“(B)** requires any property owner to permit public access (including Federal, State, Tribal government, or local government access) to a property;
> 
> **“(C)** modifies any provision of Federal, State, Tribal, or local law with respect to public access or use of private land;
> 
> **“(D)**
> 
> **(i)** alters any applicable land use regulation, land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, State, or local agency or Tribal government; or
> 
> **“(ii)** conveys to any local coordinating entity any land use or other regulatory authority;
> 
> **“(E)** authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of water or water rights;
> 
> **“(F)** diminishes the authority of a State to manage fish and wildlife, including through the regulation of fishing and hunting within a National Heritage Area in the State; or
> 
> **“(G)** creates or affects any liability—
> 
> **“(i)** under any other provision of law; or
> 
> **“(ii)** of any private property owner with respect to any person injured on private property.”

, , , provided that: