16 U.S.C. § 459b–6 — Administration of acquired property

(a) Utilization of authority for conservation and management of natural resources: Except where this law says otherwise, the Secretary must run seashore property under the general law that created the National Park Service (the 1916 Act) and other laws that apply to the whole national park system. But the Secretary can also use any other legal power he has for conserving and managing natural resources, whenever he decides that will help meet the seashore's purposes. (b) Preservation of seashore; incompatible visitor conveniences restricted: (1) To keep the seashore permanently preserved as it is, the Secretary cannot allow any visitor development or plan that would hurt the area's unique plants, animals, land features, or historic sites and buildings he has named. However, the Secretary can build trails, observation points, and exhibits, and offer services, so the public can enjoy and understand Cape Cod's natural, historic, and scientific features. He can also develop parts of the seashore he thinks are well-suited for camping, swimming, boating, sailing, hunting, fishing, enjoying historic sites, and similar activities. (2) When developing the seashore, the Secretary must place public-use areas so they don't reduce the value or enjoyment of improved property for its owners or occupants. (c) Hunting and fishing regulations; navigation: The Secretary can allow hunting and fishing, including shellfishing, on land and water he controls in the seashore, under his own rules, during the open seasons set by local, state, and federal law. Before making these rules, he must consult with Massachusetts officials and local officials in charge of hunting and fishing. He can also make cooperative agreements with them about hunting and fishing. However, he must leave shellfish breeding and harvesting entirely up to the towns named in section 459b. He also cannot interfere with the normal, customary use of the seashore's waters for navigation.