The area within the boundaries depicted on the map referred to in section 698 of this title shall be known as the Big Thicket National Preserve. Such lands shall be administered by the Secretary as a unit of the National Park System in a manner which will assure their natural and ecological integrity in perpetuity in accordance with the provisions of sections 698 to 698e of this title and with the provisions of the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1–4),[1] as amended and supplemented.

In the interest of maintaining the ecological integrity of the preserve, the Secretary shall limit the construction of roads, vehicular campgrounds, employee housing, and other public use and administrative facilities and he shall promulgate and publish such rules and regulations in the Federal Register as he deems necessary and appropriate to limit and control the use of, and activities on, Federal lands and waters with respect to:

(1) motorized land and water vehicles;

(2) exploration for, and extraction of, oil, gas, and other minerals;

(3) new construction of any kind;

(4) grazing and agriculture; and

(5) such other uses as the Secretary determines must be limited or controlled in order to carry out the purposes of sections 698 to 698e of this title.

The Secretary shall permit hunting, fishing, and trapping on lands and waters under his jurisdiction within the preserve in accordance with the applicable laws of the United States and the State of Texas, except that he may designate zones where and periods when, no hunting, fishing, trapping, or entry may be permitted for reasons of public safety, administration, floral and faunal protection and management, or public use and enjoyment. Except in emergencies, any regulations prescribing such restrictions relating to hunting, fishing, or trapping shall be put into effect only after consultation with the appropriate State agency having jurisdiction over hunting, fishing and trapping activities.

(Pub. L. 93–439, § 4, Oct. 11, 1974, 88 Stat. 1257.)