I 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 3527 

To promote innovative approaches to outdoor recreation on Federal land 

and to increase opportunities for collaboration with non-Federal partners, 

and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 25, 2021 

Mr. MOORE of Utah (for himself, Mr. YOUNG, Mrs. DINGELL, and Mr. KILMER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 

on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, 

Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Armed 

Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 

each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To promote innovative approaches to outdoor recreation on 

Federal land and to increase opportunities for collaboration with non-Federal partners, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

4 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 

5 ‘‘Recreation Not Red Tape Act’’. 

6 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 

7 this Act is as follows: 


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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Definitions. 

Sec. 3. Sense of Congress regarding outdoor recreation. 

TITLE I—MODERNIZING RECREATION PERMITTING 

Sec. 101. Definitions. 

Sec. 102. Special recreation permit and fee. 

Sec. 103. Permitting process improvements. 

Sec. 104. Permit flexibility. 

Sec. 105. Permit administration. 

Sec. 106. Permits for multijurisdictional trips. 

Sec. 107. Forest Service permit use reviews. 

Sec. 108. Liability. 

Sec. 109. Cost recovery reform. 

Sec. 110. Extension of special recreation permits. 

Sec. 111. Availability of Federal and State recreation passes. 

Sec. 112. Online purchases of America the Beautiful—the National Parks and 

Federal Recreational Lands Pass. 

Sec. 113. Effect. 

TITLE II—ACCESSING THE OUTDOORS 

Sec. 201. Access for servicemembers and veterans. 

TITLE III—MAKING RECREATION A PRIORITY 

Sec. 301. Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities. 

Sec. 302. Recreation performance metrics. 

Sec. 303. Recreation mission. 

Sec. 304. National Recreation Area System. 

TITLE IV—MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC LAND 

Subtitle A—Volunteers 

Sec. 401. Private-sector volunteer enhancement program. 

Subtitle B—Priority Trail Maintenance 

Sec. 411. Interagency trail management. 

1 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

2 In this Act: 

3 (1) FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY.— 

4 The term ‘‘Federal land management agency’’ has 

5 the meaning given the term in section 802 of the 

6 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 

7 U.S.C. 6801). 


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1 (2) FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS AND

2 WATERS.—The term ‘‘Federal recreational lands and 

3 waters’’ has the meaning given the term in section 

4 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 

5 Act (16 U.S.C. 6801). 

6 (3) SECRETARIES.—Except as otherwise pro7 vided in this Act, the term ‘‘Secretaries’’ means— 

8 (A) the Secretary of the Interior; and 

9 (B) the Secretary of Agriculture. 

10 SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING OUTDOOR 

11 RECREATION. 

12 It is the sense of Congress that— 

13 (1) outdoor recreation and the outdoor industry 

14 that outdoor recreation supports are vital to the 

15 United States; 

16 (2) access to outdoor recreation on Federal rec17 reational lands and waters is important to the health 

18 and wellness of all people of the United States, espe19 cially families and young people; 

20 (3) in addition to the overall economic benefit 

21 of outdoor recreation, the economic benefits of out22 door recreation on Federal recreational lands and 

23 waters creates significant economic and employment 

24 benefits to rural economies; 


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1 (4) Congress supports the creation of outdoor 

2 recreation sector leadership positions within State 

3 governments, as well as coordination with recreation 

4 and tourism organizations within the State to guide 

5 the growth of this sector, as evidenced by recent ex6 amples in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wash7 ington; 

8 (5) State and local recreation and tourism of9 fices play a pivotal role in— 

10 (A) coordinating State outdoor recreation 

11 policies, management, and promotion among 

12 Federal, State, and local agencies and entities; 

13 (B) disseminating information, increasing 

14 awareness, and growing demand for outdoor 

15 recreation experiences among visitors across the 

16 United States and throughout the world; 

17 (C) improving funding for, access to, and 

18 participation in outdoor recreation; and 

19 (D) promoting economic development in 

20 the State by coordinating with stakeholders, im21 proving recreational opportunities, and recruit22 ing outdoor recreation businesses; 

23 (6) it is vital— 

24 (A) to support the coordination and col25 laboration of the Federal and State land and 


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1 water management agencies in the delivery of 

2 visitor services and management of outdoor 

3 recreation for the United States; and 

4 (B) provide adequate staffing within Fed5 eral land management agencies to facilitate sus6 tainable and accessible outdoor recreation op7 portunities; and 

8 (7) volunteers and volunteer partnerships play 

9 an important role in maintaining public land. 

10 TITLE I—MODERNIZING 

11 RECREATION PERMITTING 

12 SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS. 

13 In this title: 

14 (1) ASSOCIATED AGENCY.—The term ‘‘associ15 ated agency’’ means the Federal land management 

16 agency, other than the lead agency, that manages a 

17 public land unit that is the subject of a single joint 

18 special recreation permit under section 106. 

19 (2) LEAD AGENCY.—With respect to a single 

20 joint special recreation permit application submitted 

21 under section 106(a), the term ‘‘lead agency’’ means 

22 the Federal land management agency designated to 

23 administer the single joint special recreation permit 

24 under section 106(a)(2). 


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1 (3) LONG-TERM SPECIAL RECREATION PER2 MIT.—The term ‘‘long-term special recreation per3 mit’’ means— 

4 (A) for a public land unit managed by the 

5 Forest Service, a priority use permit; and 

6 (B) for a public land unit managed by the 

7 Bureau of Land Management, a multiyear spe8 cial recreation permit. 

9 (4) MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TRIP.—The term 

10 ‘‘multijurisdictional trip’’ means a trip that— 

11 (A) uses 2 or more public land units; and 

12 (B) is under the jurisdiction of 2 or more 

13 Federal land management agencies. 

14 (5) PUBLIC LAND UNIT.—The term ‘‘public 

15 land unit’’ means— 

16 (A) a unit of the National Forest System; 

17 (B) a unit of the National Park System; 

18 (C) a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge 

19 System; 

20 (D) a district of the Bureau of Land Man21 agement; and 

22 (E) a project of the Bureau of Reclama23 tion. 

24 (6) RECREATION SERVICE PROVIDER.—The 

25 term ‘‘recreation service provider’’ has the meaning 


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1 given the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands 

2 Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801). 

3 (7) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec4 retary concerned’’ means— 

5 (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re6 spect to a public land unit described in para7 graph (5)(A); and 

8 (B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re9 spect to a public land unit described in sub10 paragraph (B), (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph 

11 (5). 

12 (8) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT.—The term 

13 ‘‘special recreation permit’’ has the meaning given 

14 the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recre15 ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801). 

16 SEC. 102. SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT AND FEE. 

17 (a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 802 of the Federal Lands 

18 Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) is amend19 ed— 

20 (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 3(f)’’ 

21 and inserting ‘‘803(f)’’; 

22 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 3(g)’’ 

23 and inserting ‘‘section 803(g)’’; 

24 (3) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 

25 and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 


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1 (4) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 

2 and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 

3 (5) in paragraph (12), by striking ‘‘section 7’’ 

4 and inserting ‘‘section 807’’; 

5 (6) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘section 

6 3(h)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 803(h)’’; 

7 (7) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (3), (4), 

8 (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), and (13) as para9 graphs (15), (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (11), 

10 (10), and (14), respectively, and moving the para11 graphs so as to appear in numerical order; 

12 (8) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so re13 designated) the following: 

14 ‘‘(9) RECREATION SERVICE PROVIDER.—The 

15 term ‘recreation service provider’ means an indi16 vidual or entity that— 

17 ‘‘(A) provides outfitting, guiding, or other 

18 recreation services; or 

19 ‘‘(B) conducts recreational or competitive 

20 events, including incidental sales.’’; and 

21 (9) by inserting after paragraph (12) the fol22 lowing: 

23 ‘‘(13) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT.—The 

24 term ‘special recreation permit’ means a permit 

25 issued by a Federal land management agency for 


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1 specialized individual or group uses of Federal rec2 reational lands and waters, including for— 

3 ‘‘(A) outfitting, guiding, or other recre4 ation services; 

5 ‘‘(B) recreation or competitive events, 

6 which may include incidental sales; 

7 ‘‘(C) the use of— 

8 ‘‘(i) a special area; or 

9 ‘‘(ii) an area in which use is allocated; 

10 ‘‘(D) motorized recreation vehicle use in 

11 compliance with an applicable travel manage12 ment plan or other regulation; and 

13 ‘‘(E) a group activity or event.’’. 

14 (b) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT AND FEE.—Sec15 tion 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 

16 Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) is amended— 

17 (1) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ‘‘section 

18 4(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 804(d)’’; and 

19 (2) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 

20 following: 

21 ‘‘(h) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT AND FEE.— 

22 ‘‘(1) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT.—The Sec23 retary may issue a special recreation permit for spe24 cialized individual or group uses of Federal rec25 reational lands and waters. 


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1 ‘‘(2) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEE.— 

2 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may 

3 charge a special recreation permit fee in con4 nection with the issuance of a special recreation 

5 permit under paragraph (1). 

6 ‘‘(B) FEES FOR CERTAIN LANDS.— 

7 ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clauses 

8 (ii) and (iii), a special recreation permit fee 

9 under subparagraph (A) for use of Federal 

10 recreational lands and waters managed by 

11 the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land 

12 Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, 

13 or the United States Fish and Wildlife 

14 Service shall not exceed the difference be15 tween— 

16 ‘‘(I) the sum of— 

17 ‘‘(aa) 3 percent of the an18 nual gross revenue of the recre19 ation service provider for all ac20 tivities authorized by the special 

21 recreation permit; and 

22 ‘‘(bb) any applicable revenue 

23 addition; and 

24 ‘‘(II) any applicable revenue ex25 clusion. 


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1 ‘‘(ii) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN REVE2 NUES AND PAYMENTS.—In calculating the 

3 amount of a fee for a special recreation 

4 permit under clause (i), the Secretary shall 

5 exclude— 

6 ‘‘(I) revenue from goods, services, 

7 souvenirs, merchandise, gear, food, 

8 and activities provided or sold by a 

9 special recreation permit holder in a 

10 location other than the Federal rec11 reational lands and waters covered by 

12 the permit, including transportation 

13 costs, lodging, and any other service 

14 before or after a trip; and 

15 ‘‘(II) revenue from any rec16 reational services provided by a spe17 cial recreation permit holder for ac18 tivities on Federal recreational lands 

19 and waters for which a separate per20 mit is issued. 

21 ‘‘(iii) ALTERNATIVE PER-PERSON

22 FEE.— 

23 ‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—For Federal 

24 recreational lands and waters man25 aged by the Forest Service, the BuVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Jul 03, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H3527.IH H3527

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1 reau of Land Management, the Bu2 reau of Reclamation, or the United 

3 States Fish and Wildlife Service, the 

4 Secretary may charge a per-person fee 

5 in connection with the issuance of a 

6 special recreation permit under para7 graph (1). 

8 ‘‘(II) AMOUNT OF FEE.—The 

9 total amount charged by the Secretary 

10 in connection with the issuance of a 

11 special recreation permit under para12 graph (1) using a per-person fee 

13 under subclause (I) shall be com14 parable to the amount the Secretary 

15 may charge for a special recreation 

16 permit fee under subparagraph (A) 

17 and clauses (i) and (ii). 

18 ‘‘(iv) EFFECT.—Nothing in this sub19 paragraph affects any fee for a commercial 

20 use authorization for use of Federal rec21 reational lands and waters managed by the 

22 National Park Service. 

23 ‘‘(C) DISCLOSURE OF FEES.—A special 

24 recreation permit holder may inform customers 


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1 of any fee charged by the Secretary under this 

2 section. 

3 ‘‘(3) REPORT.— 

4 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 

5 make available to holders of special recreation 

6 permits under paragraph (1) and the public an 

7 annual report describing the use of fees col8 lected by the Secretary under paragraph (2). 

9 ‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under 

10 subparagraph (A) shall include a description of 

11 how the fees are used in each public land unit 

12 (as defined in section 101 of the Recreation 

13 Not Red Tape Act) administered by the Sec14 retary, including an identification of the 

15 amounts used for specific activities within the 

16 public land unit.’’. 

17 (c) USE OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT REV18 ENUE.—Section 808 of the Federal Lands Recreation En19 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6807) is amended— 

20 (1) in subsection (a)(3)(F), by striking ‘‘section 

21 6(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 806(a)’’; 

22 (2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 

23 each place it appears and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 

24 (3) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) 

25 as subsections (c) through (e), respectively; and 


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1 (4) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol2 lowing: 

3 ‘‘(b) USE OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEE

4 REVENUE.—Revenue from a special recreation permit fee 

5 may be used for— 

6 ‘‘(1) the purposes described in subsection (a); 

7 and 

8 ‘‘(2) expenses— 

9 ‘‘(A) associated with processing applica10 tions for special recreation permits; and 

11 ‘‘(B) incurred in the improvement of the 

12 operation of the special recreation permit sys13 tem.’’. 

14 (d) PERMANENT AUTHORIZATION.—Section 810 of 

15 the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 

16 U.S.C. 6809) is amended— 

17 (1) by striking ‘‘The authority’’ and inserting 

18 the following: 

19 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 

20 (b), the authority’’; and 

21 (2) by adding at the end the following: 

22 ‘‘(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall not apply 

23 to— 

24 ‘‘(1) section 802; 

25 ‘‘(2) subsection (d)(2) or (h) of section 803; or 


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1 ‘‘(3) subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 808.’’. 

2 SEC. 103. PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS. 

3 (a) IN GENERAL.—To simplify the process of the 

4 issuance and renewal of special recreation permits and re5 duce the cost of administering special recreation permits, 

6 the Secretary concerned shall— 

7 (1) not later than 180 days after the date of 

8 enactment of this Act— 

9 (A) evaluate the special recreation permit10 ting process; and 

11 (B) identify opportunities— 

12 (i) to eliminate duplicative processes; 

13 (ii) to reduce costs; and 

14 (iii) to decrease processing times; and 

15 (2) not later than 180 days after the date on 

16 which the Secretary concerned completes the evalua17 tion and identification processes under paragraph 

18 (1), revise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations 

19 and policy statements to implement the improve20 ments identified under paragraph (1)(B). 

21 (b) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS.— 

22 (1) EVALUATION.—Not later than 1 year after 

23 the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary con24 cerned shall evaluate whether 1 or more additional 

25 categorical exclusions developed in compliance with 


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1 the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 

2 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) would reduce processing times 

3 or costs for the issuance or renewal of special recre4 ation permits without significantly affecting the 

5 quality of the human environment. 

6 (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF CATEGORICAL EXCLU7 SIONS.—If the Secretary concerned determines 

8 under paragraph (1) that 1 or more additional cat9 egorical exclusions would reduce processing times or 

10 costs for the issuance or renewal of special recre11 ation permits without significantly affecting the 

12 quality of the human environment, the Secretary 

13 concerned shall— 

14 (A) establish those categorical exclusions 

15 in compliance with the National Environmental 

16 Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); 

17 (B) fully document that a category of ac18 tions will not individually or cumulatively have 

19 a significant effect on the human environment; 

20 and 

21 (C) revise relevant regulations and policy 

22 statements of applicable Federal agencies to in23 corporate those categorical exclusions. 

24 (3) ADMINISTRATION.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—In administering a cat2 egorical exclusion established under paragraph 

3 (2), the Secretary concerned shall comply with 

4 the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

5 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (including regulations 

6 promulgated under that Act). 

7 (B) EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.— 

8 In determining whether to use a categorical ex9 clusion established under paragraph (2), the 

10 Secretary concerned shall apply the extraor11 dinary circumstances procedures described in, 

12 as applicable— 

13 (i) section 220.6 of title 36, Code of 

14 Federal Regulations (or a successor regula15 tion); and 

16 (ii) section 46.215 of title 43, Code of 

17 Federal Regulations (or a successor regula18 tion). 

19 (c) NEEDS ASSESSMENTS.—Except as required 

20 under subsection (c) or (d) of section 4 of the Wilderness 

21 Act (16 U.S.C. 1133), the Secretary concerned shall not 

22 conduct a needs assessment as a condition of issuing a 

23 special recreation permit under this Act. 

24 (d) ONLINE APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary con25 cerned shall make applications for special recreation perVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Jul 03, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H3527.IH H3527

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1 mits available to be completed and submitted online unless 

2 the Secretary concerned determines that making the appli3 cations available for completion and submission online 

4 would not improve the efficiency or accessibility of the per5 mitting process. 

6 SEC. 104. PERMIT FLEXIBILITY. 

7 (a) SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.—The Sec8 retary concerned shall establish a permit administration 

9 protocol that authorizes, to the maximum extent prac10 ticable, a permittee issued a special recreation permit for 

11 a public land unit to engage in a recreational activity that 

12 is substantially similar to the specific activity authorized 

13 under the special recreation permit, if the substantially 

14 similar recreational activity— 

15 (1) is comparable in type, nature, scope, and 

16 ecological setting to the specific activity authorized 

17 under the special recreation permit; 

18 (2) does not result in a greater impact on nat19 ural and cultural resources than the authorized ac20 tivity; 

21 (3) does not adversely affect any other per22 mittee issued a special recreation permit for the ap23 plicable public land unit; 


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1 (4) does not involve the use of a motor, includ2 ing an electric motor, for a previously nonmotorized 

3 use; and 

4 (5) is consistent with any laws (including regu5 lations) and land use or management plans that 

6 apply to the applicable public land unit. 

7 (b) VOLUNTARY RETURN OF SURPLUS SERVICE

8 DAYS.—The Secretary concerned shall establish a pro9 gram to allow a permittee issued a special recreation per10 mit for a public land unit to voluntarily and temporarily 

11 return to the Secretary concerned 1 or more service days, 

12 to be made available to any other existing or potential per13 mittee. 

14 (c) FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MAN15 AGEMENT TEMPORARY SPECIAL RECREATION PER16 MITS.— 

17 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 

18 after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec19 retary concerned shall establish and implement a 

20 program to authorize the issuance of temporary spe21 cial recreation permits for new or additional rec22 reational uses of Federal recreational lands and 

23 waters managed by the Forest Service and the Bu24 reau of Land Management. 


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1 (2) TERM OF TEMPORARY PERMITS.—A tem2 porary special recreation permit issued under para3 graph (1) shall be issued for a period of not more 

4 than 2 years. 

5 (3) CONVERSION TO LONG-TERM PERMIT.—If 

6 the Secretary concerned determines that a permittee 

7 under paragraph (1) has completed 2 years of satis8 factory operation under the permit proposed to be 

9 converted, the Secretary may provide for the conver10 sion of a temporary special recreation permit issued 

11 under paragraph (1) to a long-term special recre12 ation permit. 

13 (4) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection alters 

14 or affects the authority of the Secretary to issue a 

15 special recreation permit under subsection (h)(1) of 

16 section 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation En17 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802). 

18 SEC. 105. PERMIT ADMINISTRATION. 

19 (a) PERMIT AVAILABILITY.— 

20 (1) NOTIFICATION OF PERMIT AVAILABILITY.— 

21 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

22 subparagraphs (B) and (C), if the Secretary 

23 concerned has determined that the Department 

24 of Agriculture or the Department of the Inte25 rior, as applicable, is able to issue new special 


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1 recreation permits to recreation service pro2 viders seeking to use a public land unit, the 

3 Secretary concerned shall publish that informa4 tion on the website of the agency that admin5 isters the relevant public land unit. 

6 (B) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN PERMITS.— 

7 With respect to a public land unit managed by 

8 the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Man9 agement, subparagraph (A) shall apply only to 

10 a long-term special recreation permit for the 

11 public land unit. 

12 (C) EXCEPTION FOR RENEWALS AND

13 REISSUANCES.—Subparagraph (A) shall not 

14 apply to— 

15 (i) a renewal or reissuance of an exist16 ing special recreation permit; or 

17 (ii) a new special recreation permit 

18 issued to the purchaser of a recreation 

19 service provider that is the holder of an ex20 isting special recreation permit. 

21 (D) EFFECT.—Nothing in this paragraph 

22 creates a prerequisite to the issuance of a spe23 cial recreation permit or otherwise limits the 

24 authority of the Secretary concerned— 


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1 (i) to issue a new special recreation 

2 permit; 

3 (ii) to add a new or additional use to 

4 an existing special recreation permit; or 

5 (iii) to make special recreation per6 mits available to members of the public. 

7 (2) UPDATES.—The Secretary concerned shall 

8 ensure that information published on the website 

9 under this subsection is consistently updated to pro10 vide current and correct information to the public. 

11 (3) ELECTRONIC MAIL NOTIFICATION.—The 

12 Secretary concerned shall— 

13 (A) establish a system by which potential 

14 special recreation permit applicants may sub15 scribe to receive notification of the availability 

16 of special recreation permits by electronic mail; 

17 and 

18 (B) direct employees of the Department of 

19 Agriculture or the Department of the Interior, 

20 as applicable, to use that system to notify the 

21 public of the availability of special recreation 

22 permits. 

23 (b) PERMIT APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT.—Not 

24 later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary 

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1 retary of Agriculture receives a complete proposal for a 

2 special recreation permit for a public land unit, the Sec3 retary concerned shall— 

4 (1) provide to the applicant notice acknowl5 edging receipt of the application or proposal; and 

6 (2)(A) issue a final decision with respect to the 

7 application or proposal; or 

8 (B) provide to the applicant notice of a pro9 jected date for a final decision on the application or 

10 proposal. 

11 SEC. 106. PERMITS FOR MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TRIPS. 

12 (a) SINGLE JOINT SPECIAL RECREATION PER13 MITS.— 

14 (1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a multijuris15 dictional trip, the Federal land management agen16 cies with jurisdiction over the multijurisdictional trip 

17 may offer to the applicant a single joint special 

18 recreation permit that authorizes the use of each 

19 public land unit under the jurisdiction of those Fed20 eral land management agencies. 

21 (2) LEAD AGENCY.—In offering a single joint 

22 special recreation permit under paragraph (1), the 

23 applicable Federal land management agencies shall 

24 designate a lead agency for administering the single 


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1 joint special recreation permit based on the following 

2 considerations: 

3 (A) The length of the multijurisdictional 

4 trip and the relative portions of the multijuris5 dictional trip on each public land unit. 

6 (B) The congressional or administrative 

7 designations that apply to the areas to be used 

8 during the multijurisdictional trip and the de9 gree to which those designations impose limita10 tions on recreational use. 

11 (C) The relative ability of the Federal land 

12 management agencies with jurisdiction over any 

13 public land unit affected by the multijuris14 dictional trip to process the single joint special 

15 recreation permit application in a timely man16 ner. 

17 (D) Other relevant administrative consider18 ations. 

19 (3) APPLICATION.—An applicant desiring to be 

20 offered a single joint special recreation permit under 

21 paragraph (1) shall submit to the lead agency an ap22 plication, as required by the lead agency. 

23 (4) OPTION TO APPLY FOR SEPARATE PER24 MITS.—An applicant for a special recreation permit 

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1 plicable Federal land management agency for a sep2 arate permit for the portion of the multijuris3 dictional trip on the public land unit managed by 

4 each applicable Federal land management agency. 

5 (b) REQUIREMENTS.—In issuing a single joint special 

6 recreation permit under subsection (a), the lead agency 

7 shall— 

8 (1) coordinate with each associated agency, con9 sistent with the authority of the Secretary concerned 

10 under section 330 of the Department of the Interior 

11 and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (43 

12 U.S.C. 1703), to develop and issue 1 joint permit 

13 that covers the entirety of the multijurisdictional 

14 trip; 

15 (2) in processing the joint special recreation 

16 permit application, incorporate the findings, inter17 ests, and needs of each associated agency; 

18 (3) in issuing the joint special recreation per19 mit, clearly identify the agencies that have the au20 thority to enforce the terms, stipulations, conditions, 

21 and agreements of the joint special recreation per22 mit, as determined under subsection (d); and 

23 (4) complete the permitting process within a 

24 reasonable timeframe. 


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1 (c) COST RECOVERY.—Coordination with each asso2 ciated agency under subsection (b) shall not be subject to 

3 cost recovery. 

4 (d) ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.— 

5 (1) DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO LEAD

6 AGENCY.—In administering a single joint special 

7 recreation permit under subsection (a), each associ8 ated agency shall delegate to the lead agency the au9 thority— 

10 (A) to enforce the terms, stipulations, con11 ditions, and agreements of the joint special 

12 recreation permit, as may be required by each 

13 associated agency; and 

14 (B) to suspend, terminate, or revoke the 

15 joint special recreation permit for— 

16 (i) noncompliance with Federal, State, 

17 or local laws (including regulations); 

18 (ii) noncompliance with the terms of 

19 the joint special recreation permit; or 

20 (iii) failure of the holder of the joint 

21 special recreation permit to exercise the 

22 privileges granted by the joint special 

23 recreation permit. 

24 (2) RETENTION OF AUTHORITY BY THE ASSOCI25 ATED AGENCY.—The associated agency shall retain 


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1 the authority to enforce the terms, stipulations, con2 ditions, and agreements in the joint special recre3 ation permit that apply specifically to the use occur4 ring on the public land unit managed by the associ5 ated agency. 

6 (e) WITHDRAWAL.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—The lead agency or an asso8 ciated agency may withdraw from a joint special 

9 recreation permit at any time. 

10 (2) ISSUANCE OF SEPARATE PERMITS.— 

11 (A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a with12 drawal by 1 or more agencies under paragraph 

13 (1), if the holder of the joint special recreation 

14 permit is in compliance with the requirements 

15 of the joint special recreation permit, the lead 

16 agency and each associated agency shall issue 

17 to the holder of the joint special recreation per18 mit a new, separate special recreation permit 

19 for any use occurring on the public land unit 

20 managed by the agency. 

21 (B) REQUIREMENTS.—A special recreation 

22 permit issued under subparagraph (A) shall 

23 contain the same or substantially similar terms, 

24 conditions, and operating stipulations as the 


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1 joint special recreation permit from which an 

2 agency has withdrawn under paragraph (1). 

3 (C) NO NEW APPLICATION.—The holder of 

4 a joint special recreation permit from which an 

5 agency has withdrawn under paragraph (1) 

6 shall not be required to submit a new applica7 tion for a separate special recreation permit. 

8 (f) TREATMENT OF PUBLIC LAND UNITS CHARGING

9 ENTRANCE FEES.—For any trip that originates on, or 

10 outside of, but passes through, a public land unit that 

11 charges entrance fees, entrance fees may be collected in 

12 addition to the special recreation permit fees collected 

13 under subsection (h)(2) of section 803 of the Federal 

14 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802). 

15 SEC. 107. FOREST SERVICE PERMIT USE REVIEWS. 

16 (a) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Agriculture 

17 (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) conducts 

18 a special recreation permit use review in renewing a spe19 cial recreation permit or adjusting allocations of use in 

20 a special recreation permit, the Secretary shall— 

21 (1) take into consideration the performance of 

22 the special recreation permit holder during the re23 viewed period; and 

24 (2) if the special recreation permit holder re25 ceives a satisfactory performance review, allocate to 


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1 the special recreation permit holder the highest level 

2 of actual annual use during the period under review 

3 plus 25 percent of that use, not to exceed the level 

4 allocated to the special recreation permit holder on 

5 the date on which the special recreation permit was 

6 issued. 

7 (b) ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.— 

8 (1) IN GENERAL.—If additional use capacity is 

9 available, the Secretary may, at any time, assign the 

10 remaining use to 1 or more qualified recreation serv11 ice providers. 

12 (2) ASSIGNMENT NOT SUBJECT TO CAP ON

13 USE.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), in assigning 

14 additional use capacity under paragraph (1), the 

15 Secretary may assign additional use capacity to an 

16 existing special recreation permit holder even if that 

17 assignment would exceed the amount of use allo18 cated to the special recreation permit holder on the 

19 date on which the special recreation permit was 

20 issued. 

21 (c) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive a special 

22 recreation permit use review for any period during which 

23 use of the assigned capacity for the special recreation per24 mit has been prevented by a circumstance beyond the con25 trol of the special recreation permit holder, such as— 


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1 (1) unfavorable weather; 

2 (2) fire; 

3 (3) natural disaster; 

4 (4) wildlife displacement; 

5 (5) business interruption; 

6 (6) insufficient availability of hunting and fish7 ing licenses; or 

8 (7) significant seasonal variability or off-peak 

9 periods within the allocated period of use. 

10 (d) APPROVAL OF NON-USE.— 

11 (1) IN GENERAL.—In any circumstance for 

12 which the holder of a special recreation permit would 

13 qualify for a waiver under subsection (c), on request 

14 of the holder of the special recreation permit, the 

15 Secretary may approve non-use by the holder of the 

16 special recreation permit without reducing the num17 ber of service days assigned to the special recreation 

18 permit. 

19 (2) TEMPORARY REASSIGNMENT OF USE.—The 

20 Secretary may assign any period of non-use ap21 proved under paragraph (1) to another qualified 

22 recreation service provider. 

23 SEC. 108. LIABILITY. 

24 (a) EXCULPATORY AGREEMENTS.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—A Federal land management 

2 agency shall not implement, administer, or enforce 

3 any regulation, guidance, or policy relating to the 

4 use of an exculpatory agreement between the holder 

5 of a special recreation permit and a customer of the 

6 holder of the special recreation permit relating to 

7 services provided under a special recreation permit. 

8 (2) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sub9 section preempts, displaces, modifies, or eliminates 

10 any State law (including common law) relating to 

11 exculpatory agreements. 

12 (b) INDEMNIFICATION BY GOVERNMENT ENTI13 TIES.—The Secretary concerned may not require a recre14 ation service provider to indemnify the United States as 

15 a condition for issuing a special recreation permit for a 

16 public land unit under section 803(h) of the Federal 

17 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(h)) 

18 if— 

19 (1) the recreation service provider is prohibited 

20 by State or local law from providing indemnification 

21 to the United States; and 

22 (2) the recreation service provider— 

23 (A) carries the minimum amount of liabil24 ity insurance coverage required by the issuing 


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1 agency for the activities conducted under the 

2 special recreation permit; or 

3 (B) is self-insured for the same amount. 

4 SEC. 109. COST RECOVERY REFORM. 

5 (a) REVISION OF REGULATIONS.— 

6 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 

7 the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 

8 Agriculture shall revise section 251.58 of title 36, 

9 Code of Federal Regulations, and the Secretary of 

10 the Interior shall revise section 2932.31 of title 43, 

11 Code of Federal Regulations, to be consistent with 

12 this section. 

13 (2) LIMITATION.—In carrying out paragraph 

14 (1), the Secretaries shall not include anything in the 

15 revised regulations that would limit the authority of 

16 the Secretaries to issue or renew special recreation 

17 permits. 

18 (b) DE MINIMIS EXEMPTION FROM COST RECOV19 ERY.— 

20 (1) IN GENERAL.—Any regulation promulgated 

21 by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of 

22 Agriculture to establish fees to recover the costs of 

23 processing an application for a special recreation 

24 permit or monitoring an authorization under a spe25 cial recreation permit shall include an exemption 


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1 providing that fees may not be recovered for not less 

2 than the first 50 hours of work necessary in any 1 

3 year to process the application or monitor the au4 thorization. 

5 (2) MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.—In situations 

6 involving multiple applications for special recreation 

7 permits for similar services in the same public land 

8 unit or area that, in the aggregate, require more 

9 hours to process than are exempt under the regula10 tions promulgated under paragraph (1), the Sec11 retary concerned shall, regardless of whether the ap12 plications are solicited or unsolicited and whether 

13 there is competitive interest— 

14 (A) determine the share of the aggregate 

15 quantity of hours to be allocated to each appli16 cation on an equal or prorated basis, as appro17 priate; and 

18 (B) for each application, apply a separate 

19 exemption as specified in the regulations pro20 mulgated under paragraph (1) to the share of 

21 the aggregate hours allocated to the application. 

22 (c) COST REDUCTION.—To the maximum extent 

23 practicable, the Secretary concerned processing an appli24 cation for a special recreation permit shall use existing 


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1 studies and analysis to reduce the quantity of work and 

2 costs necessary to process the application. 

3 SEC. 110. EXTENSION OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS. 

4 (a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), if the 

5 holder of a long-term special recreation permit makes a 

6 timely and sufficient request for renewal of the long-term 

7 special recreation permit, the expiration of the permit 

8 shall be tolled in accordance with the undesignated matter 

9 following section 558(c)(2) of title 5, United States Code, 

10 until such time as the request for renewal has been finally 

11 determined by the Secretary concerned. 

12 (b) LIMITATION.—Any tolling under subsection (a) 

13 shall be for a period of not more than 5 years. 

14 (c) RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY CON15 CERNED.—Before allowing the expiration of a permit to 

16 be tolled under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned, 

17 to the maximum extent practicable, shall complete the re18 newal process. 

19 SEC. 111. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE RECRE20 ATION PASSES. 

21 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Lands Recreation 

22 Enhancement Act is amended by inserting after section 

23 805 (16 U.S.C. 6804) the following: 


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1 ‘‘SEC. 805A. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE RECRE2 ATION PASSES. 

3 ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.— 

4 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To improve the availability 

5 of Federal and State outdoor recreation passes, the 

6 Secretaries are encouraged to consult with States to 

7 coordinate the availability of Federal and State 

8 recreation passes to allow a purchaser to buy a Fed9 eral recreation pass and a State recreation pass in 

10 the same transaction. 

11 ‘‘(2) INCLUDED PASSES.—Passes covered by 

12 the program established under paragraph (1) in13 clude— 

14 ‘‘(A) an America the Beautiful—the Na15 tional Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 

16 Pass under section 805; and 

17 ‘‘(B) any pass covering any fees charged 

18 by participating States and localities for en19 trance and recreational use of parks and public 

20 land in the participating States. 

21 ‘‘(b) AGREEMENTS WITH STATES.— 

22 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries, after con23 sultation with the States, may enter into agreements 

24 with States to coordinate the availability of passes 

25 as described in subsection (a). 


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1 ‘‘(2) REVENUE FROM PASS SALES.—The agree2 ments between the Secretaries and the States shall 

3 ensure that— 

4 ‘‘(A) funds from the sale of State passes 

5 are transferred to the appropriate State agency; 

6 ‘‘(B) funds from the sale of Federal passes 

7 are transferred to the appropriate Federal 

8 agency; and 

9 ‘‘(C) fund transfers are completed by the 

10 end of a fiscal year for all pass sales occurring 

11 during the fiscal year. 

12 ‘‘(3) NOTICE.—In entering into an agreement 

13 under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall publish in 

14 the Federal Register a notice describing the agree15 ment.’’. 

16 (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 

17 for the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 

18 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the 

19 item relating to section 805 the following: 

‘‘ Sec. 805A. Availability of Federal and State recreation passes.’’. 

20 SEC. 112. ONLINE PURCHASES OF AMERICA THE BEAU21 TIFUL—THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL 

22 RECREATIONAL LANDS PASS. 

23 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 805(a)(6) of the Federal 

24 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 


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1 6804(a)(6)) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and 

2 inserting the following: 

3 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall 

4 sell the America the Beautiful—the National 

5 Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass— 

6 ‘‘(i) at all Federal recreational lands 

7 and waters at which an entrance fee or a 

8 standard amenity recreation fee is charged 

9 where feasible to do so; 

10 ‘‘(ii) at such other locations as the 

11 Secretaries consider appropriate and fea12 sible; and 

13 ‘‘(iii) through the website of each of 

14 the Federal land management agencies and 

15 the websites of the relevant units and 

16 subunits of those agencies, with— 

17 ‘‘(I) a prominent link on each 

18 website; and 

19 ‘‘(II) information about where 

20 and when passes are needed.’’. 

21 (b) ENTRANCE PASS AND AMENITY FEES.—The Sec22 retaries shall make available for payment online, if appro23 priate and feasible, for each public land unit where passes 

24 and fees are required— 


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1 (1) all entrance fees under section 803(e) of the 

2 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 

3 U.S.C. 6802(e)); 

4 (2) all standard amenity recreation fees under 

5 section 803(f) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(f)); and 

6 (3) all expanded amenity recreation fees under 

7 section 803(g) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(g)). 

8 SEC. 113. EFFECT. 

9 (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 

10 (b), nothing in this Act (including an amendment made 

11 by this Act) affects the authority or responsibility of the 

12 Secretary of the Interior to award concessions contracts 

13 for the provision of accommodations, facilities, and serv14 ices, or commercial use authorizations to provide services, 

15 to visitors to units of the National Park System under 

16 subchapter II of chapter 1019 of title 54, United States 

17 Code. 

18 (b) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), 

19 subsections (a), (b), and (d) of section 103, subsections 

20 (a) and (b) of section 104, and sections 106 and 108 shall 

21 apply to commercial use authorizations under subchapter 

22 II of chapter 1019 of title 54, United States Code. 


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1 TITLE II—ACCESSING THE 

2 OUTDOORS 

3 SEC. 201. ACCESS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS. 

4 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries are encouraged to 

5 work with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 

6 Veterans Affairs to ensure servicemembers and veterans 

7 have access to outdoor recreation and to outdoor-related 

8 volunteer and wellness programs as a part of the basic 

9 services provided to servicemembers and veterans. 

10 (b) INCLUSION OF INFORMATION.—Each branch of 

11 the Armed Forces is encouraged to include information 

12 regarding outdoor recreation and outdoors-based careers 

13 in the materials and counseling services focused on resil14 ience and career readiness provided in transition pro15 grams, including— 

16 (1) the benefits of outdoor recreation for phys17 ical and mental health; 

18 (2) resources to access guided outdoor trips and 

19 other outdoor programs connected to the Depart20 ment of Veterans Affairs; and 

21 (3) information regarding programs and jobs 

22 focused on continuing national service such as the 

23 Public Land Corps, AmeriCorps, or a conservation 

24 corps program. 


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1 (c) OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAM ATTEND2 ANCE.—Each branch of the Armed Forces is encouraged 

3 to permit members of the Armed Forces on active duty 

4 status, at the discretion of the commander of the member, 

5 to use not more than 7 days of a permissive temporary 

6 duty assignment or terminal leave allotted to the member 

7 to participate in a program related to environmental stew8 ardship or guided outdoor recreation following deploy9 ment. 

10 (d) VETERAN HIRING.—The Secretaries are strongly 

11 encouraged to hire veterans in all positions related to the 

12 management of Federal recreational lands and waters. 

13 TITLE III—MAKING RECREATION 

14 A PRIORITY 

15 SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF SEASONAL RECREATION OPPOR16 TUNITIES. 

17 (a) IN GENERAL.— 

18 (1) EXTENSION OF RECREATIONAL SEASON.— 

19 The relevant unit managers of Federal recreational 

20 lands and waters managed by the Forest Service, 

21 the Bureau of Land Management, and the National 

22 Park Service may— 

23 (A) identify areas of Federal recreational 

24 lands and waters in which recreation use is 

25 highly seasonal; 


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1 (B) where appropriate, extend the recre2 ation season or increase recreation use in a sus3 tainable manner during the offseason; and 

4 (C) make information about extended sea5 son schedules and related recreational opportu6 nities available to the public and local commu7 nities. 

8 (2) CLARIFICATION.—Nothing in this sub9 section precludes the Secretaries from providing for 

10 additional recreational opportunities and uses at 

11 times other than those referred to in paragraph (1). 

12 (b) INCLUSIONS.—An extension under subsection 

13 (a)(1) may include— 

14 (1) the addition of facilities that would increase 

15 recreation use during the offseason; and 

16 (2) improvement of access to the area to extend 

17 the season. 

18 (c) REQUIREMENT.—An extension under subsection 

19 (a)(1) shall be compatible with all applicable Federal laws, 

20 regulations, and policies, including land use plans. 

21 SEC. 302. RECREATION PERFORMANCE METRICS. 

22 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Chief of the Forest Service 

23 and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall 

24 evaluate land managers under their jurisdiction based on 

25 the achievement of applicable agency recreational and 


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1 tourism metrics as described in applicable land manage2 ment plans. 

3 (b) METRICS.— 

4 (1) IN GENERAL.—The metrics used to evaluate 

5 recreation and tourism outcomes shall ensure— 

6 (A) the advancement of recreation and 

7 tourism goals; and 

8 (B) the ability of the land manager to en9 hance the outdoor experience of the visitor. 

10 (2) INCLUSIONS.—The metrics referred to para11 graph (1) shall include— 

12 (A) the extent of positive economic im13 pacts; 

14 (B) visitation by families; 

15 (C) the number of visiting school and 

16 youth groups; 

17 (D) the number of available recreational 

18 opportunities; 

19 (E) the quality of visitor experience; 

20 (F) the number of recreational and envi21 ronmental educational programs offered; 

22 (G) visitor satisfaction; and 

23 (H) the maintenance and expansion of ex24 isting recreation infrastructure. 


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1 SEC. 303. RECREATION MISSION. 

2 (a) DEFINITION OF FEDERAL AGENCY.—In this sec3 tion, the term ‘‘Federal agency’’ means each of— 

4 (1) the Corps of Engineers; 

5 (2) the Bureau of Reclamation; 

6 (3) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; 

7 and 

8 (4) the Department of Transportation. 

9 (b) MISSION.—With respect to the mission of the 

10 Federal agency, each Federal agency shall consider how 

11 land and water management decisions can enhance recre12 ation opportunities and the recreation economy. 

13 SEC. 304. NATIONAL RECREATION AREA SYSTEM. 

14 (a) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—It is the policy of the 

15 United States that certain Federal land possesses remark16 able recreational values and should be managed for— 

17 (1) sustainable outdoor recreational uses by the 

18 people of the United States; 

19 (2) the recreational, social, and health benefits 

20 people receive from the Federal land through out21 door recreation; and 

22 (3) the specific and meaningful experiences 

23 made possible by unique and varied landscapes. 

24 (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 


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1 (1) NATURAL FEATURE.—The term ‘‘natural 

2 feature’’ means an ecological, geological, 

3 hydrological, or scenic attribute of a specific area. 

4 (2) REMARKABLE RECREATIONAL AT5 TRIBUTE.—The term ‘‘remarkable recreational at6 tribute’’ means, with respect to an area— 

7 (A) a natural feature that supports high8 quality outdoor recreation opportunities and ex9 periences; 

10 (B) having a high value in terms of pro11 viding recreation opportunities to underserved 

12 communities; 

13 (C) a unique cultural or historic feature or 

14 attribute that supports high-quality recreation 

15 opportunities and experiences; 

16 (D) the offering of outstanding existing or 

17 prospective recreation opportunities and uses; 

18 (E) having an important role in, and con19 tributing significantly, to the outdoor recreation 

20 economy; or 

21 (F) having high fish and wildlife values. 

22 (3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ 

23 means— 

24 (A) the Secretary of the Interior, acting 

25 through the Director of the Bureau of Land 


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1 Management with respect to land administered 

2 by the Bureau of Land Management; and 

3 (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting 

4 through the Chief of the Forest Service, with 

5 respect to National Forest System land. 

6 (4) SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘System’’ means the 

7 National Recreation Area System established by 

8 subsection (c). 

9 (5) SYSTEM UNIT.—The term ‘‘System unit’’ 

10 means a System unit designated pursuant to sub11 section (c). 

12 (c) COMPOSITION.—There is established a National 

13 Recreation Area System, to be comprised of— 

14 (1) existing National Recreation Areas under 

15 the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management 

16 or the Forest Service described in subsection (g); 

17 and 

18 (2) new System units designated by Congress 

19 on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 

20 (d) ADMINISTRATION.— 

21 (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing 

22 rights, the Secretary shall manage each System unit 

23 in a manner that— 

24 (A) prioritizes the sustainable enjoyment, 

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1 able recreational attributes, natural features, 

2 and uses of the System unit consistent with 

3 subsection (a); and 

4 (B) protects the System unit for a variety 

5 of recreational uses (including outfitting and 

6 guiding, motorized recreation, hunting and fish7 ing, horseback riding, and biking ) in locations 

8 where those uses are appropriate and are con9 ducted in accordance with the applicable land 

10 management plan and all applicable Federal 

11 and State laws (including regulations). 

12 (2) GRAZING.—Livestock grazing within System 

13 units, where established before the date of the enact14 ment of this Act, shall be permitted if the grazing 

15 complies with all applicable laws (including regula16 tions). 

17 (3) STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL INVOLVE18 MENT.—The Secretary shall consult with States, po19 litical subdivisions of States, affected Indian Tribes, 

20 adjacent landowners, and the public in the adminis21 tration of System units. 

22 (4) FISH AND WILDLIFE.—Nothing in this sec23 tion affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of a 

24 State with respect to fish and wildlife in a System 

25 unit in the State. 


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1 (5) WATER RIGHTS.—Nothing in this section 

2 affects any valid or vested water right in existence 

3 on the date of enactment of this Act. 

4 (6) SKI AREA LAND.—This section shall not 

5 apply to ski area land, including ski area special use 

6 permit boundaries, master development plan bound7 aries, and any acres allocated for resort development 

8 in a forest plan. 

9 (e) COMPONENTS OF NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

10 SYSTEM.— 

11 (1) MAP; LEGAL DESCRIPTION.— 

12 (A) IN GENERAL.—For System units des13 ignated by an Act of Congress after the date of 

14 enactment of this Act, as soon as practicable 

15 after the date of designation of a System unit, 

16 the Secretary shall prepare a map and legal de17 scription of the System unit. 

18 (B) FORCE OF LAW.—The map and legal 

19 description filed under subparagraph (A) shall 

20 have the same force and effect as if included in 

21 this section, except that the Secretary may cor22 rect typographical errors in the map and legal 

23 description. 

24 (C) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The map and 

25 legal description filed under subparagraph (A) 


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1 shall be on file and available for public inspec2 tion in the offices of the Bureau of Land Man3 agement and the Forest Service, as appropriate. 

4 (2) COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN.— 

5 (A) IN GENERAL.—For System units des6 ignated by an Act of Congress after the date of 

7 enactment of this Act the Secretary with juris8 diction over the System unit shall prepare a 

9 comprehensive management plan for the unit 

10 that fulfills the requirements of subsection 

11 (d)(1) and subparagraph (C). 

12 (B) TIMING.— 

13 (i) IN GENERAL.—The comprehensive 

14 management plan described in subpara15 graph (A) shall be completed as part of the 

16 regular land use management planning 

17 process of the applicable agency on which 

18 the System unit is located. 

19 (ii) DELAY IN PLAN REVISION.—If the 

20 planning cycle of the applicable agency 

21 does not coincide with the designation of 

22 the System unit, the initial plan for the 

23 unit shall be completed not later than 3 

24 years after the date of designation of the 

25 System unit. 


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1 (C) REQUIREMENTS.—A comprehensive 

2 management plan prepared under subparagraph 

3 (A) shall— 

4 (i) identify the existing, and to the ex5 tent practicable, prospective remarkable 

6 recreational attributes of the System unit; 

7 (ii) ensure the System unit is man8 aged to protect and enhance the purposes 

9 for which the System unit was established; 

10 (iii) ensure the System unit is man11 aged to protect and enhance the resources 

12 that make the area suitable for designation 

13 under subsection (c)(2) in accordance with 

14 subsection (a); 

15 (iv) describe the circumstances and lo16 cations in which the activities described in 

17 paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of subsection 

18 (d) are permitted on the System unit; 

19 (v) be coordinated with resource man20 agement planning for affected adjacent 

21 Federal land, if applicable; 

22 (vi) be prepared— 

23 (I) in accordance with— 

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1 ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 

2 1701 et seq.) or section 6 of the 

3 Forest and Rangeland Renewable 

4 Resources Planning Act of 1974 

5 (16 U.S.C. 1604); and 

6 (bb) any other applicable 

7 laws (including regulations); and 

8 (II) in consultation with States, 

9 political subdivisions of States, af10 fected Indian Tribes, adjacent land11 owners, and the public; and 

12 (vii) designate a sustainable road and 

13 trail network, consistent with subsection 

14 (a) and the purposes for which the System 

15 unit was established, in accordance with all 

16 applicable laws (including regulations). 

17 (D) REVIEW.—A comprehensive manage18 ment plan described in subparagraph (A) shall 

19 be regularly reviewed and updated as part of 

20 the regular land management planning process 

21 of the applicable agency. 

22 (E) MANAGEMENT BY SECRETARY.— 

23 (i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 

24 manage a National Recreation Area de25 scribed in subsection (g) in accordance 


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1 with the management plan for the Na2 tional Recreation Area in effect on the 

3 date of enactment of this Act, until the 

4 date on which the plan is revised or super5 seded by a new comprehensive manage6 ment plan issued in accordance with this 

7 paragraph. 

8 (ii) PLAN REVISION.—If 1 or more 

9 components of an existing management 

10 plan referred to in clause (i) conflict with 

11 this section, not later than 2 years after 

12 the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec13 retary shall revise the plan to make the 

14 plan consistent with this section. 

15 (F) NOTICE.—The Secretary shall publish 

16 in the Federal Register notice of the completion 

17 and availability of a plan prepared under this 

18 paragraph. 

19 (f) POTENTIAL ADDITIONS TO NATIONAL RECRE20 ATION AREA SYSTEM.— 

21 (1) ELIGIBLE AREA.—An area eligible for inclu22 sion in the System is an area that possesses 1 or 

23 more remarkable recreational attributes. 


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1 (2) POTENTIAL ADDITIONS.—In carrying out 

2 the land management planning process, the Sec3 retary shall— 

4 (A) identify eligible areas that possess 1 or 

5 more remarkable recreational attributes; 

6 (B) develop and maintain a list of eligible 

7 areas as potential additions to the System; 

8 (C) consider input from the Governor of, 

9 political subdivisions of, and affected Indian 

10 Tribes located in, the State in which the eligible 

11 areas are located; 

12 (D) transmit to Congress lists of eligible 

13 areas for consideration; and 

14 (E) ensure that management plans for eli15 gible areas maintain the recreational attributes 

16 supporting eligibility. 

17 (g) EXISTING NATIONAL RECREATION AREAS.— 

18 Each National Recreation Area established before the date 

19 of enactment of this Act that is under the jurisdiction of 

20 the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service 

21 shall be— 

22 (1) deemed to be a unit of the System; and 

23 (2) notwithstanding subsection (d), adminis24 tered under the law pertaining to the applicable Sys25 tem unit. 


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1 (h) STANDARD FEES.—In accordance with sections 

2 803 through 808 of the Federal Lands Recreation En3 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802–6807), the Secretary 

4 may establish a standard amenity fee at each National 

5 Recreation Area designated after the date of enactment 

6 of this Act, if— 

7 (1) the purpose of the fee is to enhance visitor 

8 services and stewardship of the recreation area; and 

9 (2) the establishment of a fee is not prohibited 

10 by other Federal law. 

11 (i) COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING LAWS.—Nothing in 

12 this section modifies any obligation— 

13 (1) of the Secretary to prepare or implement a 

14 land use plan in accordance with section 202 of the 

15 Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 

16 (43 U.S.C. 1712) or section 6 of the Forest and 

17 Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 

18 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604); 

19 (2) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 

20 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 

21 (3) under the Federal Water Pollution Control 

22 Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); or 

23 (4) under any other applicable law. 

24 (j) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAND MANAGEMENT

25 DESIGNATIONS.—Nothing in this section affects— 


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1 (1) any other land or water management des2 ignation under any other provision of law; or 

3 (2) any obligation to comply with a requirement 

4 applicable to such a designation. 

5 (k) NATIVE AMERICAN TREATY RIGHTS.—Nothing 

6 in this section alters, modifies, enlarges, diminishes, or ab7 rogates the treaty rights of any Indian Tribe, including 

8 any off-reservation reserved rights. 

9 TITLE IV—MAINTENANCE OF 

10 PUBLIC LAND 

11 Subtitle A—Volunteers 

12 SEC. 401. PRIVATE-SECTOR VOLUNTEER ENHANCEMENT 

13 PROGRAM. 

14 (a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to pro15 mote private-sector volunteer programs within the Depart16 ment of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture 

17 to enhance stewardship, recreation access, and sustain18 ability of the resources, values, and facilities of the Fed19 eral recreational lands and waters managed by the Federal 

20 land management agencies. 

21 (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

22 (1) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec23 retary concerned’’ means— 


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1 (A) the Secretary of Agriculture (acting 

2 through the Chief of the Forest Service), with 

3 respect to National Forest System land; and 

4 (B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re5 spect to land managed by the Bureau of Land 

6 Management. 

7 (2) VOLUNTEER.—The term ‘‘volunteer’’ means 

8 any individual who performs volunteer services under 

9 this section. 

10 (c) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary concerned 

11 shall carry out a program under which the Secretary con12 cerned shall— 

13 (1) enhance private-sector volunteer programs; 

14 (2) actively promote private-sector volunteer op15 portunities; and 

16 (3) provide outreach to, and coordinate with, 

17 the private sector for the purposes described in para18 graphs (1) and (2). 

19 (d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR STEWARDSHIP

20 OF FEDERAL LAND.— 

21 (1) AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREE22 MENTS.—The Secretary concerned may enter into 

23 cooperative agreements (in accordance with section 

24 6305 of title 31, United States Code) with private 

25 agencies, organizations, institutions, corporations, 


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1 individuals, or other entities to carry out 1 or more 

2 projects or programs with a Federal land manage3 ment agency in accordance with this section. 

4 (2) PROJECT AND PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS.— 

5 The Secretary concerned shall include in the cooper6 ative agreement the desired outcomes of the project 

7 or program and the guidelines for the volunteers to 

8 follow, including— 

9 (A) the physical boundaries of the project 

10 or program; 

11 (B) the equipment the volunteers are au12 thorized to use to complete the project or pro13 gram; 

14 (C) the training the volunteers are re15 quired to complete, including agency consider16 ation and incorporation of training offered by 

17 qualified nongovernmental organizations and 

18 volunteer partner organizations; 

19 (D) the actions the volunteers are author20 ized to take to complete the project or program; 

21 and 

22 (E) any other information that the Sec23 retary concerned determines necessary for the 

24 volunteer group to complete the project or pro25 gram. 


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1 (3) AUTHORIZED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS.— 

2 Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary concerned 

3 may use a cooperative agreement to carry out 

4 projects and programs for Federal land that— 

5 (A) promote the stewardship of resources 

6 of Federal land by volunteers; 

7 (B) support maintaining the resources, 

8 trails, and facilities on Federal land in a sus9 tainable manner; 

10 (C) increase awareness, understanding, 

11 and stewardship of Federal land through the 

12 development, publication, or distribution of edu13 cational materials and products; and 

14 (D) promote the use of Federal land as 

15 outdoor classrooms. 

16 (4) CONDITIONS ON USE OF AUTHORITY.—The 

17 Secretary concerned may use a cooperative agree18 ment under paragraph (1) to carry out a project or 

19 program for the Federal land only if the project or 

20 program— 

21 (A) complies with all Federal laws (includ22 ing regulations) and policies; 

23 (B) is consistent with an applicable man24 agement plan for any Federal recreational lands 

25 and waters involved; 


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1 (C) is monitored by the relevant Federal 

2 land management agency during the project 

3 and after project completion to determine com4 pliance with the instructions under paragraph 

5 (2); and 

6 (D) satisfies such other terms and condi7 tions as the Secretary concerned determines to 

8 be appropriate. 

9 Subtitle B—Priority Trail 

10 Maintenance 

11 SEC. 411. INTERAGENCY TRAIL MANAGEMENT. 

12 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall establish an 

13 interagency trail management plan to manage and main14 tain in a uniform manner trails that cross jurisdictional 

15 boundaries between Federal land management agencies. 

16 (b) REQUIREMENT.—The plan established under sub17 section (a) shall ensure compliance with all Federal laws. 

Æ 


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