I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3670 
To improve access for outdoor recreation through the use of special recreation 
permits on Federal recreational lands and waters, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 1, 2021 
Mr. NEGUSE (for himself, Ms. DEGETTE, Mrs. DINGELL, and Mr. GALLEGO) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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 com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To improve access for outdoor recreation through the use 
of special recreation permits on Federal recreational 
lands and waters, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act’’ or the 
‘‘SOAR Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
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. Savings provision. 
TITLE II—MAKING RECREATION A PRIORITY 
Sec. 201. Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities. 
Sec. 202. Recreation performance metrics. 
TITLE III—MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC LAND 
Sec. 301. Private-sector volunteer enhancement program. 
Sec. 302. Enhancing outdoor recreation through public lands service organiza-
tions. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY.— 
The term ‘‘Federal land management agency’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 802 of the 
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6801). 
(2) FEDERAL
RECREATIONAL
LANDS
AND 
WATERS.—The term ‘‘Federal recreational lands and 
waters’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 
Act (16 U.S.C. 6801). 
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under subparagraph (A) for use of Federal 
recreational lands and waters managed by 
the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land 
Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, 
or the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service shall not exceed the difference be-
tween— 
‘‘(I) the sum of— 
‘‘(aa) 3 percent of the an-
nual gross revenue of the recre-
ation service provider for all ac-
tivities authorized by the special 
recreation permit; and 
‘‘(bb) any applicable revenue 
addition; and 
‘‘(II) any applicable revenue ex-
clusion. 
‘‘(ii) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN REVE-
NUES AND PAYMENTS.—In calculating the 
amount of a fee for a special recreation 
permit under clause (i), the Secretary con-
cerned shall exclude— 
‘‘(I) revenue from goods, services, 
souvenirs, merchandise, gear, food, 
and activities provided or sold by a 
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special recreation permit holder in a 
location other than the Federal rec-
reational lands and waters covered by 
the permit, including transportation 
costs, lodging, and any other service 
before or after a trip; and 
‘‘(II) revenue from any rec-
reational services provided by a spe-
cial recreation permit holder for ac-
tivities on Federal recreational lands 
and waters for which a separate per-
mit is issued. 
‘‘(iii) 
ALTERNATIVE
PER-PERSON 
FEE.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—For Federal 
recreational lands and waters man-
aged by the Forest Service, the Bu-
reau of Land Management, the Bu-
reau of Reclamation, or the United 
States Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
Secretary may charge a per-person fee 
in connection with the issuance of a 
special recreation permit under para-
graph (1). 
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‘‘(II) AMOUNT
OF
FEE.—The 
total amount charged by the Secretary 
in connection with the issuance of a 
special recreation permit under para-
graph (1) using a per-person fee 
under subclause (I) shall not exceed 
the amount the Secretary may charge 
for a special recreation permit fee 
under subparagraph (A) and clauses 
(i) and (ii). 
‘‘(iv) EFFECT.—Nothing in this sub-
paragraph affects any fee for a commercial 
use authorization for use of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters managed by the 
National Park Service. 
‘‘(C) DISCLOSURE
OF
FEES.—A special 
recreation permit holder may inform customers 
of any fee charged by the Secretary under this 
section. 
‘‘(3) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
make available to holders of special recreation 
permits under paragraph (1) and the public an 
annual report describing the use of fees col-
lected by the Secretary under paragraph (2). 
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‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under 
subparagraph (A) shall include a description of 
how the fees are used in each Federal land unit 
(as defined in section 2 of the SOAR Act) ad-
ministered by the Secretary, including an iden-
tification of the amounts used for specific ac-
tivities within the Federal land unit.’’. 
(c) USE
OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT REV-
ENUE.—Section 808 of the Federal Lands Recreation En-
hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6807) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3)(F), by striking ‘‘section 
6(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 806(a)’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) 
as subsections (c) through (e), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) USE OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEE 
REVENUE.—Revenue from a special recreation permit fee 
may be used for— 
‘‘(1) the purposes described in subsection (a); 
and 
‘‘(2) expenses— 
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‘‘(A) associated with issuing and admin-
istering special recreation permits; and 
‘‘(B) incurred in the improvement of the 
operation of the special recreation permit sys-
tem.’’. 
(d) PERMANENT AUTHORIZATION.—Section 810 of 
the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6809) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The authority’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), the authority’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall not apply 
to— 
‘‘(1) section 802; 
‘‘(2) subsection (d)(2) or (h) of section 803; or 
‘‘(3) subsection (a), (b) or (c) of section 808.’’. 
SEC. 103. PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To simplify the process of the 
issuance and renewal of special recreation permits and re-
duce the cost of administering special recreation permits, 
the Secretary concerned shall— 
(1) not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act— 
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(A) evaluate the special recreation permit-
ting process; and 
(B) identify opportunities— 
(i) to eliminate duplicative processes; 
(ii) to reduce costs; and 
(iii) to decrease processing times; and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the Secretary concerned completes the evalua-
tion and identification processes under paragraph 
(1), revise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations 
and policy statements to implement the improve-
ments identified under paragraph (1)(B). 
(b) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
concerned shall— 
(A) evaluate whether 1 or more additional 
categorical exclusions developed in compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) would reduce 
processing times or costs for the issuance or re-
newal of special recreation permits without sig-
nificantly affecting the human environment; 
and 
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(B) if the Secretary concerned determines 
under subparagraph (A) that 1 or more addi-
tional categorical exclusions would reduce proc-
essing times or costs for the issuance or re-
newal of special recreation permits without sig-
nificantly affecting the human environment— 
(i) establish those categorical exclu-
sions in compliance with the National En-
vironmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.); 
(ii) fully document that a category of 
actions will not individually or cumulatively 
have a significant effect on the human en-
vironment; and 
(iii) revise relevant agency regulations 
and policy statements to implement those 
categorical exclusions. 
(2) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In administering a cat-
egorical exclusion established under paragraph 
(1)(B), the Secretary concerned shall comply 
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (including regu-
lations promulgated pursuant to that Act). 
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(B) EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES.— 
In determining whether to use a categorical ex-
clusion established under paragraph (1)(B), the 
Secretary concerned shall apply, as applicable, 
the extraordinary circumstances procedures de-
scribed in— 
(i) section 220.6 of title 36, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or a successor regula-
tion); and 
(ii) section 46.215 of title 43, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or a successor regula-
tion). 
(c) NEEDS
ASSESSMENTS.—Except as required 
under subsection (c) or (d) of section 4 of the Wilderness 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1133), the Secretary concerned shall not 
conduct a needs assessment as a condition of issuing a 
special recreation permit for a Federal land unit under 
this Act. 
(d) ONLINE APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall make applications for special recreation per-
mits available to be completed and submitted online unless 
the Secretary concerned determines that making applica-
tions for special recreation permits available to be com-
pleted and submitted online would not improve the effi-
ciency or accessibility of the permitting process. 
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SEC. 104. PERMIT FLEXIBILITY. 
(a) SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary concerned 
shall establish a permit administration protocol that au-
thorizes, to the maximum extent practicable, a permittee 
issued a special recreation permit for a Federal land unit 
under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recreation En-
hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(h)) to engage in a rec-
reational activity that is substantially similar to the spe-
cific activity authorized under the special recreation per-
mit, if the substantially similar recreational activity— 
(1) is comparable in type, nature, scope, and 
ecological setting to the specific activity authorized 
under the special recreation permit; 
(2) does not result in a greater impact on nat-
ural and cultural resources than the authorized ac-
tivity; 
(3) does not adversely affect any other per-
mittee issued a special recreation permit for a Fed-
eral land unit under that subsection; 
(4) does not involve the use of a motor for a 
previously non-motorized use; and 
(5) is consistent with any laws and regulations 
(including land use or management plans) applying 
to a Federal land unit. 
(b) VOLUNTARY RETURN
OF SURPLUS SERVICE 
DAYS.—The Secretary concerned shall establish a pro-
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gram to allow a permittee issued a special recreation per-
mit for a Federal land unit to voluntarily and temporarily 
return to the Secretary concerned 1 or more surplus serv-
ice days, to be made available to any other existing or po-
tential permittee. 
(c) FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MAN-
AGEMENT
TEMPORARY
SPECIAL
RECREATION
PER-
MITS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary concerned shall establish and implement a 
program to authorize the issuance of temporary spe-
cial recreation permits for new or additional rec-
reational uses of Federal recreational land and water 
managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of 
Land Management. 
(2) TERM OF TEMPORARY PERMITS.—A tem-
porary special recreation permit issued under para-
graph (1) shall be issued for a period of not more 
than 2 years. 
(3) CONVERSION TO LONG-TERM PERMIT.—If 
the Secretary concerned determines that a permittee 
under paragraph (1) has completed 2 years of satis-
factory operation under the permit proposed to be 
converted, the Secretary may provide for the conver-
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sion of a temporary special recreation permit issued 
under paragraph (1) to a long-term special recre-
ation permit. 
(4) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection alters 
or affects the authority of the Secretary to issue a 
special recreation permit under subsection (h)(1) of 
section 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation En-
hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(h)(1)). 
SEC. 105. PERMIT ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) PERMIT AVAILABILITY.— 
(1) NOTIFICATION OF PERMIT AVAILABILITY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraphs (B) and (C), if the Secretary 
concerned has determined that the Department 
of Agriculture or the Department of the Inte-
rior, as applicable, is able to issue new special 
recreation permits to recreation service pro-
viders seeking to use a Federal land unit, the 
Secretary concerned shall publish that informa-
tion on the website of the agency that admin-
isters the relevant Federal land unit. 
(B) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN PERMITS.— 
With respect to a Federal land unit managed by 
the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Man-
agement, subparagraph (A) shall apply only to 
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a long-term special recreation permit for the 
Federal land unit. 
(C) EXCEPTION
FOR
RENEWALS
AND 
REISSUANCES.—Subparagraph (A) shall not 
apply to— 
(i) a renewal or reissuance of an exist-
ing special recreation permit; or 
(ii) a new special recreation permit 
issued to the purchaser of a recreation 
service provider that is the holder of an ex-
isting special recreation permit. 
(D) EFFECT.—Nothing in this paragraph 
creates a prerequisite to the issuance of a spe-
cial recreation permit or otherwise limits the 
authority of the Secretary concerned— 
(i) to issue a new special recreation 
permit; 
(ii) to add a new or additional use to 
an existing special recreation permit; or 
(iii) to make special recreation per-
mits available to members of the public. 
(2) UPDATES.—The Secretary concerned shall 
ensure that information published on the website 
under this subsection is consistently updated to pro-
vide current and correct information to the public. 
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(3) ELECTRONIC
MAIL
NOTIFICATION.—The 
Secretary concerned shall— 
(A) establish a system by which potential 
special recreation permit applicants may sub-
scribe to receive notification of the availability 
of special recreation permits by electronic mail; 
and 
(B) direct employees of the Department of 
Agriculture or the Department of the Interior, 
as applicable, to use that system to notify the 
public of the availability of special recreation 
permits. 
(b) PERMIT APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT.—Not 
later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary 
of the Interior receives a completed application or the Sec-
retary of Agriculture receives a complete proposal for a 
special recreation permit for a Federal land unit, the Sec-
retary concerned shall— 
(1) provide to the applicant notice acknowl-
edging receipt of the application or proposal; and 
(2)(A) issue a final decision with respect to the 
application or proposal; or 
(B) provide to the applicant notice of a pro-
jected date for a final decision on the application or 
proposal. 
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SEC. 106. PERMITS FOR MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TRIPS. 
(a) SINGLE
JOINT
SPECIAL
RECREATION
PER-
MITS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a multijuris-
dictional trip, the Federal land management agen-
cies with jurisdiction over the multijurisdictional trip 
may offer to the applicant a single joint special 
recreation permit that authorizes the use of each 
Federal land unit under the jurisdiction of those 
Federal land management agencies. 
(2) LEAD AGENCY.—In offering a single joint 
special recreation permit under paragraph (1), the 
applicable Federal land management agencies shall 
designate a lead agency for administering the single 
joint special recreation permit based on the following 
considerations: 
(A) The length of the multijurisdictional 
trip and the relative portions of the multijuris-
dictional trip on each Federal land unit. 
(B) The congressional or administrative 
designations that apply to the areas to be used 
during the multijurisdictional trip and the de-
gree to which those designations impose limita-
tions on recreational use. 
(C) The relative ability of the Federal land 
management agencies with jurisdiction over the 
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multijurisdictional trip to respond to the single 
joint special recreation permit application in a 
timely manner. 
(D) Other relevant administrative consider-
ations. 
(3) APPLICATION.—An applicant desiring to be 
offered a single joint special recreation permit under 
paragraph (1) shall submit to the lead agency an ap-
plication, as required by the lead agency. 
(4) OPTION
TO
APPLY
FOR
SEPARATE
PER-
MITS.—An applicant for a special recreation permit 
for a multijurisdictional trip may apply to each ap-
plicable Federal land management agency for a sep-
arate permit for the portion of the multijuris-
dictional trip on the Federal land unit managed by 
each applicable Federal land management agency. 
(5) PROHIBITIONS.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to allow an activity that would 
otherwise be prohibited on the Federal land unit 
where the activity would take place. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In issuing a single joint special 
recreation permit under subsection (a), the lead agency 
shall— 
(1) coordinate with each associated agency, con-
sistent with the authority of the Secretary concerned 
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under section 330 of the Department of the Interior 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (43 
U.S.C. 1703), to develop and issue 1 joint permit 
that covers the entirety of the multijurisdictional 
trip; 
(2) in processing the joint special recreation 
permit application, incorporate the findings, inter-
ests, and needs of the associated agency; 
(3) in issuing the joint special recreation per-
mit, clearly identify the agencies that have the au-
thority to enforce the terms, stipulations, conditions 
and agreements of the joint special recreation per-
mit, as determined under subsection (d); and 
(4) complete the permitting process within a 
reasonable timeframe. 
(c) COST RECOVERY.—The coordination with the as-
sociated agency under subsection (b) shall not be subject 
to cost recovery. 
(d) ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.— 
(1) DELEGATION
OF
AUTHORITY
TO
LEAD 
AGENCY.—In administering a single joint special 
recreation permit under subsection (a), the associ-
ated agency shall delegate to the lead agency the au-
thority— 
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(A) to enforce the terms, stipulations, con-
ditions, and agreements of the joint special 
recreation permit, as may be required by the 
regulations of the Secretary of the associated 
agency; and 
(B) to suspend, terminate, or revoke the 
joint special recreation permit for— 
(i) noncompliance with Federal, State, 
or local laws and regulations; 
(ii) noncompliance with the terms of 
the joint special recreation permit; or 
(iii) failure of the holder of the joint 
special recreation permit to exercise the 
privileges granted by the joint special 
recreation permit. 
(2) RETENTION OF AUTHORITY BY THE ASSOCI-
ATED AGENCY.—The associated agency shall retain 
the authority to enforce the terms, stipulations, con-
ditions, and agreements in the joint special recre-
ation permit that apply specifically to the use occur-
ring on the Federal land unit managed by the asso-
ciated agency. 
(e) WITHDRAWAL.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The lead agency or an asso-
ciated agency may withdraw from a joint special 
recreation permit at any time. 
(2) ISSUANCE OF SEPARATE PERMITS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a with-
drawal by 1 or more agencies under paragraph 
(1), if the holder of the joint special recreation 
permit is in compliance with the requirements 
of the joint special recreation permit, the lead 
agency and each associated agency shall issue 
to the holder of the joint special recreation per-
mit a new, separate special recreation permit 
for any use occurring on the Federal land unit 
managed by the agency. 
(B) NO NEW APPLICATION.—The holder of 
a joint special recreation permit from which an 
agency has withdrawn under paragraph (1) 
shall not be required to submit a new applica-
tion for a separate special recreation permit 
under subparagraph (A). 
(f) TREATMENT OF FEDERAL LAND UNITS CHARG-
ING ENTRANCE FEES.—Entrance fees may still be col-
lected in addition to any special recreation permit fees for 
any trip that originates on, or outside of but passes 
through, a Federal lands unit that charges such fees. 
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SEC. 107. FOREST SERVICE PERMIT USE REVIEWS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Agriculture 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) conducts 
a special recreation permit use review in renewing a spe-
cial recreation permit or adjusting allocations of use in 
a special recreation permit, the Secretary shall— 
(1) take into consideration the performance of 
the special recreation permit holder during the re-
viewed period; and 
(2) if the special recreation permit holder re-
ceives a satisfactory performance review, allocate to 
the special recreation permit holder the highest level 
of actual annual use during the period under review 
plus 25 percent of that use, not to exceed the level 
allocated to the special recreation permit holder on 
the date on which the special recreation permit was 
issued. 
(b) ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If additional use capacity is 
available the Secretary may, at any time, assign ad-
ditional use capacity to 1 or more qualified recre-
ation service providers. 
(2) ASSIGNMENT
NOT
SUBJECT
TO
CAP
ON 
USE.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), in assigning 
additional use capacity under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary may assign additional use capacity to an 
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existing special recreation permit holder even if that 
assignment would exceed the amount of use allo-
cated to the special recreation permit holder on the 
date on which the special recreation permit was 
issued. 
(c) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive a special 
recreation permit use review for any period during which 
use of the assigned capacity has been prevented by a cir-
cumstance beyond the control of the special recreation per-
mit holder, such as— 
(1) unfavorable weather; 
(2) fire; 
(3) natural disaster; 
(4) wildlife displacement; 
(5) business interruption; 
(6) insufficient availability of hunting and fish-
ing licenses; or 
(7) significant seasonal variability or off-peak 
periods within the allocated period of use. 
(d) APPROVAL OF NON-USE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In any circumstance for 
which the holder of a special recreation permit would 
qualify for a waiver under subsection (c), on request 
of the holder of the special recreation permit, the 
Secretary may approve non-use by the holder of the 
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special recreation permit without reducing the num-
ber of service days assigned to the special recreation 
permit. 
(2) TEMPORARY REASSIGNMENT OF USE.—The 
Secretary may temporarily assign any period of non- 
use approved under paragraph (1) to any other ex-
isting or potential permittee. 
SEC. 108. LIABILITY. 
(a) EXCULPATORY AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A Federal land management 
agency shall not implement, administer, or enforce 
any regulation, guidance, or policy regarding the use 
of an exculpatory agreement between a special recre-
ation permit holder and a customer of the special 
recreation permit holder relating to services provided 
under a special recreation permit. 
(2) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sub-
section preempts, displaces, modifies, or eliminates 
any State law (including common law) regarding ex-
culpatory agreements. 
(b) INDEMNIFICATION
BY
GOVERNMENT
ENTI-
TIES.—The Secretary concerned may not require a recre-
ation service provider to indemnify the United States as 
a condition for issuing a special recreation permit for a 
Federal land unit under this section 803(h) of the Federal 
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Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(h)) 
if— 
(1) the recreation service provider is prohibited 
by State or local law from providing indemnification 
to the United States; and 
(2) the recreation service provider— 
(A) carries the minimum amount of liabil-
ity insurance coverage required by the issuing 
agency for the activities conducted under the 
special recreation permit; or 
(B) is self-insured for the same amount. 
SEC. 109. COST RECOVERY REFORM. 
(a) REVISION OF REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Agriculture shall revise section 251.58 of title 36, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and the Secretary of 
the Interior shall revise subsections (e) and (f) of 
section 2932.31 of title 43, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, to be consistent with this section. 
(2) LIMITATION.—In carrying out paragraph 
(1), the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary 
of the Interior shall not include anything in the re-
vised regulations that would limit the authority of 
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the Secretary concerned to issue or renew special 
recreation permits. 
(b) DE MINIMIS EXEMPTION FROM COST RECOV-
ERY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any regulation promulgated 
by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of 
Agriculture to establish fees to recover the costs of 
processing an application for a special recreation 
permit issued by the U.S. Forest Service or the Bu-
reau of Land Management, or for monitoring an au-
thorization under a special recreation permit issued 
by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Man-
agement, shall include an exemption providing that 
fees may not be recovered for not less than the first 
50 hours of work necessary in any 1 year to process 
the application or monitor the authorization. 
(2) MULTIPLE
APPLICATIONS.—In situations 
involving multiple applications for special recreation 
permits issued by the Forest Service or the Bureau 
of Land Management for similar services in the 
same Federal land unit or area that, in the aggre-
gate, require more hours to process than are exempt 
under the regulations promulgated under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary concerned shall, regardless of 
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whether the applications are solicited or unsolicited 
and whether there is competitive interest— 
(A) determine the share of the aggregate 
quantity of hours to be allocated to each appli-
cation on an equal or prorated basis, as appro-
priate; and 
(B) for each application, apply a separate 
exemption as specified in the regulations pro-
mulgated under paragraph (1) to the share of 
the aggregate hours allocated to the application. 
(c) COST REDUCTION.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the agency processing an application for a spe-
cial recreation permit shall use existing studies and anal-
ysis to reduce the quantity of work and costs necessary 
to process the application. 
SEC. 110. EXTENSION OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), if the 
holder of a long-term special recreation permit makes a 
timely and sufficient request for renewal of the long-term 
special recreation permit, the expiration of the permit 
shall be tolled in accordance with the undesignated matter 
following section 558(c)(2) of title 5, United States Code, 
until such time as the request for renewal has been finally 
determined by the Secretary concerned. 
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(b) LIMITATION.—Any tolling under subsection (a) 
shall be for a period of not more than 5 years. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITY
OF
THE
SECRETARY
CON-
CERNED.—Before allowing the expiration of a permit to 
be tolled under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned, 
to the maximum extent practicable, shall complete the re-
newal process. 
SEC. 111. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE RECRE-
ATION PASSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Lands Recreation 
Enhancement Act is amended by inserting after section 
805 (16 U.S.C. 6804) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 805A. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE RECRE-
ATION PASSES. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To improve the availability 
of Federal and State outdoor recreation passes, the 
Secretaries are encouraged to consult with States to 
coordinate the availability of Federal and State 
recreation passes to allow a purchaser to buy a Fed-
eral recreation pass and a State recreation pass in 
the same transaction. 
‘‘(2) INCLUDED
PASSES.—Passes covered by 
the program established under paragraph (1) in-
clude— 
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‘‘(A) an America the Beautiful—the Na-
tional Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 
Pass under section 805; and 
‘‘(B) any pass covering any fees charged 
by participating States and localities for en-
trance and recreational use of parks and public 
land in the participating States. 
‘‘(b) AGREEMENTS WITH STATES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries, after con-
sultation with the States, may enter into agreements 
with States to coordinate the availability of passes 
as described in subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) REVENUE FROM PASS SALES.—The agree-
ments between the Secretaries and the States shall 
ensure that— 
‘‘(A) funds from the sale of State passes 
are transferred to the appropriate State agency; 
‘‘(B) funds from the sale of Federal passes 
are transferred to the appropriate Federal 
agency; and 
‘‘(C) fund transfers are completed by the 
end of a fiscal year for all pass sales occurring 
during the fiscal year. 
‘‘(3) NOTICE.—In entering into an agreement 
under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall publish in 
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the Federal Register a notice describing the agree-
ment.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
for the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 805 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 805A. Availability of Federal and State recreation passes.’’. 
SEC. 112. ONLINE PURCHASES OF AMERICA THE BEAU-
TIFUL—THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL 
RECREATIONAL LANDS PASS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 805(a)(6) of the Federal 
Lands 
Recreation 
Enhancement 
Act 
(16 
U.S.C. 
6804(a)(6)) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall 
sell the America the Beautiful—the National 
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass— 
‘‘(i) at all Federal recreational lands 
and waters at which an entrance fee or a 
standard amenity recreation fee is charged 
where feasible to do so; 
‘‘(ii) at such other locations as the 
Secretaries consider appropriate and fea-
sible; and 
‘‘(iii) through the website of each of 
the Federal land management agencies and 
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the websites of the relevant units and 
subunits of those agencies, with— 
‘‘(I) a prominent link on each 
website; and 
‘‘(II) information about where 
and when passes are needed.’’. 
(b) ENTRANCE PASS AND AMENITY FEES.—The Sec-
retaries shall make available for payment online, if appro-
priate and feasible, for each Federal land unit where 
passes and fees are required— 
(1) all entrance fees under section 803(e) of the 
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6802(e)); 
(2) all standard amenity recreation fees under 
section 803(f) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(f)); and 
(3) all expanded amenity recreation fees under 
section 803(g) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(g)). 
SEC. 113. SAVINGS PROVISION. 
Nothing in this Act, or in any amendment made by 
this Act, shall be construed as affecting the authority or 
responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior to award 
concessions contracts for the provision of accommodations, 
facilities, and services, or commercial use authorizations 
to provide services, to visitors to units of the National 
Park System pursuant to the National Park Service Con-
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cessions Management Improvement Act of 1998, except 
that sections 103(a), 103(b), 103(d), 104(a), 104(b), 106, 
108(a), and 108(b) of this Act shall also apply to commer-
cial use authorizations under that Act. 
TITLE II—MAKING RECREATION 
A PRIORITY 
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF SEASONAL RECREATION OPPOR-
TUNITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) EXTENSION OF RECREATIONAL SEASON.— 
The relevant unit managers of Federal recreational 
lands and waters managed by the Forest Service, 
the Bureau of Land Management, and the National 
Park Service may— 
(A) identify areas of Federal recreational 
lands and waters in which recreation use is 
highly seasonal; 
(B) where appropriate, extend the recre-
ation season or increase recreation use in a sus-
tainable manner during the offseason; and 
(C) make information about extended sea-
son schedules and related recreational opportu-
nities available to the public and local commu-
nities. 
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(2) CLARIFICATION.—Nothing in this sub-
section precludes the Secretaries from providing for 
additional recreational opportunities and uses at 
times other than those referred to in paragraph (1). 
(b) INCLUSIONS.—An extension under subsection 
(a)(1) may include— 
(1) the addition of facilities that would increase 
recreation use during the offseason; and 
(2) improvement of access to the area to extend 
the season. 
(c) REQUIREMENT.—An extension under subsection 
(a)(1) shall be compatible with all applicable Federal laws, 
regulations, and policies, including land use plans. 
SEC. 202. RECREATION PERFORMANCE METRICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Chief of the Forest Service 
and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall 
evaluate land managers under their jurisdiction based on 
the achievement of applicable agency recreational and 
tourism metrics as described in applicable land manage-
ment plans. 
(b) METRICS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The metrics used to evaluate 
recreation and tourism outcomes shall ensure— 
(A) the advancement of recreation and 
tourism goals; and 
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(B) the ability of the land manager to en-
hance the outdoor experience of the visitor. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The metrics referred to in 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) the extent of positive economic im-
pacts; 
(B) visitation by families; 
(C) the number of visiting school and 
youth groups; 
(D) the number of available recreational 
opportunities; 
(E) the quality of visitor experience; 
(F) the number of recreational and envi-
ronmental educational programs offered; 
(G) visitor satisfaction; and 
(H) the maintenance and expansion of ex-
isting recreation infrastructure. 
TITLE III—MAINTENANCE OF 
PUBLIC LAND 
SEC. 301. PRIVATE-SECTOR VOLUNTEER ENHANCEMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to pro-
mote private-sector volunteer programs within the Depart-
ment of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture 
to enhance stewardship, recreation access, and sustain-
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ability of the resources, values, and facilities of the Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters managed by the Federal 
land management agencies. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec-
retary concerned’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture (acting 
through the Chief of the Forest Service), with 
respect to National Forest System land; and 
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re-
spect to land managed by the Bureau of Land 
Management. 
(2) VOLUNTEER.—The term ‘‘volunteer’’ means 
any individual who performs volunteer services under 
this section. 
(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary concerned 
shall carry out a program under which the Secretary con-
cerned shall— 
(1) enhance private-sector volunteer programs; 
(2) actively promote private-sector volunteer op-
portunities; and 
(3) provide outreach to, and coordinate with, 
the private sector for the purposes described in para-
graphs (1) and (2). 
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(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR STEWARDSHIP 
OF FEDERAL LAND.— 
(1) AUTHORITY
TO
ENTER
INTO
AGREE-
MENTS.—The Secretary concerned may enter into 
cooperative agreements (in accordance with section 
6305 of title 31, United States Code) with private 
agencies, organizations, institutions, corporations, 
individuals, or other entities to carry out one or 
more projects or programs with a Federal land man-
agement agency in accordance with this section. 
(2) PROJECT AND PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS.— 
The Secretary concerned shall include in the cooper-
ative agreement the desired outcomes of the project 
or program and the guidelines for the volunteers to 
follow, including— 
(A) the physical boundaries of the project 
or program; 
(B) the equipment the volunteers are au-
thorized to use to complete the project or pro-
gram; 
(C) the training the volunteers are re-
quired to complete, including agency consider-
ation and incorporation of training offered by 
qualified nongovernmental organizations and 
volunteer partner organizations; 
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(D) the actions the volunteers are author-
ized to take to complete the project or program; 
and 
(E) any other information that the Sec-
retary concerned determines necessary for the 
volunteer group to complete the project or pro-
gram. 
(3) AUTHORIZED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS.— 
Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary concerned 
may use a cooperative agreement to carry out 
projects and programs for Federal land that— 
(A) promote the stewardship of resources 
of Federal land by volunteers; 
(B) support maintaining the resources, 
trails, and facilities on Federal land in a sus-
tainable manner; 
(C) increase awareness, understanding, 
and stewardship of Federal land through the 
development, publication, or distribution of edu-
cational materials and products; and 
(D) promote the use of Federal land as 
outdoor classrooms. 
(4) CONDITIONS ON USE OF AUTHORITY.—The 
Secretary concerned may use a cooperative agree-
ment under paragraph (1) to carry out a project or 
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program for the Federal land only if the project or 
program— 
(A) complies with all Federal laws (includ-
ing regulations) and policies; 
(B) is consistent with an applicable man-
agement plan for any Federal recreational lands 
and waters involved; 
(C) is monitored by the relevant Federal 
land management agency during the project 
and after project completion to determine com-
pliance with the instructions under paragraph 
(2); and 
(D) satisfies such other terms and condi-
tions as the Secretary concerned determines to 
be appropriate. 
SEC. 302. ENHANCING OUTDOOR RECREATION THROUGH 
PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. 
In carrying out projects on Federal recreational lands 
and waters that would directly or indirectly enhance recre-
ation, the Secretaries shall— 
(1) to the maximum extent practicable— 
(A) use qualified youth or conservation 
corps as defined in section 203(11) of the Pub-
lic Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 
1722(11)); and 
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(B) use non-profit wilderness and trails 
stewardship organizations; 
(2) enter into cooperative agreements with the 
Corps Network, the National Wilderness Steward-
ship Alliance, American Trails, and other public 
lands stewardship organizations, as appropriate, for 
the purpose of identifying appropriate projects, ac-
tivities, and workforce development outcomes; and 
(3) waive any matching funds requirements, in-
cluding under section 212(a)(1) of the Public Lands 
Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1729(a)(1)). 
Æ 
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