I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6553 
To clarify the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture regarding additional 
recreational uses of National Forest System lands subject to ski area permits. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 17, 2008 
Mr. UDALL of Colorado introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Nat-
ural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To clarify the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture re-
garding additional recreational uses of National Forest 
System lands subject to ski area permits. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
(1) It is in the national interest to provide, and 
encourage Americans to take advantage of, opportu-
nities during all four seasons to engage in outdoor 
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recreational activities that can contribute to their 
health and well-being. 
(2) Under current law, National Forest System 
lands are managed in ways that not only encourage 
understanding and appreciation of nature and the 
importance of conserving natural resources, but also 
provide year-round opportunities for natural re-
source-based outdoor developed recreation outside of 
urban settings. 
(3) Increasing the extent to which National 
Forest System lands can provide opportunities for 
outdoor recreational activities will make it possible 
for more Americans to engage in such activities. 
(4) National Forest System lands used for ski-
ing and other snow-sports can provide additional op-
portunities for seasonal and year-round recreational 
activities. 
(5) Authorizing increased use of some National 
Forest System lands for such additional activities 
and associated facilities can reduce the impact of 
such activities and facilities on other National For-
est System lands. 
(6) It is desirable to revise the National Forest 
Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to reflect that snow- 
sports other than nordic and alpine skiing may occur 
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on National Forest System lands subject to ski area 
permits and to clarify the authority of the Secretary 
of Agriculture to permit appropriate additional sea-
sonal or year-round recreational activities and facili-
ties on such lands. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to amend 
the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to re-
flect that snow-sports other than nordic and alpine skiing 
may occur on National Forest System lands subject to ski 
area permits and to clarify the authority of the Secretary 
of Agriculture to permit appropriate additional seasonal 
or year-round recreational uses of lands subject to ski area 
permits under such Act. 
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL FOREST SKI AREA 
PERMIT ACT OF 1986. 
Section 3 of the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act 
of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 497b) is amended as follows: 
(1) In subsection (a), by striking ‘‘nordic and 
alpine ski areas and facilities’’ and inserting ‘‘ski 
areas and associated facilities’’. 
(2) In subsection (b), by striking ‘‘nordic and 
alpine skiing operations and purposes’’ and inserting 
‘‘skiing and other snow-sports and such other sea-
sonal or year-round recreational activities associated 
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(5) In subsection (d), as redesignated, by— 
(A) striking ‘‘Within one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘The’’; and 
(B) striking ‘‘within 3 years of the date of 
enactment of this Act’’. 
SEC. 3. OTHER LAWS. 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting 
any authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, including 
authority with respect to recreational activities or facilities 
on National Forest System lands, under any law other 
than the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986. 
Æ 
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