149 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘special 
recreation permit’ means a permit issued by a 
Federal land management agency for the use of 
Federal recreational lands and waters— 
‘‘(i) for a specialized recreational use 
not described in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), 
such as— 
‘‘(I) an organizational camp; 
‘‘(II) a single event that does not 
require an entry or participation fee 
that is not strictly a sharing of ex-
penses for the purposes of the event; 
and 
‘‘(III) participation by the public 
in a recreation activity or recreation 
use of a specific area of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters in which 
use by the public is allocated; 
‘‘(ii) for a large-group activity or 
event of 75 participants or more; 
‘‘(iii) for— 
‘‘(I) at the discretion of the Sec-
retary, a single organized group recre-
ation activity or event (including an 
activity or event in which motorized
150 
recreational vehicles are used or in 
which outfitting and guiding services 
are used) that— 
‘‘(aa) is a structured or 
scheduled event or activity; 
‘‘(bb) is not competitive and 
is for fewer than 75 participants; 
‘‘(cc) may charge an entry 
or participation fee; 
‘‘(dd) involves fewer than 
200 visitor-use days; and 
‘‘(ee) is undertaken or pro-
vided by the recreation service 
provider at the same site not 
more frequently than 3 times a 
year; 
‘‘(II) a single competitive event; 
or 
‘‘(III) at the discretion of the 
Secretary, 
a 
recurring 
organized 
group recreation activity (including an 
outfitting and guiding activity) that— 
‘‘(aa) is a structured or 
scheduled activity; 
‘‘(bb) is not competitive;
151 
‘‘(cc) may charge a partici-
pation fee; 
‘‘(dd) occurs in a group size 
of fewer than 7 participants; 
‘‘(ee) involves fewer than 40 
visitor-use days; and 
‘‘(ff) is undertaken or pro-
vided by the recreation service 
provider for a term of not more 
than 180 days; or 
‘‘(iv) for— 
‘‘(I) a recurring outfitting, guid-
ing, or, at the discretion of the Sec-
retary, other recreation service, the 
authorization for which is for a term 
of not more than 10 years; or 
‘‘(II) a recurring outfitting, guid-
ing, or, at the discretion of the Sec-
retary, other recreation service, that 
occurs under a temporary special 
recreation permit authorized under 
section 316 of the EXPLORE Act. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘special 
recreation permit’ does not include—
152 
‘‘(i) a concession contract for the pro-
vision of accommodations, facilities, or 
services; 
‘‘(ii) a commercial use authorization 
issued under section 101925 of title 54, 
United States Code; or 
‘‘(iii) any other type of permit, includ-
ing a special use permit administered by 
the National Park Service.’’; and 
(11) by inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘(16) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, and 
each territory of the United States.’’. 
(b) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS AND FEES.— 
Section 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhance-
ment Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ‘‘section 
4(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 804(d)’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(h) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS AND FEES.— 
‘‘(1) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS.— 
‘‘(A) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary—
153 
‘‘(i) may develop and make available 
to the public an application to obtain a 
special recreation permit described in 
clause (i) of section 802(13)(A); and 
‘‘(ii) shall develop and make available 
to the public an application to obtain a 
special recreation permit described in each 
of clauses (ii) through (iv) of section 
802(13)(A). 
‘‘(B) ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.—On review 
of a completed application developed under sub-
paragraph (A), as applicable, and a determina-
tion by the Secretary that the applicant is eligi-
ble for the special recreation permit, the Sec-
retary may issue to the applicant a special 
recreation permit, subject to any terms and 
conditions that are determined to be necessary 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) INCIDENTAL SALES.—A special recre-
ation permit issued under this paragraph may 
include an authorization for sales that are inci-
dental in nature to the permitted use of the 
Federal recreational lands and waters, except 
where otherwise prohibited by law. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEES.—
154 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
charge a special recreation permit fee for the 
issuance of a special recreation permit in ac-
cordance with this paragraph. 
‘‘(B) PREDETERMINED
SPECIAL
RECRE-
ATION PERMIT FEES.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—For purposes of 
subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this para-
graph, the Secretary shall establish and 
may charge a predetermined fee, described 
in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, for a 
special recreation permit described in 
clause (iii) or (iv) of section 802(13)(A) 
for a specific type of use on a unit of Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters, con-
sistent with the criteria set forth in clause 
(iii) of this subparagraph. 
‘‘(ii) TYPE OF FEE.—A predetermined 
fee described in clause (i) shall be— 
‘‘(I) a fixed fee that is assessed 
per special recreation permit, includ-
ing a fee with an associated size limi-
tation or other criteria as determined 
to be appropriate by the Secretary; or
155 
‘‘(II) an amount assessed per vis-
itor-use day. 
‘‘(iii) CRITERIA.—A predetermined fee 
under clause (i) shall— 
‘‘(I) have been established before 
the date of the enactment of the EX-
PLORE Act; 
‘‘(II) be established after the 
date of the enactment of the EX-
PLORE Act, in accordance with sub-
section (b); 
‘‘(III)(aa) be established after 
the date of the enactment of the EX-
PLORE Act; and 
‘‘(bb) 
be 
comparable 
to 
an 
amount described in subparagraph 
(D)(ii) or (E)(ii), as applicable; or 
‘‘(IV) beginning on the date that 
is 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of the EXPLORE Act, be $6 
per visitor-use day in instances in 
which the Secretary has not estab-
lished a predetermined fee under sub-
clause (I), (II), or (III).
156 
‘‘(C) CALCULATION OF FEES FOR SPECIAL-
IZED RECREATIONAL USES AND LARGE-GROUP 
ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS.—The Secretary may, 
at the discretion of the Secretary, establish and 
charge a fee for a special recreation permit de-
scribed in clause (i) or (ii) of section 
802(13)(A). 
‘‘(D) CALCULATION OF FEES FOR SINGLE 
ORGANIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITIES OR 
EVENTS, COMPETITIVE EVENTS, AND CERTAIN 
RECURRING
ORGANIZED
GROUP
RECREATION 
ACTIVITIES.—If the Secretary elects to charge a 
fee for a special recreation permit described in 
section 802(13)(A)(iii), the Secretary shall 
charge the recreation service provider, based on 
the election of the recreation service provider— 
‘‘(i) the applicable predetermined fee 
established under subparagraph (B); or 
‘‘(ii) an amount equal to a percentage 
of, to be determined by the Secretary, but 
to not to exceed 5 percent of, adjusted 
gross receipts calculated under subpara-
graph (F). 
‘‘(E) CALCULATION
OF
FEES
FOR
TEM-
PORARY PERMITS AND LONG-TERM PERMITS.—
157 
Subject to subparagraph (G), if the Secretary 
elects to charge a fee for a special recreation 
permit described in section 802(13)(A)(iv), the 
Secretary shall charge the recreation service 
provider, based on the election of the recreation 
service provider— 
‘‘(i) the applicable predetermined fee 
established under subparagraph (B); or 
‘‘(ii) an amount equal to a percentage 
of, to be determined by the Secretary, but 
not to exceed 3 percent of, adjusted gross 
receipts calculated under subparagraph 
(F). 
‘‘(F) ADJUSTED
GROSS
RECEIPTS.—For 
the purposes of subparagraphs (D)(ii) and 
(E)(ii), the Secretary shall calculate the ad-
justed gross receipts collected for each trip or 
event authorized under a special recreation per-
mit, using either of the following calculations, 
based on the election of the recreation service 
provider: 
‘‘(i) The sum of— 
‘‘(I) the product obtained by mul-
tiplying—
158 
‘‘(aa) the general amount 
paid by participants of the trip or 
event to the recreation service 
provider for the applicable trip or 
event (excluding amounts related 
to goods, souvenirs, merchandise, 
gear, and additional food pro-
vided or sold by the recreation 
service provider); and 
‘‘(bb) the quotient obtained 
by dividing— 
‘‘(AA) the number of 
days of the trip or event 
that occurred on Federal 
recreational 
lands 
and 
waters covered by the special 
recreation permit, rounded 
to the nearest whole day; by 
‘‘(BB) the total number 
of days of the trip or event; 
and 
‘‘(II) the amount of any addi-
tional revenue received by the recre-
ation service provider for an add-on 
activity or an optional excursion that
159 
occurred on the Federal recreational 
lands and waters covered by the spe-
cial recreation permit. 
‘‘(ii) The difference between— 
‘‘(I) the total cost paid by the 
participants of the trip or event for 
the trip or event to the recreation 
service provider, including any addi-
tional revenue received by the recre-
ation service provider for an add-on 
activity or an optional excursion that 
occurred on the Federal recreational 
lands and waters covered by the spe-
cial recreation permit; and 
‘‘(II) the sum of— 
‘‘(aa) the amount of any 
revenues from goods, souvenirs, 
merchandise, gear, and additional 
food provided or sold by the 
recreation service provider to the 
participants of the applicable trip 
or event; 
‘‘(bb) the amount of any 
costs or revenues from services 
and activities provided or sold by
160 
the recreation service provider to 
the participants of the trip or 
event that occurred in a location 
other than the Federal rec-
reational lands and waters cov-
ered by the special recreation 
permit (including costs for travel 
and lodging outside the Federal 
recreational lands and waters 
covered by the special recreation 
permit); and 
‘‘(cc) the amount of any rev-
enues from any service provided 
by a recreation service provider 
for an activity on Federal rec-
reational lands and waters that is 
not covered by the special recre-
ation permit. 
‘‘(G) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding sub-
paragraph (E), the Secretary may charge a 
recreation service provider a minimum annual 
fee for a special recreation permit described in 
section 802(13)(A)(iv). 
‘‘(H) SAVINGS CLAUSES.—
161 
‘‘(i) EFFECT.—Nothing in this para-
graph affects any fee for— 
‘‘(I) a concession contract admin-
istered by the National Park Service 
or the United States Fish and Wild-
life Service for the provision of accom-
modations, facilities, or services; or 
‘‘(II) a commercial use authoriza-
tion or special use permit for use of 
Federal recreational lands and waters 
managed by the National Park Serv-
ice. 
‘‘(ii) COST
RECOVERY.—Nothing in 
this paragraph affects the ability of the 
Secretary to recover any administrative 
costs under section 320 of the EXPLORE 
Act. 
‘‘(iii) SPECIAL
RECREATION
PERMIT 
FEES
AND
OTHER
RECREATION
FEES.— 
The collection of a special recreation per-
mit fee under this paragraph shall not af-
fect the authority of the Secretary to col-
lect an entrance fee, a standard amenity 
recreation fee, or an expanded amenity
162 
recreation fee authorized under subsections 
(e), (f), and (g). 
‘‘(i) DISCLOSURE OF RECREATION FEES AND USE 
OF RECREATION FEES.— 
‘‘(1) NOTICE OF ENTRANCE FEES, STANDARD 
AMENITY RECREATION FEES, EXPANDED AMENITY 
RECREATION
FEES, AND
AVAILABLE
RECREATION 
PASSES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
post clear notice of any entrance fee, standard 
amenity recreation fee, expanded amenity recre-
ation fee, and available recreation passes— 
‘‘(i) at appropriate locations in each 
unit or area of Federal recreational land 
and waters at which an entrance fee, 
standard amenity recreation fee, or ex-
panded amenity recreation fee is charged; 
and 
‘‘(ii) on the appropriate website for 
such unit or area. 
‘‘(B) PUBLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall 
include in publications distributed at a unit or 
area or described in subparagraph (A) the no-
tice described in that subparagraph.
163 
‘‘(2) NOTICE OF USES OF RECREATION FEES.— 
Beginning on January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall 
annually post, at the location at which a recreation 
fee described in paragraph (1)(A) is collected, clear 
notice of— 
‘‘(A) the total recreation fees collected dur-
ing each of the 2 preceding fiscal years at the 
respective unit or area of the Federal land man-
agement agency; and 
‘‘(B) each use during the preceding fiscal 
year of the applicable recreation fee or recre-
ation pass revenues collected under this section. 
‘‘(3) NOTICE OF RECREATION FEE PROJECTS.— 
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall post 
clear notice at the location at which work is per-
formed using recreation fee and recreation pass rev-
enues collected under this section. 
‘‘(4) CENTRALIZED
REPORTING
ON
AGENCY 
WEBSITES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than Janu-
ary 1, 2025, and not later than 60 days after 
the beginning of each fiscal year thereafter, the 
Secretary shall post on the website of the appli-
cable Federal land management agency a 
searchable list of each use during the preceding
164 
fiscal year of the recreation fee or recreation 
pass revenues collected under this section. 
‘‘(B) LIST
COMPONENTS.—The list re-
quired under subparagraph (A) shall include, 
with respect to each use described in that sub-
paragraph— 
‘‘(i) a title and description of the over-
all project; 
‘‘(ii) a title and description for each 
component of the project; 
‘‘(iii) the location of the project; and 
‘‘(iv) the amount obligated for the 
project. 
‘‘(5) NOTICE
TO
CUSTOMERS.—A recreation 
service provider may inform a customer of the recre-
ation service provider of any fee charged by the Sec-
retary under this section.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 804 of the 
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6803) is amended by striking subsection (e). 
(d) 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) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘this title’’;
165 
(2) in subsection (a)(3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘6(a) 
or a visitor reservation service.’’ and inserting 
‘‘806(a) or a visitor reservation service;’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) the processing of special recreation 
permit applications and administration of spe-
cial recreation permits; and 
‘‘(H) the improvement of the operation of 
the special recreation permit program under 
section 803(h).’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 
5(a)(7)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 805(a)(7)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 
5(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 805(d)’’. 
(e) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 810 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2031’’. 
SEC. 312. PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To simplify the process of the 
issuance and or reissuance of special recreation permits 
and reduce the cost of administering special recreation
166 
permits under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended 
by this title), the Secretaries shall each— 
(1) during the period beginning on January 1, 
2021, and ending on January 1, 2025— 
(A) evaluate the process for issuing special 
recreation permits; and 
(B) based on the evaluation under sub-
paragraph (A), identify opportunities to— 
(i) eliminate duplicative processes with 
respect to issuing special recreation per-
mits; 
(ii) reduce costs for the issuance of 
special recreation permits; 
(iii) decrease processing times for spe-
cial recreation permits; and 
(iv) issue simplified special recreation 
permits, including special recreation per-
mits for an organized group recreation ac-
tivity or event under subsection (e); and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the Secretaries complete their respective eval-
uation and identification processes under paragraph 
(1), revise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations 
and guidance documents, including regulations and
167 
guidance documents relating to the environmental 
review process, for special recreation permits to im-
plement the improvements identified under para-
graph (1)(B). 
(b) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, utilize 
available tools, including tiering to existing pro-
grammatic reviews, as appropriate, to facilitate an 
effective and efficient environmental review process 
for activities undertaken by the Secretary concerned 
relating to the issuance of special recreation permits. 
(2) CATEGORICAL
EXCLUSIONS.—Not later 
than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this 
title, the Secretary concerned shall— 
(A) evaluate whether existing categorical 
exclusions available to the Secretary concerned 
on the date of the enactment of this title are 
consistent with the provisions of this title; 
(B) evaluate whether a modification of an 
existing categorical exclusion or the establish-
ment of 1 or more new categorical exclusions 
developed in compliance with the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) is necessary to undertake an activity
168 
described in paragraph (1) in a manner con-
sistent with the authorities and requirements in 
this title; and 
(C) revise relevant agency regulations and 
policy statements and guidance documents, as 
necessary, to modify existing categorical exclu-
sions or incorporate new categorical exclusions 
based on evaluations conducted under this para-
graph. 
(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 under section 803(h) of the Fed-
eral Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6802) (as amended by this title). 
(d) ONLINE APPLICATIONS.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secre-
taries shall make the application for a special recreation 
permit under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended 
by this title), including a reissuance of a special recreation 
permit under that section, available for completion and 
submission— 
(1) online;
169 
(2) by mail or electronic mail; and 
(3) in person at the field office for the applica-
ble Federal recreational lands and waters. 
(e) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS FOR AN ORGA-
NIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITY OR EVENT.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FOR AN 
ORGANIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITY OR 
EVENT.—The term ‘‘special recreation permit 
for an organized group recreation activity or 
event’’ means a special recreation permit de-
scribed in subclause (I) or (III) of paragraph 
(13)(A)(iii) of section 802 of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) 
(as amended by this title). 
(B) YOUTH
GROUP.—The term ‘‘youth 
group’’ means a recreation service provider that 
predominantly serves individuals not older than 
25 years of age. 
(2) EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN ALLOCATIONS 
OF USE.—If the Secretary concerned allocates vis-
itor-use days available for an area or activity on 
Federal recreational lands and waters among recre-
ation service providers that hold a permit described 
in paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Fed-
170 
eral Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title), a special recreation 
permit for an organized group recreation activity or 
event shall not be subject to that allocation of vis-
itor-use days. 
(3) ISSUANCE.—In accordance with paragraphs 
(5) and (6), if use by the general public is not sub-
ject to a limited entry permit system and if capacity 
is available for the times or days in which the pro-
posed activity or event would be undertaken, on re-
quest of a recreation service provider (including a 
youth group) to conduct an organized group recre-
ation activity or event described in subclause (I) or 
(III) of paragraph (13)(A)(iii) of section 802 of the 
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6801) (as amended by this title), the Sec-
retary concerned— 
(A) shall make a nominal effects deter-
mination to determine whether the proposed ac-
tivity or event would have more than nominal 
effects on Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; and 
(B)(i) shall not require a recreation service 
provider (including a youth group) to obtain a 
special recreation permit for an organized group
171 
recreation activity or event if the Secretary con-
cerned determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to 
be undertaken would have only nominal ef-
fects on Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; and 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or 
event is not necessary to protect or avoid 
conflict on or with Federal recreational 
lands and waters, resources, and programs; 
(ii) in the case of an organized group 
recreation activity or event described in section 
802(13)(A)(iii)(I) of that Act, may issue to a 
recreation service provider (including a youth 
group) a special recreation permit for an orga-
nized group recreation activity or event, subject 
to any terms and conditions as are determined 
to be appropriate by the Secretary concerned, if 
the Secretary concerned determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to 
be undertaken would have only nominal ef-
fects on Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; and
172 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or 
event is necessary to protect or avoid con-
flict on or with Federal recreational lands 
and waters, resources, and programs; 
(iii) in the case of an organized group 
recreation activity or event described in section 
802(13)(A)(iii)(III) of that Act, shall issue to a 
recreation service provider (including a youth 
group) a special recreation permit for an orga-
nized group recreation activity or event, subject 
to such terms and conditions determined to be 
appropriate by the Secretary concerned, if the 
Secretary concerned determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to 
be undertaken would have only nominal ef-
fects on Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; and 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or 
event is necessary to protect or avoid con-
flict on or with Federal recreational lands 
and waters, resources, and programs; and 
(iv) may issue to a recreation service pro-
vider (including a youth group) a special recre-
173 
ation permit for an organized group recreation 
activity or event, subject to any terms and con-
ditions determined to be appropriate by the 
Secretary concerned, if the Secretary concerned 
determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to 
be undertaken may have more than nomi-
nal effects on Federal recreational lands 
and waters, resources, and programs; and 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or 
event would be necessary to protect or 
avoid conflict on or with Federal rec-
reational lands and waters, resources, and 
programs. 
(4) FEES.—The Secretary concerned may elect 
not to charge a fee to a recreation service provider 
(including a youth group) for a special recreation 
permit for an organized group recreation activity or 
event. 
(5) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sub-
section prevents the Secretary concerned from lim-
iting or abating the allowance of a proposed activity 
or event under paragraph (3)(B)(i) or the issuance 
of a special recreation permit for an organized group
174 
recreation activity or event, based on resource condi-
tions, administrative burdens, or safety issues. 
(6) QUALIFICATIONS.—A special recreation per-
mit for an organized group recreation activity or 
event issued under paragraph (3) shall be subject to 
the health and safety standards required by the Sec-
retary concerned for a permit issued under para-
graph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title). 
SEC. 313. PERMIT FLEXIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall es-
tablish guidelines to allow a holder of a special recreation 
permit under subsection (h) of section 803 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as 
amended by this title), to engage in another recreational 
activity under the special recreation permit that is sub-
stantially similar to the specific activity authorized under 
the special recreation permit. 
(b) CRITERIA.—For the purposes of this section, a 
recreational activity shall be considered to be a substan-
tially similar recreational activity if the recreational activ-
ity—
175 
(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 impact of the 
authorized activity; 
(3) does not adversely affect— 
(A) any other holder of a special recreation 
permit or other permit; or 
(B) any other authorized use of the Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters; and 
(4) is consistent with— 
(A) any applicable laws (including regula-
tions); and 
(B) the land management plan, resource 
management plan, or equivalent plan applicable 
to the Federal recreational lands and waters. 
(c) SURRENDER OF UNUSED VISITOR-USE DAYS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A recreation service provider 
holding a special recreation permit described in 
paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title) may— 
(A) notify the Secretary concerned of an 
inability to use visitor-use days annually allo-
176 
cated to the recreation service provider under 
the special recreation permit; and 
(B) surrender to the Secretary concerned 
the unused visitor-use days for the applicable 
year for temporary reassignment under section 
318(b). 
(2) DETERMINATION.—To ensure a recreation 
service provider described in paragraph (1) is able to 
make an informed decision before surrendering any 
unused visitor-use day under paragraph (1)(B), the 
Secretary concerned shall, on the request of the ap-
plicable recreation service provider, determine and 
notify the recreation service provider whether the 
unused visitor-use day meets the requirement de-
scribed in section 317(b)(3)(B) before the recreation 
service provider surrenders the unused visitor-use 
day. 
(d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section affects any au-
thority of, regulation issued by, or decision of the Sec-
retary concerned relating to the use of electric bicycles on 
Federal recreational lands and waters under any other 
Federal law. 
SEC. 314. PERMIT ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) PERMIT AVAILABILITY.—
177 
(1) 
NOTIFICATIONS
OF
PERMIT
AVAIL-
ABILITY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), in an area of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters in which use by 
recreation service providers is allocated, if the 
Secretary concerned determines that visitor-use 
days are available for allocation to recreation 
service providers or holders of a commercial use 
authorization for outfitting and guiding, the 
Secretary concerned shall publish that informa-
tion on the website of the agency that admin-
isters the applicable area of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters. 
(B) EFFECT.—Nothing in this para-
graph— 
(i) applies to— 
(I) the reissuance of an existing 
special recreation permit or commer-
cial use authorization for outfitting 
and guiding; or 
(II) the issuance of a new special 
recreation permit or new commercial 
use authorization for outfitting and 
guiding issued to the purchaser of—
178 
(aa) a recreation service pro-
vider that is the holder of an ex-
isting special recreation permit; 
or 
(bb) a holder of an existing 
commercial use authorization for 
outfitting and guiding; or 
(ii) creates a prerequisite to the 
issuance of a special recreation permit or 
commercial use authorization for outfitting 
and guiding or otherwise limits the author-
ity of the Secretary concerned— 
(I) to issue a new special recre-
ation permit or new commercial use 
authorization for outfitting and guid-
ing; or 
(II) to add a new or additional 
use to an existing special recreation 
permit or an existing commercial use 
authorization for outfitting and guid-
ing. 
(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.
179 
(3) ELECTRONIC
MAIL
NOTIFICATIONS.—The 
Secretary concerned shall establish a system by 
which potential applicants for special recreation per-
mits or commercial use authorizations for outfitting 
and guiding may subscribe to receive notification by 
electronic mail of the availability of special recre-
ation permits under section 803(h)(1) of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6802) (as amended by this title) or commercial use 
authorizations for outfitting and guiding. 
(b) PERMIT APPLICATION OR PROPOSAL ACKNOWL-
EDGMENT.—Not later than 60 days after the date on 
which the Secretary concerned receives a completed appli-
cation or a complete proposal for a special recreation per-
mit under section 803(h)(1) of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended 
by this title), the Secretary 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.
180 
(c) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section applies to a 
concession contract issued by the National Park Service 
for the provision of accommodations, facilities, or services. 
SEC. 315. SERVICE FIRST INITIATIVE; PERMITS FOR MULTI-
JURISDICTIONAL TRIPS. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 330 of the Department of the 
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 
(43 U.S.C. 1703), is repealed. 
(b) COOPERATIVE ACTION AND SHARING OF RE-
SOURCES BY THE SECRETARIES OF THE INTERIOR AND 
AGRICULTURE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal year 2024, and 
each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretaries may carry 
out an initiative, to be known as the ‘‘Service First 
Initiative’’, under which the Secretaries, or Federal 
land management agencies within their departments, 
may— 
(A) establish programs to conduct projects, 
planning, permitting, leasing, contracting, and 
other activities, either jointly or on behalf of 
one another; 
(B) co-locate in Federal offices and facili-
ties leased by an agency of the Department of 
the Interior or the Department of Agriculture; 
and
181 
(C) issue rules to test the feasibility of 
issuing unified permits, applications, and leases, 
subject to the limitations in this section. 
(2) DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY.—The Secre-
taries may make reciprocal delegations of the respec-
tive authorities, duties, and responsibilities of the 
Secretaries in support of the Service First Initiative 
agency-wide to promote customer service and effi-
ciency. 
(3) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section alters, 
expands, or limits the applicability of any law (in-
cluding regulations) to land administered by the Bu-
reau of Land Management, National Park Service, 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the For-
est Service or matters under the jurisdiction of any 
other bureaus or offices of the Department of the 
Interior or the Department of Agriculture, as appli-
cable. 
(4) TRANSFERS OF FUNDING.—Subject to the 
availability of appropriations and to facilitate the 
sharing of resources under the Service First Initia-
tive, the Secretaries are authorized to mutually 
transfer funds between, or reimburse amounts ex-
pended from, appropriate accounts of either Depart-
ment on an annual basis, including transfers and re-
215 
‘‘(aa) authorized restoration 
services under other good neigh-
bor agreements; or 
‘‘(bb) authorized recreation 
services under the Good Neighbor 
Authority for Recreation Act. 
‘‘(ii) TERMINATION
OF
EFFECTIVE-
NESS.—The authority provided under this 
subparagraph terminates effective October 
1, 2028.’’. 
(4) RETENTION OF NEPA RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
Any decision required to be made under the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) with respect to any authorized recre-
ation services to be provided under this section on 
Federal land shall not be delegated to a Governor, 
Indian Tribe, or county. 
SEC. 352. PERMIT RELIEF FOR PICNIC AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary concerned does 
not require the public to obtain a permit or reservation 
to access a picnic area on Federal recreational lands and 
waters administered by the Forest Service or the Bureau 
of Land Management, the Secretary concerned shall not 
require a covered person to obtain a permit solely to access 
the picnic area.