dreamproit/uscode huggingface dataset:
16 U.S.C. § 8502 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8502. Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaisons
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Secretaries and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each establish within their Departments the position of Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaison.
(b) Duties
The Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaison shall—
(1) coordinate the implementation of this part;
(2) implement recommendations identified by the Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans established under section 203 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–214), including recommendations related to—
(A) identifying new opportunities to formalize coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, and partner organizations regarding the use of Federal recreational lands and waters for facilitating health and wellness for veterans;
(B) addressing identified barriers that exist to providing veterans with opportunities to augment the delivery of services for health and wellness through the use of outdoor recreation on Federal recreational lands and waters; and
(C) facilitating the use of Federal recreational lands and waters for promoting wellness and facilitating the delivery of health care and therapeutic interventions for veterans;
(3) coordinate with Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaisons at other Federal agencies and veterans organizations; and
(4) promote outdoor recreation experiences for veterans on Federal recreational lands and waters through new and innovative approaches.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 222, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2887.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This part, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the original “this subtitle” meaning subtitle B (§§ 221–226) of title II of Pub. L. 118–234, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2886, which enacted this part and amended section 6803 of this title.
Section 203 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020, also known as the Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is section 203 of Pub. L. 116–214, Dec. 5, 2020, 134 Stat. 1036, which is not classified to the Code.
16 U.S.C. § 8503 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8503. Partnerships to promote military and veteran recreation
(a) In general
The Secretary concerned shall seek to enter into partnerships or agreements with State, Tribal, local, or private entities with expertise in outdoor recreation, volunteer, accessibility, and health and wellness programs for members of the Armed Forces or veterans.
(b) Partnerships
As part of a partnership or agreement entered into under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may host events on Federal recreational lands and waters designed to promote outdoor recreation among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
(c) Financial and technical assistance
Under a partnership or agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may provide financial or technical assistance to the entity with which the respective Secretary concerned has entered into the partnership or agreement to assist with—
(1) the planning, development, and execution of events, activities, or programs designed to promote outdoor recreation for members of the Armed Forces or veterans; or
(2) the acquisition of assistive technology to facilitate improved outdoor recreation opportunities for members of the Armed Forces or veterans.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 223, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2887.)
16 U.S.C. § 8504 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8504. National strategy for military and veteran recreation
(a) Strategy
Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation established under section 113 1 shall develop and make public a strategy to increase visits to Federal recreational lands and waters by members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold Star Family members.
(b) Requirements
A strategy developed under subsection (a)—
(1) shall—
(A) establish objectives and quantifiable targets for increasing visits to Federal recreational lands and waters by members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold Star Family members;
(B) include an opportunity for public notice and comment;
(C) emphasize increased recreation opportunities on Federal recreational lands and waters for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold Star Family members; and
(D) provide the anticipated costs to achieve the objectives and meet the targets established under subparagraph (A); and
(2) shall not establish any preference between similar recreation facilitated by noncommercial or commercial entities.
(c) Update to strategy
Not later than 5 years after the date of the publication of the strategy required under subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter, the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation shall update the strategy and make public the update.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 224, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2888.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Section 113, referred to in subsec. (a), is section 113 of Pub. L. 118–234, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2839, which amended sections 200102 and 200104 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs. As amended, section 200104 of Title 54 establishes the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation.
16 U.S.C. § 8521 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8521. Increasing youth recreation visits to Federal land
(a) Strategy
Not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretaries, acting jointly, shall develop and make public a strategy to increase the number of youth recreation visits to Federal recreational lands and waters.
(b) Requirements
A strategy developed under subsection (a)—
(1) shall—
(A) emphasize increased recreation opportunities on Federal recreational lands and waters for underserved youth;
(B) establish objectives and quantifiable targets for increasing youth recreation visits; and
(C) provide the anticipated costs to achieve the objectives and meet the targets established under subparagraph (B); and
(2) shall not establish any preference between similar recreation facilitated by noncommercial or commercial entities.
(c) Update to strategy
Not later than 5 years after the date of the publication of the strategy required under subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretaries shall update the strategy and make public the update.
(d) Agreements
The Secretaries may enter into contracts or cost-share agreements (including contracts or agreements for the acquisition of vehicles) to carry out this section.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 231, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2890.)
16 U.S.C. § 8531 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8531. Definitions
In this subchapter:
(1) Commercial use authorization
The term “commercial use authorization” means a commercial use authorization to provide services to visitors to units of the National Park System under subchapter II of chapter 1019 of title 54.
(2) Multijurisdictional trip
The term “multijurisdictional trip” means a trip that—
(A) uses 2 or more units of Federal recreational lands and waters; and
(B) is under the jurisdiction of 2 or more Federal land management agencies.
(3) Recreation service provider
The term “recreation service provider” has the meaning given the term in section 6801 of this title (as amended by section 311).
(4) Special recreation permit
The term “special recreation permit” has the meaning given the term in section 6801 of this title (as amended by section 311).
(5) Visitor-use day
The term “visitor-use day” means a visitor-use day, user day, launch, or other metric used by the Secretary concerned for purposes of authorizing use under a special recreation permit.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 301, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2891.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This subchapter, referred to in introductory provisions, was in the original “this title”, meaning title III of Pub. L. 118–234, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2891, which is classified principally to this subchapter. For complete classification of title III to the Code, see Tables.
Section 311, referred to in pars. (3) and (4), means section 311 of Pub. L. 118–234.
16 U.S.C. § 8542 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8542. Permit flexibility
(a) In general
The Secretary concerned shall establish guidelines to allow a holder of a special recreation permit under subsection (h) of section 6802 of this title (as amended by this title), to engage in another recreational activity under the special recreation permit that is substantially 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 substantially similar recreational activity if the 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 natural 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 Federal recreational lands and waters; and
(4) is consistent with—
(A) any applicable laws (including regulations); 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 6801 of this title (as amended by this title) may—
(A) notify the Secretary concerned of an inability to use visitor-use days annually allocated 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 8547(b) of this title.
(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 applicable recreation service provider, determine and notify the recreation service provider whether the unused visitor-use day meets the requirement described in section 8546(b)(3)(B) of this title before the recreation service provider surrenders the unused visitor-use day.
(d) Effect
Nothing in this section affects any authority of, regulation issued by, or decision of the Secretary concerned relating to the use of electric bicycles on Federal recreational lands and waters under any other Federal law.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 313, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2901.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: As amended by this title, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c)(1), means as amended by title III of Pub. L. 118–234.
16 U.S.C. § 8545 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8545. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management temporary special recreation permits for outfitting and guiding
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned shall establish and implement a program to authorize the issuance of temporary special recreation permits for new or additional recreational uses of Federal recreational land and water managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
(b) Term of temporary permits
A temporary special recreation permit issued under paragraph (1) 1 shall be issued for a period of not more than 2 years.
(c) Conversion to long-term permit
If the Secretary concerned determines that a permittee under paragraph (1) 1 has completed 2 years of satisfactory operation under the permit proposed to be converted, the Secretary may provide for the conversion of a temporary special recreation permit issued under paragraph (1) 1 to a long-term special recreation permit.
(d) Effect
Nothing in this subsection 2 alters or affects the authority of the Secretary to issue a special recreation permit under subsection (h)(1) of section 6802 of this title (as amended by this title).
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 316, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2905.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: As amended by this title, referred to in subsec. (d), means as amended by title III of Pub. L. 118–234.
16 U.S.C. § 8546 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8546. Reviews for long-term permits
(a) Monitoring
The Secretary concerned shall monitor each recreation service provider issued a special recreation permit for compliance with the terms of the permit—
(1) not less than annually or as frequently as needed (as determined by the Secretary concerned), in the case of a temporary special recreation permit for outfitting and guiding issued under section 8545 of this title; and
(2) not less than once every 2 years or as frequently as needed (as determined by the Secretary concerned), in the case of a special recreation permit described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 6801 of this title (as amended by this title) that is issued for a term of not more than 10 years.
(b) Use-of-allocation reviews
(1) In general
If the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, or the Secretary, as applicable, allocates visitor-use days among special recreation permits for outfitting and guiding, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall, and the Secretary may, review the use by the recreation service provider of the visitor-use days allocated under a long-term special recreation permit described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 6801 of this title (as amended by this title), once every 5 years.
(2) Requirements of the review
In conducting a review under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall determine—
(A) the number of visitor-use days that the recreation service provider used each year under the special recreation permit, in accordance with paragraph (3); and
(B) the year in which the recreation service provider used the most visitor-use days under the special recreation permit.
(3) Consideration of surrendered, unused visitor-use days
For the purposes of determining the number of visitor-use days a recreation service provider used in a specified year under paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Secretary, as applicable, shall consider an unused visitor-use day that has been surrendered under section 8542(c)(1)(B) of this title as—
(A) 1/2 of a visitor-use day used; or
(B) 1 visitor-use day used, if the Secretary concerned determines the use of the allocated visitor-use day had been or will be prevented by a circumstance beyond the control of the recreation service provider.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 317, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2905.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: As amended by this title, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2) and (b)(1), means as amended by title III of Pub. L. 118–234.
16 U.S.C. § 8547 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8547. Adjustment of allocated visitor-use days
(a) Adjustments following use of allocation reviews
On the completion of a use-of-allocation review conducted under section 8546(b) of this title for a special recreation permit described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 6801 of this title (as amended by this title), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, or the Secretary, as applicable, shall adjust the number of visitor-use days allocated to a recreation service provider under the special recreation permit as follows:
(1) If the Secretary concerned determines that the performance of the recreation service provider was satisfactory during the most recent review conducted under subsection (a) of section 8546 of this title, the annual number of visitor-use days allocated for each remaining year of the permit shall be equal to 125 percent of the number of visitor-use days used, as determined under subsection (b)(2)(A) of that section, during the year identified under subsection (b)(2)(B) of that section, not to exceed the level allocated to the recreation service provider on the date on which the special recreation permit was issued.
(2) If the Secretary concerned determines the performance of the recreation service provider is less than satisfactory during the most recent performance review conducted under subsection (a) of section 8546 of this title, the annual number of visitor-use days allocated for each remaining year of the special recreation permit shall be equal to not more than 100 percent of the number of visitor-use days used, as determined under subsection (b)(2)(A) of that section during the year identified under subsection (b)(2)(B) of that section.
(b) Temporary reassignment of unused visitor-use days
The Secretary concerned may temporarily assign unused visitor-use days, made available under section 8542(c)(1)(B) of this title, to—
(1) any other existing or potential recreation service provider, notwithstanding the number of visitor-use days allocated to the special recreation permit holder under the special recreation permit held or to be held by the recreation service provider; or
(2) any existing or potential holder of a special recreation permit described in clause (i) or (iii) of paragraph (13)(A) of section 6801 of this title (as amended by this title), including the public.
(c) Additional capacity
If unallocated visitor-use days are available, the Secretary concerned may, at any time, amend a special recreation permit to allocate additional visitor-use days to a qualified recreation service provider.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 318, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2906.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: As amended by this title, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(2), means as amended by title III of Pub. L. 118–234.
16 U.S.C. § 8549 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8549. Cost recovery reform
(a) Cost recovery for special recreation permits
In addition to a fee collected under section 6802 of this title or any other authorized fee collected by the Secretary concerned, the Secretary concerned may assess and collect a reasonable fee from an applicant for, or holder of, a special recreation permit to recover administrative costs incurred by the Secretary concerned for—
(1) processing a proposal or application for the special recreation permit;
(2) issuing the special recreation permit; and
(3) monitoring the special recreation permit to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the special recreation permit.
(b) De minimis exemption from cost recovery
If the administrative costs described in subsection (a) are assessed on an hourly basis, the Secretary concerned shall—
(1) establish an hourly de minimis threshold that exempts a specified number of hours from the assessment and collection of administrative costs described in subsection (a); and
(2) charge an applicant only for any hours that exceed the de minimis threshold.
(c) Multiple applications
If the Secretary concerned collectively processes multiple applications for special recreation permits for the same or similar services in the same unit of Federal recreational lands and waters, the Secretary concerned shall, to the extent practicable—
(1) assess from the applicants the fee described in subsection (a) on a prorated basis; and
(2) apply the exemption described in subsection (b) to each applicant on an individual basis.
(d) Limitation
The Secretary concerned shall not assess or collect administrative costs under this section for a programmatic environmental review.
(e) Cost reduction
To the maximum extent practicable, the agency processing an application for a special recreation permit shall use existing studies and analysis to reduce the quantity of work and costs necessary to process the application.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 320, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2908.)
16 U.S.C. § 8550 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8550. Savings provision
Nothing in this part, or in any amendment made by this part, 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuges or units of the National Park System pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 1019 of title 54 (formerly known as the “National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998”), except that sections 8543(a), 8544, 8548(a), 8548(b), and 8548(c) of this title shall also apply to commercial use authorizations under that Act.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 323, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2911.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This part, referred to in text, was in the original “this subtitle” meaning subtitle A (§§ 311–323) of title III of Pub. L. 118–234, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2891, which enacted sections 6804a and 8541 to 8550 of this title, amended sections 6801 to 6804, 6807, and 6809 of this title, and repealed section 1703 of Title 43, Public Lands.
The National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998, referred to in text, is title IV of Pub. L. 105–391, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3503. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1998 Act note set out under section 100101 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs, and Tables.
16 U.S.C. § 8572 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8572. 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.
(b) Covered person defined
In this section, the term “covered person” means a person (including an educational group) that provides outfitting and guiding services to fewer than 40 customers per year at a picnic area described in subsection (a).
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 352, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2916.)
16 U.S.C. § 8573 (CONSERVATION)
§ 8573. Interagency report on special recreation permits for underserved communities
(a) Covered community defined
In this section, the term “covered community” means a rural or urban community, including an Indian Tribe, that is—
(1) low-income or underserved; and
(2) has been underrepresented in outdoor recreation opportunities on Federal recreational lands and waters.
(b) Report
Not later than 3 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretaries, acting jointly, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—
(1) the estimated use of special recreation permits serving covered communities;
(2) examples of special recreation permits, partnerships, cooperative agreements, or other arrangements providing access to Federal recreational lands and waters for covered communities;
(3) other ways covered communities are engaging on Federal recreational lands and waters, including through stewardship and conservation projects or activities;
(4) any barriers for existing or prospective recreation service providers and holders of commercial use authorizations operating within or serving a covered community; and
(5) any recommendations to facilitate and increase permitted access to Federal recreational lands and waters for covered communities.
(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 353, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2917.)