Opinion ID: 3053462
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Regulation of Access

Text: [5] The Property Clause gives Congress plenary power to regulate the use of federal land. U.S. Const. art. IV, § 3, cl. 2; see United States v. Gardner, 107 F.3d 1314, 1318 (9th Cir. 1997) (recognizing that “the power over the public land thus entrusted to Congress [under the Property Clause] is without limitations”) (citations and alteration omitted). The Park Service’s authority to regulate use of federal land within the Park is rooted in the Constitution and the National Park Service Organic Act (Organic Act), 16 U.S.C. § 1. See Bicycle Trails Council of Marin County v. Babbitt, 82 F.3d 1445, 1454 (9th Cir. 1996), as amended. The Secretary’s authority “applies with equal force to regulating an established right of way within the park.” United States v. Vogler, 859 F.2d 638, 642 (9th Cir. 1988) (citation omitted). Even where a statutory right of access exists, the Park Service has broad discretion to regulate its use. See Hale v. Norton, 476 F.3d 694, 699-700 (9th Cir. 2007), cert. den. sub nom. Hale v. Kempthorne, 128 14050 MCFARLAND v. KEMPTHORNE S. Ct. 804 (2007). The proper mechanism for such regulation is the permitting process. See Adams v. United States, 255 F.3d 787, 795 (9th Cir. 2001).