117 HR 3670 IH: Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-06-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act
or the SOAR Act
. (b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
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 organizations.
2.In this Act: (1)Federal land management agencyThe 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 watersThe 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). (3)Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the term Secretaries means—
(A)the Secretary of the Interior; and (B)the Secretary of Agriculture.
<enum>I</enum><header>Modernizing Recreation Permitting</header>
<section id="HF58BC657C1EE41A6896E7E65B9DBFC5E"><enum>101.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text> <paragraph id="H2A1EEBB460E34E25A03F6A1396DD72E9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Associated agency</header><text>The term <term>associated agency</term> means the Federal land management agency, other than the lead agency, that manages a Federal land unit that is the subject of a single joint special recreation permit under section 106.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7FC9CE5873144F3AB842FC8504FDDC7D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Lead agency</header><text>With respect to a single joint special recreation permit application submitted under section 106(a), the term <term>lead agency</term> means the Federal land management agency designated to administer the single joint special recreation permit under section 106(a)(2).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1E5F4D0ABAD648F098700EA8A01AB98F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Long-term special recreation permit</header><text>The term <term>long-term special recreation permit</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="HEB1940D05B474479A40470267C55D758"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for a Federal land unit managed by the Forest Service, a priority use permit; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H57BC7B4C8CD5497D872149C3AB4DE08A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for a Federal land unit managed by the Bureau of Land Management, a multiyear special recreation permit.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1FF60149B60546868DF0B543F6FD0BAD"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Multijurisdictional trip</header><text>The term <term>multijurisdictional trip</term> means a trip that—</text> <subparagraph id="HE42633705995454681FEBD185D158483"><enum>(A)</enum><text>uses 2 or more Federal land units; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8FA0AD10EC354C8CA5DA8BB284AC2523"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is under the jurisdiction of 2 or more Federal land management agencies.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H244E7279F5B84259A95BADAB0604867F"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Federal land unit</header><text>The term <term>Federal land unit</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H629E5C1FFD57416CB25FD1DC9DA6FE83"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a unit of the National Forest System;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H47D3E55DD0DD4A34A5590E47F32AA748"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a unit of the National Park System;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC89D5FAD400E4475ADFDEFB6914E9680"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3343C9EF2AFA4B83AE2098C0A73D3832"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a district of the Bureau of Land Management; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA70762A56DA8474D83131B8EC15A8136"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a project of the Bureau of Reclamation.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2321D28DFFE144C9BE75C5230802515C"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Secretary concerned</header><text>The term <term>Secretary concerned</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1609A48F20CB476EB3784E980089BCA0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to a Federal land unit described in paragraph (5)(A); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H832681770B7A449C815050F4BA5C9A06"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to a Federal land unit described in subparagraph (B), (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (5).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0805D2C21B504321B7CC7142F5E56E8D"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Special recreation permit</header><text>The term <term>special recreation permit</term> has the meaning given the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6801">16 U.S.C. 6801</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></section> <section id="H657519531572438EBDAB01A2CC8797BF"><enum>102.</enum><header>Special recreation permit and fee</header> <subsection id="H9B11585C47024B46BEBD9118A6434911"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>Section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6801">16 U.S.C. 6801</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HB87F8C68FBBC482992476E8566147790"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>section 3(f)</quote> and inserting <quote>803(f)</quote>;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7FCC8906048C4AF29AE71536C5CD9066"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>section 3(g)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 803(g)</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H84AA2A18CEF444D09342EC4C15E124DD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraph (6), by striking <quote>section 5</quote> and inserting <quote>section 805</quote>;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDBF27DEBC03B497897CB37F590DB7CE4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in paragraph (9), by striking <quote>section 5</quote> and inserting <quote>section 805</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD52912C617704F488CEDFD2D4EBA042E"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in paragraph (12), by striking <quote>section 7</quote> and inserting <quote>section 807</quote>;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H31596B92FF884828B17A6F7CC4E063AF"><enum>(6)</enum><text>in paragraph (13), by striking <quote>section 3(h)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 803(h)</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0CF8BFFE78924A1584FD9445B804A21E"><enum>(7)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), and (13) as paragraphs (15), (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (11), (10), and (14), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HFD7AAD716A0A49FFAB22C30D3DA08BED"><enum>(8)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HA3C010B11EC44324AE0E597E484117F8" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H2834CF92DBEE46D79DC64AAEE1E2A04C"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Recreation service provider</header><text>The term <term>recreation service provider</term> means an individual or entity that—</text> <subparagraph id="HC53F0D014EDD4A5FB5BE29EDA80BD603"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provides outfitting, guiding, or other recreation services; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFAFFBF89615348418A1F29ED284B531E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>conducts recreational or competitive events, including incidental sales.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCD9CCC4911A54D9FAC41644F6EAD6839"><enum>(9)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HB781D504E8CA4F7BB596D29C22790154" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H81D4D24C04964CE9A0E2173B50E848E5"><enum>(13)</enum><header>Special recreation permit</header><text>The term <term>special recreation permit</term> means a permit issued by a Federal Land Management Agency for specialized individual or group uses of Federal recreational lands and waters, including—</text> <subparagraph id="H79F566C277AB4F1691601D7FD4B379F8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for outfitting, guiding, or other recreation services;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H60BA89E3413142EE8FCAAF69E8F2B307"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for recreation or competitive events, which may include incidental sales;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFC553F57E8DE4BAE8AF06B0905CCBBEE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>for the use of—</text>
<clause id="HD1B8C49BED1140B697B2F57D72473AF2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a special area; or</text></clause> <clause id="HBD04C688694A49B6948E3C0428A718BD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an area in which use is allocated;</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB11DD2A63BFA4C34BC21A060A0711233"><enum>(D)</enum><text>for motorized recreational vehicle use in compliance with an applicable travel management plan or other regulation; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5BC86971A8AE490C90768B06FFAC4B77"><enum>(E)</enum><text>for a group activity or event.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8B88CEFA356046FDBA2FD368AF3114C7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Special recreation permit and fee</header><text>Section 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6802">16 U.S.C. 6802</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H3D055FBF87E54151BD5640FD7B38F4E4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (b)(5), by striking <quote>section 4(d)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 804(d)</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCA24684C3FDF4E28B73AE6725B10CAF4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H22076AEE0FF443ADBFC8A9373258B3ED" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HE8521D636A7E4926A7C8D454C2A4DDB9"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Special recreation permit and fee</header> <paragraph id="H4EC39451775745CE874472FD9D8D93EE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Special recreation permit</header><text>The Secretary may issue a special recreation permit for specialized individual or group uses of Federal recreational lands and waters as defined in section 802(13) of this Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6801">16 U.S.C. 6801</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2B9358E31E5B4047A0A9A196F38E6011"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Special recreation permit fee</header>
<subparagraph id="HA8F11881879A4E07BE1B70D0AE238F3C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary may charge a special recreation permit fee in connection with the issuance of a special recreation permit under paragraph (1).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB3F2EE3770B24F18B43C71EEF0DF1B7E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Fees for certain lands</header> <clause id="H42E3EF3EAC9A45EF8802612787FD99C9"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), a special recreation permit fee 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 between—</text>
<subclause id="H79608C1F2244431FADB4BEB3D6303F8A"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the sum of—</text> <item id="H544BA0F185434DD29D9CECCBCE565058"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>3 percent of the annual gross revenue of the recreation service provider for all activities authorized by the special recreation permit; and</text></item>
<item id="H8DF548195A6343E4BBCB744F29FF8EAE"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>any applicable revenue addition; and</text></item></subclause> <subclause id="HC4C51331E76044C6BD9022C3BEF376C3"><enum>(II)</enum><text>any applicable revenue exclusion.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HCD1387190CAF406289D1626C6618C129"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Exclusion of certain revenues and payments</header><text>In calculating the amount of a fee for a special recreation permit under clause (i), the Secretary concerned shall exclude—</text> <subclause id="HE581168619774AFB932C7D9F45CC27B6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>revenue from goods, services, souvenirs, merchandise, gear, food, and activities provided or sold by a special recreation permit holder in a location other than the Federal recreational lands and waters covered by the permit, including transportation costs, lodging, and any other service before or after a trip; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HA2FF2EFB29BA4906811C681E1DD27B90"><enum>(II)</enum><text>revenue from any recreational services provided by a special recreation permit holder for activities on Federal recreational lands and waters for which a separate permit is issued.</text></subclause></clause> <clause id="H8B2D4D53D9654352BAD896E0676F5F3A"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Alternative per-person fee</header> <subclause id="HC4B77A131C7E42CFA8DFFEFC43B9C858"><enum>(I)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For 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, the Secretary may charge a per-person fee in connection with the issuance of a special recreation permit under paragraph (1).</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H8600EEBBE56849949339F086ABB4F645"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Amount of fee</header><text>The total amount charged by the Secretary in connection with the issuance of a special recreation permit under paragraph (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).</text></subclause></clause> <clause id="H1C41C5DDB2A2424288FCC3CDB87D7B72"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Effect</header><text>Nothing in this subparagraph affects any fee for a commercial use authorization for use of Federal recreational lands and waters managed by the National Park Service.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H97B20D8DE2364A36BFE6FAD873EB2639"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Disclosure of fees</header><text>A special recreation permit holder may inform customers of any fee charged by the Secretary under this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3F0B6A6B7B824A22A422DBC312EDD704"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Reports</header> <subparagraph id="H16CF62EBA78A4F1A9E9BCAAFA93A8804"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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 collected by the Secretary under paragraph (2).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD06AA5AA6F214139B9FD479A89648DB6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>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) administered by the Secretary, including an identification of the amounts used for specific activities within the Federal land unit.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0280AA8659CB4E4AA5A76CAC0458DAD7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of special recreation permit revenue</header><text>Section 808 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6807">16 U.S.C. 6807</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HE2083D09E23F4B04A81D33B315CA01AC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(3)(F), by striking <quote>section 6(a)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 806(a)</quote>;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6E641C937B484AAA92025A3081DDF067"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (d), by striking <quote>section 5</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>section 805</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0017F7A283694C95A47BAF6AD0F4DE3B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as subsections (c) through (e), respectively; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H262A5AF88519498A8F58DD661A3078C3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (a) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HC4619FC487C7476D9FCB6BCE6BD015F1" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HF153E9F72B45480FAB235C179D86416F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of special recreation permit fee revenue</header><text>Revenue from a special recreation permit fee may be used for—</text> <paragraph id="H321C3F9FE91F4106A915F78974DB3512"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the purposes described in subsection (a); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2BDCF5D53487495284FBA0C9422F0D5D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>expenses—</text> <subparagraph id="H967B577A53CB4729BBBD9B58D6A4AA9E"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">associated with issuing and administering special recreation permits; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2B9E3B28B39243909E86840355559A6C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>incurred in the improvement of the operation of the special recreation permit system.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H661CE782FE964578BDD207AEA1C0F2C6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Permanent authorization</header><text>Section 810 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6809">16 U.S.C. 6809</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HCBE3AF6F1C0D4361B6982DF3D982D62B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The authority</quote> and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H01DA1BB03B554EFB87A489E270CC18EF" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H746B3E141DFA4FC3944B49798986B98E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (b), the authority</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H51F7D04DD0DA40ADBE1E92FB4E5494BE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HEEA40FEF99134E44BE0F6B7B89608745" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HE6F86CE4F7E34DFCAF82F5123AACB306"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Applicability</header><text>Subsection (a) shall not apply to—</text>
<paragraph id="HEDE2D74992354075AF44495E5C0E5A04"><enum>(1)</enum><text>section 802;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8E378623243140B0B66291407B7C18A8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>subsection (d)(2) or (h) of section 803; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H176293F15FE5469E8529ACD454696E1A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>subsection (a), (b) or (c) of section 808.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H4B8C617501E943408C998F831C8E208E"><enum>103.</enum><header>Permitting process improvements</header> <subsection id="HF432038DAA064064BF9B71E460E36C9E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To simplify the process of the issuance and renewal of special recreation permits and reduce the cost of administering special recreation permits, the Secretary concerned shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HA046BC1DCE0F4792A92F25AC9FFEFDA2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act—</text> <subparagraph id="H09640D89C7F24E258BCC84E914B7D4A5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>evaluate the special recreation permitting process; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H12C3B0E024094EB3AEA692D4681C539F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify opportunities—</text> <clause id="HCBC4467D84E24699A1EC2B2651A845A6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to eliminate duplicative processes;</text></clause>
<clause id="HE3EC40F92ACE4DFB8D92CC496B104252"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to reduce costs; and</text></clause> <clause id="H8D3A1381A6D44D6A91E80217DCB4D577"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to decrease processing times; and</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7130B1D11A3248D89BF57ED3F054DF93"><enum>(2)</enum><text>not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary concerned completes the evaluation and identification processes under paragraph (1), revise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations and policy statements to implement the improvements identified under paragraph (1)(B).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H537C4FA55A0448B4BC08593C18581A12"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Categorical exclusions</header> <paragraph id="HCB82050F55DB4ED183B8F4B4958B96B7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4CBCA25599D8430192493968A7AAE395"><enum>(A)</enum><text>evaluate whether 1 or more additional categorical exclusions developed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.</external-xref>) would reduce processing times or costs for the issuance or renewal of special recreation permits without significantly affecting the human environment; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA8A34C3F7D44465B925D384AF9347EAE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if the Secretary concerned determines under subparagraph (A) that 1 or more additional categorical exclusions would reduce processing times or costs for the issuance or renewal of special recreation permits without significantly affecting the human environment—</text>
<clause id="H12A4525D578D414DB7C1630332ADDD1A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>establish those categorical exclusions in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.</external-xref>);</text></clause> <clause id="HE2762950D56A449EBB1A92F7DD3A04C6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>fully document that a category of actions will not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H0787347EF8D14303BB98EE04E6E0AEA9"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>revise relevant agency regulations and policy statements to implement those categorical exclusions.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H54E687EBB2BF4381A4A1C0ED1E683FCE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administration</header> <subparagraph id="HCF2DA982F8104EA98BD481A728267A05"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In administering a categorical exclusion established under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary concerned shall comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.</external-xref>) (including regulations promulgated pursuant to that Act).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDA303600C0A942C09A8191A38E6DD309"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Extraordinary circumstances</header><text>In determining whether to use a categorical exclusion established under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary concerned shall apply, as applicable, the extraordinary circumstances procedures described in—</text> <clause id="H51836ACBDD3342BF8DBCC278E50D8F13"><enum>(i)</enum><text>section 220.6 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); and</text></clause>
<clause id="HD6719AC652554BD1A07888761DF4691A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>section 46.215 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0D79CEBEA0C943DE9998AF6BF772BD36"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Needs assessments</header><text>Except as required under subsection (c) or (d) of section 4 of the Wilderness Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1133">16 U.S.C. 1133</external-xref>), 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.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H55B1DCABFEF0483D95137EC6B8271AD4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Online applications</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall make applications for special recreation permits available to be completed and submitted online unless the Secretary concerned determines that making applications for special recreation permits available to be completed and submitted online would not improve the efficiency or accessibility of the permitting process.</text></subsection></section> <section id="HD0095885B7F94B4DA3AC7E322B55217D"><enum>104.</enum><header>Permit flexibility</header> <subsection id="HB166B95A0CBD4B28907F06B8C1ED8BDF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Similar activities</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall establish a permit administration protocol that authorizes, 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 Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6802">16 U.S.C. 6802(h)</external-xref>) to engage in a recreational activity that is substantially similar to the specific activity authorized under the special recreation permit, if the substantially similar recreational activity—</text>
<paragraph id="H823338B9E0D441BF936235DFC12E5047"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is comparable in type, nature, scope, and ecological setting to the specific activity authorized under the special recreation permit;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H67A84677249D4BECB5211FEF39DF5DD1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>does not result in a greater impact on natural and cultural resources than the authorized activity;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5BCC09BBC07141F98E12D36D4254504B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>does not adversely affect any other permittee issued a special recreation permit for a Federal land unit under that subsection;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD707EDED2A364E5C952598015C4D3ADE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>does not involve the use of a motor for a previously non-motorized use; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H22AFFC53FB4D4EA188C74FCA89CE6ACE"><enum>(5)</enum><text>is consistent with any laws and regulations (including land use or management plans) applying to a Federal land unit.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H2E06E288C2BB4DB195982857ACC2F033"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Voluntary return of surplus service days</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall establish a program to allow a permittee issued a special recreation permit for a Federal land unit to voluntarily and temporarily return to the Secretary concerned 1 or more surplus service days, to be made available to any other existing or potential permittee.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8CB7D84625714E5885C3C00D3D6F5818"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Forest service and bureau of land management temporary special recreation permits</header>
<paragraph id="HA16411EDE1134357BD1DB4BC6DB712A5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HAA81BE0ADB77419D8699DE7F531F394A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Term of temporary permits</header><text>A temporary special recreation permit issued under paragraph (1) shall be issued for a period of not more than 2 years.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H93B56E831EA14A08A7DF727BCE34E405"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Conversion to long-term permit</header><text>If the Secretary concerned determines that a permittee under paragraph (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) to a long-term special recreation permit.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H04F9CB6DF2F242FFB00405CD6129C253"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Effect</header><text>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 Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6802">16 U.S.C. 6802(h)(1)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H0BE4E69F48B447CBB3EFE326A82964D6"><enum>105.</enum><header>Permit administration</header>
<subsection id="H259EEC91EEC6434F9A665594D1C42763"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Permit availability</header>
<paragraph id="HD4B0DE57DB6C4391897D77E896C6A60B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Notification of permit availability</header>
<subparagraph id="H6E682DBA6AC741E4B740BEC945E3E2C3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), if the Secretary concerned has determined that the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior, as applicable, is able to issue new special recreation permits to recreation service providers seeking to use a Federal land unit, the Secretary concerned shall publish that information on the website of the agency that administers the relevant Federal land unit.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H59BEE14FFF47426BBDE2B08DA4024D62"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception for certain permits</header><text>With respect to a Federal land unit managed by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management, subparagraph (A) shall apply only to a long-term special recreation permit for the Federal land unit.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H561ED0CCF0A4432EBE5213D539878587"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Exception for renewals and reissuances</header><text>Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to—</text> <clause id="H42A99994FB454C9594CCC448F478CE04"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a renewal or reissuance of an existing special recreation permit; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H391DBBD797074A4EA4B77C792C736583"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a new special recreation permit issued to the purchaser of a recreation service provider that is the holder of an existing special recreation permit.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE378B5CAE6F04E3797A1ABC89F6617E7"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Effect</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph creates a prerequisite to the issuance of a special recreation permit or otherwise limits the authority of the Secretary concerned—</text>
<clause id="H5A7D2C594DC8450CB7F39A049C47630F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to issue a new special recreation permit;</text></clause> <clause id="HBA3253971DC14D3B8A0964AF0837AC8C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to add a new or additional use to an existing special recreation permit; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H8558167DC33447ACB5E2CB8EC8C7B29F"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to make special recreation permits available to members of the public.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5967684A53324C1B9BEF1465C1DA521C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Updates</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall ensure that information published on the website under this subsection is consistently updated to provide current and correct information to the public.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H22BA025A154E44DCA3C1F71E579C7264"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Electronic mail notification</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall—</text> <subparagraph id="H0A7E18D97527400CB0235081B67ED0F8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>establish a system by which potential special recreation permit applicants may subscribe to receive notification of the availability of special recreation permits by electronic mail; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3E3AA15E1AB448C5BD358BB6E7006D1C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>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.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H415CE2D4E92744D884479A96CE50AC8A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Permit application acknowledgment</header><text>Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary of the Interior receives a completed application or the Secretary of Agriculture receives a complete proposal for a special recreation permit for a Federal land unit, the Secretary concerned shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H547BEEA8B2394FAD842F9ADFBACF9696"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide to the applicant notice acknowledging receipt of the application or proposal; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H367E7F399C9C4E4DA5CD550894142F75"><enum>(2)</enum> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H2A77D0393A514AFE894BF1D6880101E6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>issue a final decision with respect to the application or proposal; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H764498DEFB9044C59B862605C2DAA682" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide to the applicant notice of a projected date for a final decision on the application or proposal.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H1498C83CD25641439582319001443626"><enum>106.</enum><header>Permits for multijurisdictional trips</header> <subsection id="HF494C520555045B38A13A72B63F89570"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Single joint special recreation permits</header> <paragraph id="H309122AAD67E4F1181FBA097E7467649"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In the case of a multijurisdictional trip, the Federal land management agencies 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.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB48AF0E100D147DFB30FF05D7D84EB09"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Lead agency</header><text>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:</text> <subparagraph id="H53E3057852A145B391D1AB7B8FEBA170"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The length of the multijurisdictional trip and the relative portions of the multijurisdictional trip on each Federal land unit.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF32174C441974B14A7346D44D53A957B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The congressional or administrative designations that apply to the areas to be used during the multijurisdictional trip and the degree to which those designations impose limitations on recreational use.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC707CB302897459187A2F1F5B5E22450"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The relative ability of the Federal land management agencies with jurisdiction over the multijurisdictional trip to respond to the single joint special recreation permit application in a timely manner.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE60BB5A49D804036B36D5DFA2D2B3BD2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Other relevant administrative considerations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE2FE3565E4F44DC3B1DB89EC6DEE0C24"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Application</header><text>An applicant desiring to be offered a single joint special recreation permit under paragraph (1) shall submit to the lead agency an application, as required by the lead agency.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HED6A04DB611A4363B9AEAF623E3AD43E"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Option to apply for separate permits</header><text>An applicant for a special recreation permit for a multijurisdictional trip may apply to each applicable Federal land management agency for a separate permit for the portion of the multijurisdictional trip on the Federal land unit managed by each applicable Federal land management agency.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB7DD3BBB03014929BD0484038AA310BF"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Prohibitions</header><text>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.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H275BA24ED51240C0A0398DEDFB9998B3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>In issuing a single joint special recreation permit under subsection (a), the lead agency shall—</text> <paragraph id="H011F861842EF477685EE02FF4F8AFA6D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>coordinate with each associated agency, consistent with the authority of the Secretary concerned under section 330 of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1703">43 U.S.C. 1703</external-xref>), to develop and issue 1 joint permit that covers the entirety of the multijurisdictional trip;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE777AB253EFE4DFEA705B02F03640C91"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in processing the joint special recreation permit application, incorporate the findings, interests, and needs of the associated agency;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB88711E8FC0E44878335F07B0D9779A7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in issuing the joint special recreation permit, clearly identify the agencies that have the authority to enforce the terms, stipulations, conditions and agreements of the joint special recreation permit, as determined under subsection (d); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAF6BD2B66B7845CDAE8DE6C8FC55EC71"><enum>(4)</enum><text>complete the permitting process within a reasonable timeframe.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H76E98F1CF2004504AD46F665DE75C681"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Cost recovery</header><text>The coordination with the associated agency under subsection (b) shall not be subject to cost recovery.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCACB45EE87A44466B3FA7856C0DA5657"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Enforcement authority</header>
<paragraph id="H9C50ED2073EC4F559491C45A0B3EEF5F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Delegation of authority to lead agency</header><text>In administering a single joint special recreation permit under subsection (a), the associated agency shall delegate to the lead agency the authority—</text> <subparagraph id="H3EC1E043B37D4283BBDF7CC1A12D8B90"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to enforce the terms, stipulations, conditions, and agreements of the joint special recreation permit, as may be required by the regulations of the Secretary of the associated agency; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF0ED880018EE42FABAA05330A3392977"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to suspend, terminate, or revoke the joint special recreation permit for—</text> <clause id="H23716016B93A4212ABB6EED95A37832B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>noncompliance with Federal, State, or local laws and regulations;</text></clause>
<clause id="HCE5CCC499D224C62B0F0A55E68081423"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>noncompliance with the terms of the joint special recreation permit; or</text></clause> <clause id="HB7ECB85B998249E99FCCA8234A473E86"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>failure of the holder of the joint special recreation permit to exercise the privileges granted by the joint special recreation permit.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB67490F0619249C88B79B9EF97472A66"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Retention of authority by the associated agency</header><text>The associated agency shall retain the authority to enforce the terms, stipulations, conditions, and agreements in the joint special recreation permit that apply specifically to the use occurring on the Federal land unit managed by the associated agency.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H28B29787C60B486FAA5615DA1D882007"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Withdrawal</header> <paragraph id="HCC0631E9B33A491A8B7A3597E16E956C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The lead agency or an associated agency may withdraw from a joint special recreation permit at any time.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD861F4E60A34479AB3DDB64F0AE9FB82"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Issuance of separate permits</header>
<subparagraph id="HFF0BE97A93E24C5294F565F967C2E068"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In the case of a withdrawal 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 permit a new, separate special recreation permit for any use occurring on the Federal land unit managed by the agency.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H97122AA3C29D44FAA233106226DF8BB4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>No new application</header><text>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 application for a separate special recreation permit under subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H114055C1618B453E913AFC0602BF73AF"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Treatment of Federal land units charging entrance fees</header><text>Entrance fees may still be collected 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.</text></subsection></section> <section id="HDE00C298B6AD48ED8C96D26185AB144B"><enum>107.</enum><header>Forest Service permit use reviews</header> <subsection id="HC131370C391B4BDCACE0C8592072B132"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the <quote>Secretary</quote>) conducts a special recreation permit use review in renewing a special recreation permit or adjusting allocations of use in a special recreation permit, the Secretary shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H58836C8B21B14C399378D977AFF6CD49"><enum>(1)</enum><text>take into consideration the performance of the special recreation permit holder during the reviewed period; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3BE7303D6DE64E759B6C368651962FC8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>if the special recreation permit holder receives 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.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7AA7CE74A0644EB3A66432641341F4B2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional capacity</header>
<paragraph id="HC7F4B18D3E2A484A88092258C1B75159"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If additional use capacity is available the Secretary may, at any time, assign additional use capacity to 1 or more qualified recreation service providers.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE8A75065ECE842AE8036D2CD60846C5D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Assignment not subject to cap on use</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (a), in assigning additional use capacity under paragraph (1), the Secretary may assign additional use capacity to an existing special recreation permit holder even if that assignment would exceed the amount of use allocated to the special recreation permit holder on the date on which the special recreation permit was issued.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HCB5D2088CE1443DAA3CE67D9FBE931EA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Waiver</header><text>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 circumstance beyond the control of the special recreation permit holder, such as—</text> <paragraph id="HD2A6E7D31E4740B4A3DC51C721F19DD5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>unfavorable weather;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBE53D5F280564297BD7ECB9919697FCA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>fire;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H94E0473F51434194A674022FEC569A55"><enum>(3)</enum><text>natural disaster;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEDB38E906E4D429FA5670F7C8999407B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>wildlife displacement;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H08439E4341C3466282D97D94F09325DB"><enum>(5)</enum><text>business interruption;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD00CA5AF8DD44C6E9CB9275D210C9F4B"><enum>(6)</enum><text>insufficient availability of hunting and fishing licenses; or</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HAAD7E32D7C644947972318978B884679"><enum>(7)</enum><text>significant seasonal variability or off-peak periods within the allocated period of use.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4F35ED189B2F4B5FAA1DB4D0D9E120DE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Approval of non-Use</header>
<paragraph id="HF98BE728D7684743A061EF7780DE7F18"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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 special recreation permit without reducing the number of service days assigned to the special recreation permit.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2C6739BDE6C24CD2B2F7AC75CBFCD487"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Temporary reassignment of use</header><text>The Secretary may temporarily assign any period of non-use approved under paragraph (1) to any other existing or potential permittee.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H358437C79B594A16A680D6C0C2632021"><enum>108.</enum><header>Liability</header>
<subsection id="H07CF8B8CEDC7446A858BD90303D312DA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Exculpatory agreements</header>
<paragraph id="H006B6D0259FA46378ECB74709B05F663"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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 recreation permit holder and a customer of the special recreation permit holder relating to services provided under a special recreation permit.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H624BA0EA883F4D0282C43A007F50CA47"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Savings clause</header><text>Nothing in this subsection preempts, displaces, modifies, or eliminates any State law (including common law) regarding exculpatory agreements.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H03B0F6E6D64F42D3AB4D05FB0104931F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Indemnification by government entities</header><text>The Secretary concerned may not require a recreation 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 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6802">16 U.S.C. 6802(h)</external-xref>) if—</text> <paragraph id="H8D82759441234AC49D92121F1234F71B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the recreation service provider is prohibited by State or local law from providing indemnification to the United States; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H75FB4EE37A1C46A2B0CA5AC06CEC946A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the recreation service provider—</text> <subparagraph id="HCC91E921B4764888843457155D967357"><enum>(A)</enum><text>carries the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage required by the issuing agency for the activities conducted under the special recreation permit; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H258A9313DC3140A485D4E979F0E5FE0F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is self-insured for the same amount.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HE279BA2AA50A4828BA3B9A56280A96F8"><enum>109.</enum><header>Cost recovery reform</header> <subsection id="H1699409568A445CF939C9B1F7834641A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Revision of regulations</header> <paragraph id="H47A098F720CD4682B6A583481AA326B0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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 Regulations, to be consistent with this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H40A0BBACB34F44D9B0C8255E8D6AB824"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall not include anything in the revised regulations that would limit the authority of the Secretary concerned to issue or renew special recreation permits.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H962C7CA468AE43DC97FE2966C9FC7CDD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>De minimis exemption from cost recovery</header> <paragraph id="H9F070F0B7DEA4DC39FB51E1FA29AA53F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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 Bureau of Land Management, or for monitoring an authorization under a special recreation permit issued by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management, 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.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H270B8114C52D4F09A0C95677DF80DED7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Multiple applications</header><text>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 aggregate, require more hours to process than are exempt under the regulations promulgated under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall, regardless of whether the applications are solicited or unsolicited and whether there is competitive interest—</text> <subparagraph id="H71DAAB82D80E448585B74C3372B435CB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>determine the share of the aggregate quantity of hours to be allocated to each application on an equal or prorated basis, as appropriate; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBA5A0880150E49BDBEF51B4F9E8443D9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for each application, apply a separate exemption as specified in the regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) to the share of the aggregate hours allocated to the application.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H4F3AA80B1C4748298807DDAF3908547D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Cost reduction</header><text>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.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H4776635086844C419972E1ED077A1B80"><enum>110.</enum><header>Extension of special recreation permits</header>
<subsection id="H5384BB7873AF4A78B9E745BFBD8EE75A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H8060919B8BEA4C6CA540C3856093D4D5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Any tolling under subsection (a) shall be for a period of not more than 5 years.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H6E782D0CD18142F89AFAA37E27920EE1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibility of the secretary concerned</header><text>Before allowing the expiration of a permit to be tolled under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned, to the maximum extent practicable, shall complete the renewal process.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H3682907B6378466A970BDC520A831390"><enum>111.</enum><header>Availability of Federal and State recreation passes</header> <subsection id="H3149337F35F64778B0E8729553E414F1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act is amended by inserting after section 805 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6804">16 U.S.C. 6804</external-xref>) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HCBB3765F8F9942E5A4B11638C2F6E331" style="OLC">
<section id="H5FE1B327829D4FBE9DFD9885D9962A7D"><enum>805A.</enum><header>Availability of Federal and State recreation passes</header>
<subsection id="H8CF4B6790FBF4BD1AFEB4A27FAAB7BFA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of program</header>
<paragraph id="H198E57D40DCB40DB825330AF62B5A78D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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 Federal recreation pass and a State recreation pass in the same transaction.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDB3922C792514E799BA8388EFB145A50"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Included passes</header><text>Passes covered by the program established under paragraph (1) include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2CF7C31E444B47C9A9806A9510BFF999"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass under section 805; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5EEAAEDED81F4CD5A6112806DF6AC2A3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any pass covering any fees charged by participating States and localities for entrance and recreational use of parks and public land in the participating States.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H596DDC0996BA46EE997F4582AB4B45A2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Agreements with states</header>
<paragraph id="H9C62CD49216B4FA2908AACDABA875605"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretaries, after consultation with the States, may enter into agreements with States to coordinate the availability of passes as described in subsection (a).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA6CE9254BF65402080B2EF629CA59709"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Revenue from pass sales</header><text>The agreements between the Secretaries and the States shall ensure that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H47CDFFA94D3F4FE889134CE38399DF18"><enum>(A)</enum><text>funds from the sale of State passes are transferred to the appropriate State agency;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H08C53013BB7044F687FD5B7B58D5E84B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>funds from the sale of Federal passes are transferred to the appropriate Federal agency; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2698BC083E9841BEB01F0DA8EFCD94AD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>fund transfers are completed by the end of a fiscal year for all pass sales occurring during the fiscal year.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8529D45386E44398ADF4D40367A56EA0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>In entering into an agreement under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall publish in the Federal Register a notice describing the agreement.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H5D1C3FF545C14ADF9F89292F302CA72A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents for the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6801">16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 805 the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HAC37F45F67364E1684AC31889472ED1C" style="OLC"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 805A. Availability of Federal and State recreation passes.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section> <section id="H0188D305FDB649CABFA79EA56A81F68D"><enum>112.</enum><header>Online purchases of America the Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass</header> <subsection id="HB882D5852BCA4104BF456E428F3111B0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 805(a)(6) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6804">16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(6)</external-xref>) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HD86A56B19D5441E3B8F956ED5A4BE824" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="HE84E3497D66340F3A17BA24FC619673C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretaries shall sell the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—</text> <clause id="HC8760D5E38FA48478A1E3FA097917974"><enum>(i)</enum><text>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;</text></clause>
<clause id="H7CDA847D652D4DB392ABEE0369D2410A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>at such other locations as the Secretaries consider appropriate and feasible; and</text></clause> <clause id="HAE0F6F65B3EA401BBCFD61D2E40F21C2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>through the website of each of the Federal land management agencies and the websites of the relevant units and subunits of those agencies, with—</text>
<subclause id="HE2EF533223DB418BA49082A8F939074A"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a prominent link on each website; and</text></subclause> <subclause id="H300E026603E840D8AF100B6A78A9EFED"><enum>(II)</enum><text>information about where and when passes are needed.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H27108EDD563048ADA45F5F9B22B91177"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Entrance pass and amenity fees</header><text>The Secretaries shall make available for payment online, if appropriate and feasible, for each Federal land unit where passes and fees are required—</text> <paragraph id="H8D57E66E348A427CA07AB6909E0A573F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>all entrance fees under section 803(e) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6802">16 U.S.C. 6802(e)</external-xref>);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H837740CE3CD949469BF62000DA5DD502"><enum>(2)</enum><text>all standard amenity recreation fees under section 803(f) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6802">16 U.S.C. 6802(f)</external-xref>); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8387F5623C464533BFDC7FF1A9AC0FBF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>all expanded amenity recreation fees under section 803(g) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6802">16 U.S.C. 6802(g)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HEFC63EC3E3D245128427BB44BC35FC67"><enum>113.</enum><header>Savings provision</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">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 Concessions 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 commercial use authorizations under that Act.</text></section> <enum>II</enum><header>Making Recreation a Priority</header> <section id="H79541742A2C44F74B9E9E2BBF4343E0F"><enum>201.</enum><header>Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities</header> <subsection id="H88B32154229241F080E44A90E60CBF1E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header> <paragraph id="HB5305C80EEA148079EF33EF6097FF1E7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Extension of Recreational Season</header><text>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—</text>
<subparagraph id="H368F0FEFAEEE4043AB5623A3312C0263"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify areas of Federal recreational lands and waters in which recreation use is highly seasonal;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9010FB74CF314E7A821F0F5AE8286812"><enum>(B)</enum><text>where appropriate, extend the recreation season or increase recreation use in a sustainable manner during the offseason; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7D30492709FE4073BDB540FA5777342D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>make information about extended season schedules and related recreational opportunities available to the public and local communities.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8990E3A005484A25AAA10C3C91E49FC2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clarification</header><text>Nothing in this subsection precludes the Secretaries from providing for additional recreational opportunities and uses at times other than those referred to in paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H43F43B391CD447B1BC2BC5A7D170B31F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>An extension under subsection (a)(1) may include—</text> <paragraph id="H5EAA9DEA63824B639E46942DBB268E84"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the addition of facilities that would increase recreation use during the offseason; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6D4C3122E0CE4333B0BA356EA0FE42FE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improvement of access to the area to extend the season.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HDA2169CBE96242A9A3A1034F44B1B308"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>An extension under subsection (a)(1) shall be compatible with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies, including land use plans.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H0AF1F3098A0C4F4C9708C02D7C6D6E0C"><enum>202.</enum><header>Recreation performance metrics</header>
<subsection id="H51134122BE114864BA0B69DD48CEA7A8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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 management plans.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H92F2F961EEA9413CA3CFF8DE755E4CFF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Metrics</header> <paragraph id="HA644A2C1A10F48AE804AA4DDF2A68D2B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The metrics used to evaluate recreation and tourism outcomes shall ensure—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF018E040807042688C6057F066DAECAC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the advancement of recreation and tourism goals; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA3B71023C39544EE94C769C3559AB623"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the ability of the land manager to enhance the outdoor experience of the visitor.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H381E7A244E424E74B7080EA77B640F63"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>The metrics referred to in paragraph (1) shall include—</text> <subparagraph id="HB50D1418362D47C6A0B4D0EA060392F1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the extent of positive economic impacts;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD39775C07CDC4140A3F899DF62C425F6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>visitation by families;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC99A476150D64EEA8C0A8D6C3520C219"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the number of visiting school and youth groups;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H234C17B5A39148A0B33399EA3CDA11C2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the number of available recreational opportunities;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H89CE5B63C638455DB98F739234335081"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the quality of visitor experience;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4544D33F27014C17821F123D8D8C1DDC"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the number of recreational and environmental educational programs offered;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0DE1DF09FD9944538FEFB4E50BBD2A94"><enum>(G)</enum><text>visitor satisfaction; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBCB27F783AFD4C5DABB6D542E2F73548"><enum>(H)</enum><text>the maintenance and expansion of existing recreation infrastructure.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <enum>III</enum><header>Maintenance of Public Land</header> <section id="H39D596FB328E47A795446A8DB879EF75"><enum>301.</enum><header>Private-sector volunteer enhancement program</header> <subsection id="HB9A140BCC0154A22844B979E3BA58E48"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of this section is to promote private-sector volunteer programs within the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to enhance stewardship, recreation access, and sustainability of the resources, values, and facilities of the Federal recreational lands and waters managed by the Federal land management agencies.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H34DFB67972A44D7294E7FC1E91AE563C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H87186434976441FFA882789509CE4BC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Secretary concerned</header><text>The term <term>Secretary concerned</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="HAA7D47CDD93642B199B665159C27BE7B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service), with respect to National Forest System land; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H99624304233E4B618DF2BE0AF152725C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H00FC9A8E5DBE442DA746C1B1C1A3E664"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Volunteer</header><text>The term <term>volunteer</term> means any individual who performs volunteer services under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC88057C4F0EB473FB9EC8A31D0777380"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall carry out a program under which the Secretary concerned shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HB33CB2F04492463CB17CC3C653F14206"><enum>(1)</enum><text>enhance private-sector volunteer programs;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H291D0D781F3445C9A1ADA18F8204BF3E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>actively promote private-sector volunteer opportunities; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD71FFCD086CC453692900E4DC525098C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide outreach to, and coordinate with, the private sector for the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H4276D082CF5E4027BF3147A9127B5AA2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Cooperative agreements for stewardship of Federal land</header> <paragraph id="H18267CC8BC6E4383A35DC4E73DC064D5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authority to enter into agreements</header><text>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 management agency in accordance with this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1D666FB0FDB2460B98878EDD5A5A5335"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Project and program instructions</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall include in the cooperative agreement the desired outcomes of the project or program and the guidelines for the volunteers to follow, including—</text> <subparagraph id="H660CCB5CBCBD40459FF860DDC82B83A3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the physical boundaries of the project or program;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H85C5ABF5283D4CF59410818E1C731064"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the equipment the volunteers are authorized to use to complete the project or program;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC4019E9A32284FF88C07B806D7AEC640"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the training the volunteers are required to complete, including agency consideration and incorporation of training offered by qualified nongovernmental organizations and volunteer partner organizations;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H83229988846E4CECB136773C5D1D1470"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the actions the volunteers are authorized to take to complete the project or program; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD1C77781C7E044EDB0C80F3BCE2276C3"><enum>(E)</enum><text>any other information that the Secretary concerned determines necessary for the volunteer group to complete the project or program.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6D599900862543F7AE35D9CA433B10E3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorized projects and programs</header><text>Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary concerned may use a cooperative agreement to carry out projects and programs for Federal land that—</text> <subparagraph id="H576EC6260B574B8C8062E87AF017F370"><enum>(A)</enum><text>promote the stewardship of resources of Federal land by volunteers;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H54C398012F3A4E00876B5AC328FB9463"><enum>(B)</enum><text>support maintaining the resources, trails, and facilities on Federal land in a sustainable manner;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA5A8BCD97B554243BE5EF3DDE7739F46"><enum>(C)</enum><text>increase awareness, understanding, and stewardship of Federal land through the development, publication, or distribution of educational materials and products; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3F852D64BD1847C2B4CFDBEBAB368256"><enum>(D)</enum><text>promote the use of Federal land as outdoor classrooms.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6DEC1761942947B98D7B28F1435F909E"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Conditions on use of authority</header><text>The Secretary concerned may use a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) to carry out a project or program for the Federal land only if the project or program—</text>
<subparagraph id="H448EC5933C9842A8952EF98C5AFDF834"><enum>(A)</enum><text>complies with all Federal laws (including regulations) and policies;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H794D378A123448B59EC1D92705413034"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is consistent with an applicable management plan for any Federal recreational lands and waters involved;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H086DA87B165243C68A9C47F882CCDA43"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is monitored by the relevant Federal land management agency during the project and after project completion to determine compliance with the instructions under paragraph (2); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6B1E918348F6428C9B24166402DBAF16"><enum>(D)</enum><text>satisfies such other terms and conditions as the Secretary concerned determines to be appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HC21AD0EA77CD4D2D9F4E241BB62A6B63"><enum>302.</enum><header>Enhancing outdoor recreation through public lands service organizations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In carrying out projects on Federal recreational lands and waters that would directly or indirectly enhance recreation, the Secretaries shall—</text> <paragraph id="H22577862774E402D8BB307CAA23F60A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to the maximum extent practicable—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF2618CEB350D4E7E8A97112DDCDF8B8B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>use qualified youth or conservation corps as defined in section 203(11) of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1722">16 U.S.C. 1722(11)</external-xref>); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HAE90689211C94CCDB3FEC75ED714BC1D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>use non-profit wilderness and trails stewardship organizations;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H69F32283EFFC4C6A86DB53C757639051"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">enter into cooperative agreements with the Corps Network, the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, American Trails, and other public lands stewardship organizations, as appropriate, for the purpose of identifying appropriate projects, activities, and workforce development outcomes; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H4605C0BFE56C49EFB60BE1209F99662A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>waive any matching funds requirements, including under section 212(a)(1) of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1729">16 U.S.C. 1729(a)(1)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></section>