[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3266 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 3266

 To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access 
            to, Federal public land, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 18, 2021

  Mr. Manchin (for himself and Mr. Barrasso) introduced the following 
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                           Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access 
            to, Federal public land, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Outdoor Recreation 
Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
              TITLE I--INCREASING RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

Sec. 101. Permit relief.
Sec. 102. Planning and managing for recreation.
Sec. 103. Forest Service climbing guidance.
Sec. 104. Target shooting ranges.
              TITLE II--IMPROVING RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

Sec. 201. Broadband internet connectivity at recreation sites.
Sec. 202. Federal land and aquatic resource activities assistance.
Sec. 203. Improved recreation visitation data.
Sec. 204. Travel management.
TITLE III--INVESTING IN RECREATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

Sec. 301. Gateway communities.
Sec. 302. Forest Service conservation finance partnerships.
Sec. 303. Availability of Federal land infrastructure during shoulder 
                            seasons.
Sec. 304. Public-private partnerships to modernize campgrounds on 
                            Federal land.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means--
                    (A) land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; 
                and
                    (B) National Forest System land.
            (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (3) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means each of--
                    (A) the Secretary; and
                    (B) the Secretary of Agriculture.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (5) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Secretary, with respect to land under the 
                jurisdiction of the Secretary; or
                    (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
                National Forest System land.

              TITLE I--INCREASING RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

SEC. 101. PERMIT RELIEF.

    (a) Definition of Youth Group.--In this section, the term ``youth 
group'' means any of the following that serves individuals not older 
than 25 years of age:
            (1) A nonprofit organization.
            (2) A youth service organization.
            (3) An educational institution.
            (4) A faith-based organization.
    (b) Removal of Permit Requirements for Certain Areas.--If the 
Secretary concerned does not require the public to obtain a permit or 
reservation to access an existing picnic area, the Secretary concerned 
may not require an outfitter or guide serving fewer than 40 clients to 
obtain a permit to access that site.
    (c) Study on Access for Youth Groups to Federal Land and Permits.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall--
                    (A) conduct a study on impediments relating to 
                permitting that are hindering the ability of youth 
                groups to access and recreate on Federal land; and
                    (B) 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 the findings of the study under subparagraph 
                (A).
            (2) Temporary permits and de minimis use permits.--For 
        purposes of the study conducted under paragraph (1)(A), for the 
        4-year period beginning on the date that is 1 year before the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall--
                    (A) assess the frequency and appropriateness of the 
                issuance of temporary permits or other special 
                recreation permits for youth groups on Federal land;
                    (B) assess the quantity of requests made by youth 
                groups to access a publicly accessible site on a unit 
                of the National Forest System, Federal land 
                administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, or Federal 
                land administered by the Bureau of Land Management;
                    (C) provide any recommendations to facilitate and 
                streamline access and recreation by youth groups; and
                    (D) consider any implications regarding the health 
                and safety of participants and liability exposure of 
                the Secretaries and the youth groups.
    (d) Voluntary Return of Surplus Service Days.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary concerned shall establish a 
        program to allow a permittee issued a special recreation permit 
        for a public land unit to voluntarily and temporarily return to 
        the Secretary concerned 1 or more service days, to be made 
        available to any other existing or potential permittee.
            (2) Effect.--The return of surplus service days shall not 
        affect future-year special recreation permits or the number of 
        service days available to the permittee in future years.

SEC. 102. PLANNING AND MANAGING FOR RECREATION.

    (a) Policy.--
            (1) In general.--It is the policy of the Federal Government 
        to foster and encourage recreation on Federal land, consistent 
        with--
                    (A) the multiple-use mission of the applicable 
                Federal land management agency; and
                    (B) the laws applicable to specific areas of 
                Federal land.
            (2) Administration.--The Secretary concerned shall carry 
        out the policy described in paragraph (1) in administering 
        programs and activities authorized by law.
    (b) Definition of Land Management Plan.--In this section, the term 
``land management plan'' means--
            (1) a land use plan prepared by the Secretary pursuant to 
        section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
        1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712); and
            (2) a land management plan prepared by the Forest Service 
        for a unit of the National Forest Service pursuant to section 6 
        of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
        1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
    (c) Inventory and Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--In developing or revising a land 
        management plan, the Secretary concerned shall conduct, using 
        public outreach, an inventory and assessment of recreation 
        resources for the Federal land subject to the land management 
        plan.
            (2) Unique recreation values.--An inventory and assessment 
        conducted under paragraph (1) shall recognize--
                    (A) any unique recreation values and uses of each 
                landscape that make a landscape, or a portion of a 
                landscape, desirable for a particular type of 
                recreation opportunity; and
                    (B) points of concentrated use by recreationists.
            (3) Inventory.--The inventory under paragraph (1) shall 
        identify and list recreation resources by--
                    (A) type of recreation and type of natural or 
                manmade recreation infrastructure;
                    (B) to the extent available, the level and 
                demographics of use of the recreation resource as of 
                the date of the inventory; and
                    (C) any trend relating to recreation opportunities 
                or use.
            (4) Assessment.--For any recreation resource inventoried 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall assess--
                    (A) the level of demand for the recreation 
                resource;
                    (B) the maintenance needs of, and expenses 
                necessary to administer, the recreation resource;
                    (C) the benefits of current and projected future 
                recreation use, including to the local economy;
                    (D) the impacts of current and projected future 
                recreation use on--
                            (i) natural, cultural, and other resources; 
                        and
                            (ii) other authorized uses and activities 
                        on the Federal land subject to the land 
                        management plan; and
                    (E) the suitability for developing, expanding, or 
                enhancing the recreation resource.
    (d) Future Recreation Needs and Management.--
            (1) Future needs.--Based on the inventory and assessment 
        under subsection (c)(1), the Secretary concerned shall--
                    (A) consider future recreation needs;
                    (B) identify underutilized locations that are 
                suitable for developing, expanding, or enhancing 
                recreation use; and
                    (C) select additional high-value recreation 
                resources at which to encourage recreation use.
            (2) Savings clause.--The Secretary concerned shall manage 
        any high-value recreation resource identified under paragraph 
        (1)(C) in a manner that--
                    (A) is consistent with applicable law;
                    (B) recognizes other uses and activities in the 
                area of the high-value recreation resource;
                    (C) seeks input from the public, including adjacent 
                landowners and individuals or entities with existing 
                permits and leases; and
                    (D) protects and enhances the recreation values of 
                the high-value recreation resource.
            (3) Forecasts.--In developing or revising a land management 
        plan, the Secretary concerned shall predict the manner in which 
        the following would change under the desired future conditions 
        identified in the applicable land management plan:
                    (A) The number of visitors to the respective unit 
                of Federal land.
                    (B) The maintenance needs of, and the expenses 
                necessary to administer, the recreation resources on 
                the respective unit of Federal land.
                    (C) The benefits of recreation use, including to 
                the local economy.
                    (D) The impacts of recreation use on--
                            (i) natural, cultural, or other resources; 
                        and
                            (ii) other authorized uses and activities 
                        on the Federal land subject to the land 
                        management plan.

SEC. 103. FOREST SERVICE CLIMBING GUIDANCE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) recreational climbing in wilderness areas on National 
        Forest System land is being managed inconsistently; and
            (2) recreational climbing is a legitimate and appropriate 
        use of wilderness areas on National Forest System land if the 
        recreational climbing is conducted and managed in accordance 
        with--
                    (A) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.);
                    (B) other applicable laws (including regulations); 
                and
                    (C) any reasonable terms and conditions that are 
                determined to be necessary by the Secretary of 
                Agriculture.
    (b) Climbing Guidance in Wilderness.--Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall issue guidance on climbing management for National Forest System 
land, including the placement, maintenance, or removal of fixed anchors 
and the appropriate use of other equipment in designated wilderness 
areas on National Forest System land under the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).
    (c) Public Notice and Comment.--Prior to taking any significant 
management action affecting recreational climbing on National Forest 
System land, the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide the public with 
notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed action.

SEC. 104. TARGET SHOOTING RANGES.

    (a) Definition of Designated Shooting Range.--In this section, the 
term ``designated shooting range'' means a developed and managed area 
on Federal land that is designed and operated specifically for the 
purposeful discharge of legal firearms, firearms training, archery, or 
other associated activities.
    (b) Identification of Designated Shooting Range.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretaries shall identify a suitable 
        location for, and construct, designated shooting ranges on 
        National Forest System land and public land administered by the 
        Bureau of Land Management for the public to use for 
        recreational target shooting.
            (2) Minimum number of ranges.--To the maximum extent 
        practicable--
                    (A) the Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that 
                each National Forest has not fewer than 1 designated 
                shooting range; and
                    (B) the Secretary shall ensure each Bureau of Land 
                Management district has not fewer than 1 designated 
                shooting range.
            (3) Requirements.--A designated shooting range under 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A)(i) shall be able to accommodate rifles, 
                pistols, and shotguns; and
                    (ii) may accommodate archery;
                    (B) shall include--
                            (i) significantly modified landscapes, 
                        including berms, buffer distances, or other 
                        public safety designs or features;
                            (ii) a designated firing line; and
                            (iii) benches; and
                    (C) may include--
                            (i) shade structures;
                            (ii) trash containers;
                            (iii) restrooms; and
                            (iv) any other features that the Secretary 
                        concerned determines to be necessary.
    (c) Requirements.--
            (1) Existing use.--The Secretaries, in cooperation with the 
        entities described in subsection (d), shall--
                    (A) consider the proximity of areas frequently used 
                by recreational shooters when identifying a suitable 
                location for a designated shooting range; and
                    (B) ensure a designated shooting range would not 
                impact a non-Federal target shooting range, including a 
                target shooting range located on private land.
            (2) Closures.--Except in emergency situations, the 
        Secretary concerned shall seek to ensure that a designated 
        shooting range, or an equivalent shooting range adjacent to a 
        National Forest or Bureau of Land Management district, is 
        available to the public prior to closing Federal land to 
        recreational shooting.
    (d) Cooperation.--In carrying out this section, the Secretaries 
shall cooperate, as applicable, with--
            (1) local and Tribal governments;
            (2) nonprofit organizations;
            (3) State fish and wildlife agencies;
            (4) shooting clubs;
            (5) Federal advisory councils relating to hunting and 
        shooting sports;
            (6) nongovernmental organizations that, as of the date of 
        enactment of this Act, are signatories to the memorandum of 
        understanding entitled ``Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing, and 
        Shooting Sports Roundtable Memorandum of Understanding'' and 
        signed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management 
        on August 17, 2006;
            (7) individuals or entities with authorized leases or 
        permits in an area under consideration for a designated 
        shooting range; and
            (8) the public.
    (e) Restrictions.--
            (1) In general.--The management of a designated shooting 
        range shall be subject to such conditions as the Secretary 
        concerned determines are necessary for the safe, responsible 
        use of--
                    (A) the designated shooting range; and
                    (B) the adjacent resources.
            (2) Fees.--The Secretary concerned may not require a user 
        to pay a fee to use a designated shooting range established 
        under this section.
    (f) Annual Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretaries 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 describing the progress made with respect to the 
implementation of this section.

              TITLE II--IMPROVING RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

SEC. 201. BROADBAND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AT RECREATION SITES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary and the Chief of the Forest Service 
shall enter into an agreement with the Administrator of the Rural 
Utilities Service to install or construct broadband internet 
infrastructure at recreation sites on Federal land to establish 
broadband internet connectivity--
            (1) subject to the availability of appropriations; and
            (2) consistent with applicable law.
    (b) Identification.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary and the 
Chief of the Forest Service, in coordination with States, shall make 
publically available--
            (1) a list of the highest priority recreation sites on 
        Federal land that lack broadband internet; and
            (2) an estimate of the cost to equip each of those sites 
        with broadband internet infrastructure.
    (c) Priorities.--In selecting recreation sites for the list 
described in subsection (b)(1), the Secretary and the Chief of the 
Forest Service shall give priority to recreation sites--
            (1) at which broadband internet infrastructure has not been 
        constructed by traditional utilities due to--
                    (A) geographic challenges; or
                    (B) the location having an insufficient number of 
                permanent residents, despite high seasonal or daily 
                visitation levels; or
            (2) that are located in an economically distressed county 
        that could benefit significantly from developing the outdoor 
        recreation economy of the county.

SEC. 202. FEDERAL LAND AND AQUATIC RESOURCE ACTIVITIES ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Aquatic nuisance species task force.--The term 
        ``Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force'' means the Aquatic 
        Nuisance Species Task Force established by section 1201(a) of 
        the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act 
        of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4721(a)).
            (2) Federal land and water.--The term ``Federal land and 
        water'' means Federal land and water operated and maintained by 
        the Bureau of Land Management or the National Park Service, as 
        applicable.
            (3) Inspection.--The term ``inspection'' means an 
        inspection to prevent and respond to biological invasions of an 
        aquatic ecosystem.
            (4) Partner.--The term ``partner'' means--
                    (A) a Reclamation State;
                    (B) an Indian Tribe in a Reclamation State;
                    (C) an applicable nonprofit organization in a 
                Reclamation State; or
                    (D) a unit of local government in a Reclamation 
                State.
            (5) Reclamation state.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``Reclamation State'' 
                means any State in which a Bureau of Reclamation 
                reservoir is located.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``Reclamation State'' 
                includes any of the States of--
                            (i) Alaska;
                            (ii) Arizona;
                            (iii) California;
                            (iv) Colorado;
                            (v) Idaho;
                            (vi) Kansas;
                            (vii) Montana;
                            (viii) Nebraska;
                            (ix) Nevada;
                            (x) New Mexico;
                            (xi) North Dakota;
                            (xii) Oklahoma;
                            (xiii) Oregon;
                            (xiv) South Dakota;
                            (xv) Texas;
                            (xvi) Utah;
                            (xvii) Washington; and
                            (xviii) Wyoming.
    (b) Authority of Bureau of Land Management and National Park 
Service With Respect to Certain Aquatic Resource Activities on Federal 
Land and Water.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may inspect and 
        decontaminate watercraft entering and leaving Federal land and 
        water located within a river basin that contains a Bureau of 
        Reclamation water project.
            (2) Requirements.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Bureau of Land Management and the Director of 
        the National Park Service, shall--
                    (A) in carrying out an inspection under paragraph 
                (1), coordinate with 1 or more partners;
                    (B) consult with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task 
                Force to identify potential improvements in the 
                detection and management of invasive species on Federal 
                land and water; and
                    (C) to the maximum extent practicable, inspect 
                watercraft in a manner that minimizes disruptions to 
                public access for boating and recreation in 
                noncontaminated watercraft.
            (3) Partnerships.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Bureau of Land Management and the Director of 
        the National Park Service, may enter into a partnership to 
        provide technical assistance to a partner--
                    (A) to carry out an inspection or decontamination 
                of watercraft; or
                    (B) to establish an inspection and decontamination 
                station for watercraft.
    (c) Grant Program for Reclamation States for Watercraft Inspection 
and Decontamination Stations.--
            (1) Watercraft inspection in reclamation states.--Subject 
        to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary, acting 
        through the Commissioner of Reclamation, shall establish a 
        competitive grant program to provide grants to partners to 
        conduct inspections and decontamination of watercraft in 
        reservoirs operated and maintained by the Secretary, including 
        to purchase, establish, operate, or maintain a watercraft 
        inspection and decontamination station.
            (2) Cost share.--The Federal share of the cost of a grant 
        under paragraph (1), including personnel costs, shall not 
        exceed 75 percent.
            (3) Standards.--Before awarding a grant under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall determine that the project is 
        technically and financially feasible.
            (4) Coordination.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall coordinate with--
                    (A) each of the Reclamation States;
                    (B) affected Indian Tribes; and
                    (C) the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.

SEC. 203. IMPROVED RECREATION VISITATION DATA.

    (a) In General.--The Secretaries shall establish a single 
visitation data management and modeling system for public recreation to 
provide accurate, real-time visitation data, at a site-specific level 
and in a consistent manner, with respect to Federal land managed by 
each of--
            (1) the Chief of the Forest Service;
            (2) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
            (3) the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, in 
        coordination with Indian Tribes;
            (4) the Director of the National Park Service;
            (5) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
        Service; and
            (6) the Commissioner of Reclamation.
    (b) Third-Party Providers and Partners.--For purposes of carrying 
out this section, the Secretary concerned shall coordinate or contract 
with private sector partners, including--
            (1) technology companies;
            (2) mapping companies;
            (3) experts in data science, analytics, and operations 
        research; or
            (4) data companies.
    (c) Interface.--The Secretaries shall coordinate with trade 
associations, State outdoor recreation offices, offices of tourism, and 
local outdoor recreation marketing organizations to design and deploy, 
for purposes of making data available under subsection (a), the optimum 
user interface that balances ease of use by the public with the 
available resources of the Secretaries.
    (d) Smart Phone Technology.--The Secretaries and any partner 
described in subsection (b) may make use of smart phone technology for 
purposes of making data available under subsection (a).
    (e) Privacy Clause.--Nothing in this section provides authority to 
the Secretaries--
            (1) to monitor or record the movements of a visitor to 
        Federal land;
            (2) to restrict, interfere with, or monitor a private 
        communication of a visitor to Federal land;
            (3) to take possession of any documents, data, or other 
        personal effects of a visitor to Federal land; or
            (4) to collect--
                    (A) information from owners of land adjacent to 
                Federal land; or
                    (B) information on non-Federal land.
    (f) Categories of Use.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretaries shall categorize the data collected under subsection (a) by 
recreational activity.
    (g) Limitation.--Information or data collected under this section 
shall be limited only to actual recreation visitation information for 
recreation sites managed by the Secretary concerned.
    (h) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2024, and annually 
thereafter, the Secretaries shall publish on a website of the 
Secretaries a report that describes the annual visitation of each unit 
of Federal land, including, to the maximum extent practicable, 
visitation categorized by recreational activity.

SEC. 204. TRAVEL MANAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretaries shall--
            (1) prioritize finalizing travel management planning 
        activities of the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest 
        Service, as applicable, including evaluating and designating as 
        open, limited, or closed applicable Federal land areas or 
        routes, roads, trails, or staging areas on applicable Federal 
        land for nonmotorized or motorized use, including for over-snow 
        vehicles; and
            (2) not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, develop a ground transportation linear feature or 
        motor vehicle use map and over-snow vehicle use map for each 
        district administered by the Bureau of Land Management and each 
        unit of the National Forest System, in a printed and publically 
        available format that is compliant with the format for 
        geographic information systems.
    (b) Procedures.--For purposes of meeting the requirements of 
subsection (a), the Secretary concerned--
            (1) may use an existing evaluation or designation;
            (2) may evaluate and alter an existing designation for 
        applicable Federal land areas or routes, roads, trails, or 
        staging areas on applicable Federal land in accordance with 
        applicable laws (including regulations);
            (3) shall consider--
                    (A) the protection of the resources of the Federal 
                land;
                    (B) the promotion of the safety of the users of the 
                Federal land;
                    (C) the minimization of conflicts among various 
                uses of the Federal land; and
                    (D) other designation criteria or route options 
                developed by the Secretaries at the local level, such 
                as seasonal restrictions, temporary or seasonal access, 
                minimization of impacts to wildlife, and other 
                appropriate criteria or options;
            (4) shall increase--
                    (A) multiple-use recreation opportunities; and
                    (B) opportunities for nonmotorized and motorized 
                access and experiences on Federal land;
            (5) shall coordinate with States, local governments, Indian 
        Tribes, other stakeholders, adjoining landowners, businesses 
        that use the features on Federal land, and the public; and
            (6) shall update any travel management plan that was 
        finalized before the date that is 15 years before the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
    (c) Rulemaking.--The Secretaries may revise existing regulations to 
implement this section.
    (d) Effect.--Nothing in this section limits or restricts--
            (1) emergency access use or the administrative use of the 
        Federal land by the Secretary concerned by motorized or 
        nonmotorized means, including any use or activity necessary to 
        carry out terms and conditions associated with an authorized 
        permit, lease, or contract with respect to the Federal land; or
            (2) any other motorized or nonmotorized use or activity on 
        the Federal land that is authorized on the applicable Federal 
        land, as determined by the Secretary concerned.
    (e) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretaries 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 the progress of 
the Secretaries in carrying out this section.

TITLE III--INVESTING IN RECREATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

SEC. 301. GATEWAY COMMUNITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the 
Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service), in 
coordination with the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce, shall 
provide to businesses in rural communities that are adjacent to 
recreation destinations (including recreation destinations on Federal 
land) the assistance described in subsection (b) to establish, operate, 
or expand infrastructure to accommodate and manage sustainable 
visitation, including hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants.
    (b) Assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture may provide 
assistance under subsection (a) through the use of existing, or the 
establishment of new, entrepreneur and vocational training programs, 
technical assistance programs, low-interest business loan programs, and 
loan guarantee programs.

SEC. 302. FOREST SERVICE CONSERVATION FINANCE PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) innovative funding models are an appropriate way to 
        develop and maintain recreation infrastructure on Federal land; 
        and
            (2) in carrying out this section, the Secretary of 
        Agriculture should build on the successes of the Baileys 
        Mountain Bike Trail System project on the Wayne National 
        Forest, which was designed specifically to make Athens County, 
        Ohio, a more popular recreation destination.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Conservation partner.--The term ``conservation 
        partner'' means--
                    (A) a private nonprofit, for-profit, or charitable 
                entity or other person; or
                    (B) a unit of State, local, or Tribal government.
            (2) Independent evaluator.--The term ``independent 
        evaluator'' means an individual or entity, including an 
        institution of higher education, that is selected by the 
        Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with a conservation 
        partner, to make the determinations and prepare the reports 
        required under subsection (f).
            (3) Project.--The term ``project'' means 1 or more 
        activities conducted on National Forest System land, or on 
        other land if the activities would benefit National Forest 
        System land, to enhance a recreational opportunity for which 
        the Secretary of Agriculture has approved a record of decision, 
        decision notice, or decision memo.
            (4) Project agreement.--The term ``project agreement'' 
        means a cooperative agreement, a mutual benefit agreement, or a 
        contract, as appropriate, executed by the Secretary of 
        Agriculture and a project broker or a conservation partner in 
        accordance with applicable law.
            (5) Project broker.--The term ``project broker'' means a 
        nonprofit or for-profit intermediary that assists in 
        establishing or implementing a project agreement.
    (c) Establishment of Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall establish a pilot program in accordance with this section to 
carry out 1 or more projects that are financed by conservation 
partners.
    (d) Project Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding the Act of June 30, 1914 
        (commonly known as the ``Cooperative Funds Act'') (16 U.S.C. 
        498), or subtitle C of title XX of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1397n et seq.), in carrying out the pilot program under 
        this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may enter into a 
        project agreement with a conservation partner or a project 
        broker under which the conservation partner or project broker 
        agrees to pay for all or part of a project.
            (2) Term.--The term of a project agreement shall be not 
        longer than 20 years.
            (3) Size limitation.--The Secretary of Agriculture may not 
        enter into a project agreement under the pilot program under 
        this section for a project valued at more than $10,000,000.
            (4) Structure of agreements.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, funds may be exchanged between non-Federal 
        parties under a project agreement, if--
                    (A) the project agreement uses an innovative 
                funding model, such as pay-for-performance, or pay-for-
                success, under which payments are paid when specified 
                recreation-related outcomes are met; and
                    (B) an independent evaluator determines pursuant to 
                subsection (f) that the outcome specified in the 
                project agreement has been met.
            (5) Maintenance and decommissioning.--A project agreement 
        shall--
                    (A) include a plan for maintaining any capital 
                improvement made as part of a project after the date on 
                which the project is completed; and
                    (B) specify the party that will be responsible for 
                decommissioning the improvements associated with the 
                project--
                            (i) at the end of the useful life of the 
                        improvements; or
                            (ii) if the project fails.
            (6) Eligible payments.--Under a project agreement, a 
        conservation partner, a project broker, or the Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall agree to pay to the other party to the 
        project agreement any of the following:
                    (A) A percentage of the estimated value of the 
                outcomes achieved by the applicable project.
                    (B) A percentage of the estimated cost savings to 
                the conservation partner or the Secretary of 
                Agriculture as a result of the project.
                    (C) A percentage of the enhanced revenue to the 
                conservation partner or the Secretary of Agriculture as 
                a result of the project.
                    (D) The cost of the project.
            (7) Cost-share.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, the Secretary of Agriculture may only 
        contribute funding for a project if--
                    (A) the Secretary of Agriculture demonstrates the 
                project will provide a cost savings to the United 
                States; and
                    (B) the contribution of the Secretary of 
                Agriculture is in an amount equal to less than 50 
                percent of the total cost of the project.
            (8) Consultants.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, the Secretary of Agriculture may hire a 
        contractor--
                    (A) to conduct a feasibility analysis of a proposed 
                project; or
                    (B) to assist in the formation or evaluation of a 
                proposed project.
    (e) Projects.--
            (1) In general.--All or any portion of a project may be 
        implemented by--
                    (A) the Secretary of Agriculture; or
                    (B) a conservation partner or third party, subject 
                to the conditions that--
                            (i) the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
                        approve the implementation by the conservation 
                        partner or third party; and
                            (ii) the implementation shall be in 
                        accordance with applicable law.
            (2) Relation to land and resource management plans.--A 
        project carried out under this section shall be consistent with 
        any applicable land and resource management plan developed 
        under section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
        Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
            (3) Ownership.--
                    (A) In general.--Each project shall be vested to 
                the United States.
                    (B) Treatment.--The carrying out of any action for 
                a project does not provide any right to any party to a 
                project agreement.
            (4) Potential conflicts.--Before approving a project under 
        this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consider and 
        seek to avoid potential conflicts (including economic 
        competition) with an existing authorization.
    (f) Independent Evaluations.--
            (1) Progress reports.--An independent evaluator shall 
        submit to the Secretary of Agriculture and each party to the 
        relevant project agreement a written report--
                    (A) by not later than 2 years after the date on 
                which a project agreement is executed, and not less 
                frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, 
                summarizing the progress that has been made in 
                achieving each outcome specified in the project 
                agreement; and
                    (B) before the first scheduled outcome payment 
                date, and each subsequent payment date, summarizing the 
                results of the evaluation conducted to determine 
                whether an outcome payment should be made, together 
                with information relating to the factors contributing 
                to the conservation partner achieving, or failing to 
                achieve, an outcome.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        on which a project is completed, the applicable independent 
        evaluator shall submit to the Secretary of Agriculture and each 
        party to the relevant project agreement a written report that 
        includes--
                    (A) an evaluation of the effects of the project 
                with respect to each outcome specified in the project 
                agreement; and
                    (B) a determination of whether the conservation 
                partner has met each outcome specified in the project 
                agreement.
    (g) Termination of Project Agreements.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture may unilaterally terminate a project agreement, in whole or 
in part, for any program year beginning after the program year during 
which the Secretary of Agriculture provides to each party to the 
project agreement a notice of the termination.
    (h) Duration of Pilot Program.--
            (1) Sunset.--The authority to enter into project agreements 
        under this section terminates on September 30, 2032.
            (2) Savings clause.--Nothing in paragraph (1) affects any 
        project agreement entered into by the Secretary of Agriculture 
        pursuant to this section before the date described in that 
        paragraph.

SEC. 303. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL LAND INFRASTRUCTURE DURING SHOULDER 
              SEASONS.

    (a) Coordination.--The Secretaries shall consult and coordinate 
with outdoor recreation-related businesses operating on or adjacent to 
Federal land, State offices of outdoor recreation, local destination 
marketing organizations, Indian Tribes, local governments, and 
institutions of higher education--
            (1) to better understand trends with respect to visitors to 
        the Federal land;
            (2) to coordinate with outdoor recreation marketing 
        campaigns; and
            (3) to better understand--
                    (A) the effect of seasonal closures of areas of, or 
                infrastructure on, Federal land on outdoor recreation 
                opportunities, adjacent businesses, and local tax 
                revenue; and
                    (B) opportunities to extend the period of time 
                during which areas of, or infrastructure on, Federal 
                land are open to the public to increase outdoor 
                recreation opportunities and associated revenues for 
                businesses and local governments.
    (b) Availability of Infrastructure.--The Secretaries shall make 
efforts to make infrastructure available to accommodate increased 
visitation to the Federal land during shoulder seasons--
            (1) to extend the outdoor recreation season and the 
        duration of income to gateway communities; and
            (2) to provide more opportunities to visit resources on 
        Federal land to reduce crowding during peak seasons.
    (c) Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretaries may enter into agreements 
        with businesses, local governments, or other entities to share 
        the cost of additional expenses necessary to extend the period 
        of time during which an area of, or infrastructure on, Federal 
        land is made open to the public.
            (2) In-kind contributions.--The Secretaries may accept in-
        kind contributions of goods and services provided by 
        businesses, local governments, or other entities for purposes 
        of paragraph (1).

SEC. 304. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO MODERNIZE CAMPGROUNDS ON 
              FEDERAL LAND.

    (a) In General.--The Secretaries shall establish a pilot program 
under which the Secretary concerned may enter into an agreement with a 
private entity providing for capital improvements (including the 
construction of structures and improvements), management, and 
maintenance by the private entity of a campground, in existence on the 
date of enactment of this Act, on Federal land, subject to the 
requirements of this section.
    (b) Minimum Number of Agreements.--Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall enter into 
at least 1 agreement under subsection (a) in--
            (1) a unit of the National Forest System in each region of 
        the National Forest System; and
            (2) Federal land administered by the Bureau of Land 
        Management in not fewer than 5 States in which the Bureau of 
        Land Management administers Federal land.
    (c) Requirements.--
            (1) Plans.--Before entering into an agreement under 
        subsection (a), the private entity shall submit to the 
        Secretary concerned a development plan that--
                    (A) describes investments in the campground to be 
                made by the private entity during the first 3 years of 
                the agreement;
                    (B) describes annual maintenance spending for each 
                year of the agreement; and
                    (C) includes any other terms and conditions 
                determined to be necessary by the Secretary concerned.
            (2) Agreements.--An agreement entered into under subsection 
        (a) shall--
                    (A) be for a term of not more than 30 years;
                    (B) require that, not later than 3 years after the 
                date on which the Secretary concerned enters into an 
                agreement the private entity expend, or place in an 
                escrow account for expenditure, for the construction or 
                improvement of structures and infrastructure relating 
                to the operation of, or access to, the applicable 
                campground, not less than $2,000,000, or a specified 
                percentage, as determined by the Secretary concerned, 
                of the anticipated receipts for the period of the 
                agreement;
                    (C) require the private entity to maintain the 
                campground facility and any associated infrastructure 
                designated by the Secretary concerned in a manner 
                acceptable to the Secretary concerned and the private 
                entity;
                    (D) include any terms and conditions that the 
                Secretary concerned determines to be necessary for a 
                recreational special use permit issued under section 7 
                of the Act of April 24, 1950 (commonly known as the 
                ``Granger-Thye Act'') (64 Stat. 84, chapter 97; 16 
                U.S.C. 580d), including the payment described in 
                subparagraph (E);
                    (E) provide for payment to the Federal Government 
                of a fee consistent with a special use permit under 
                section 7 of the Act of April 24, 1950 (commonly known 
                as the ``Granger-Thye Act'') (64 Stat. 84, chapter 97; 
                16 U.S.C. 580d), including a fee offset agreement for 
                work to be performed that is separate from maintaining 
                the campground facility and any associated 
                infrastructure designated by the Secretary concerned, 
                if determined to be appropriate by the Secretary 
                concerned, on consideration of the probable value to 
                the private entity of the rights provided by the 
                agreement, taking into account the capital invested by, 
                and obligations of, the private entity under the 
                agreement;
                    (F) include provisions that state--
                            (i) the private entity shall obtain no 
                        property interest pursuant to the expenditures 
                        of the private entity, as required by the 
                        agreement; and
                            (ii) all structures and improvements 
                        constructed by the private entity under the 
                        agreement shall be the property of the United 
                        States; and
                    (G) be subject to any other terms and conditions 
                determined to be necessary by the Secretary concerned.
    (d) Fee Retention.--A fee or revenue shared with the Secretary 
concerned under an agreement authorized by this section shall be 
available for expenditure by the Secretary concerned for recreation-
related purposes on the unit of Federal land at which the fee or 
revenue is collected, without further appropriation.
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