117 HR 3107 IH: Improving Outdoor Recreation Coordination Act U.S. House of Representatives 2023-05-05 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.

I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3107IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 5, 2023Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Outdoor Recreation Coordination Act.

2.

Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation

(a)

Definitions

Section 200102 of title 54, United States Code, is amended—(1)by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (4) and (5) respectively; and(2)by inserting before paragraph (4), as so redesignated, the following: (1)

Council

The term Council means the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation established under section 200104.(2)

Federal land management agency

The 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).(3)

Federal recreational lands and waters

The 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)..(b)

Establishment of Council

Section 200104 of title 54, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

200104.

Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish an interagency council, to be known as the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation.(b)

Composition

(1)

In general

The Council shall be composed of representatives of each of the following agencies, to be appointed by the head of the respective agency:(A)The National Park Service.(B)The Bureau of Land Management.(C)The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.(D)The Bureau of Indian Affairs.(E)The Bureau of Reclamation.(F)The Forest Service.(G)The Corps of Engineers.(H)The National Marine Fisheries Service.(2)

Additional participants

In addition to the members of the Council appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary may invite participation in the Council’s meetings or other activities from representatives of the following:(A)The Council on Environmental Quality.(B)The Natural Resources Conservation Service.(C)Rural development programs of the Department of Agriculture.(D)The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.(E)The Environmental Protection Agency.(F)The Department of Transportation, including the Federal Highway Administration. (G)The Tennessee Valley Authority.(H)The Department of Commerce, including—(i)the Bureau of Economic Analysis;(ii)the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;(iii)the National Travel and Tourism Office; and(iv)the Economic Development Administration.(I)The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.(J)An applicable State agency or office.(K)An applicable agency or office of a local government.(3)

State coordination

In determining additional participants under this subsection, the Secretary shall seek to ensure that States are invited and represented in the Council’s meetings or other activities.(4)

Leadership

The leadership of the Council shall rotate annually among the Council members appointed under paragraph (1), or as otherwise determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture, Defense, and Commerce.(5)

Funding

Notwithstanding section 708 of title VII of division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328), the Council members appointed under paragraph (1) may enter into agreements to share the management and operational costs of the Council.(c)

Coordination

The Council shall meet as frequently as appropriate for the purposes of coordinating—(1)recreation management policies across Federal agencies, including implementation of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.);(2)the response by Federal land management agencies to public health emergencies or other emergencies that result in disruptions to, or closures of, Federal recreational lands and waters;(3)the expenditure of funds relating to outdoor recreation on Federal recreational lands and waters, including funds made available under section 40804(b)(7) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 6592a(b)(7));(4)the adoption and expansion of emerging technologies on Federal recreational lands and waters;(5)research activities, including quantifying the economic impacts of recreation;(6)dissemination to the public of recreation-related information (including information relating to opportunities, reservations, accessibility, and closures), in a manner that ensures the recreation-related information is easily accessible with modern communication devices;(7)the improvement of access to Federal recreational lands and waters; and(8)the identification and engagement of partners outside the Federal Government—(A)to promote outdoor recreation;(B)to facilitate collaborative management of outdoor recreation; and(C)to provide additional resources relating to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.(d)

Effect

Nothing in this section affects the authorities, regulations, or policies of any Federal agency described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b).

.(c)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 2001 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 200104 and inserting the following: 200104. Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation.