Recreation Not Red-Tape Act
This bill amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to review the process for the issuance and renewal of special recreation permits, including for cross-jurisdictional trips, with respect to outfitters and guides.
The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall: (1) coordinate with states to allow the purchase of federal and state recreation passes at federal and state facilities in the same transaction, and (2) sell National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and make payment of entrance and standard amenity recreation fees available, through federal websites.
Interior and USDA should work with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that service members and veterans have access to outdoor recreation and to outdoor-related volunteer and wellness programs.
The Forest Service, BLM, and National Park Service may develop management plans for extending the recreation season or increasing recreation use during the offseason.
The Forest Service and BLM shall evaluate land managers based on the achievement of applicable agency recreational and tourism goals.
The Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Transportation shall consider how land and water management decisions can enhance recreation opportunities and the recreation economy.
The bill amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to establish the Ski Area Fee Retention Account. A specified portion of rental charges for ski area permits on a Forest Service unit shall be deposited in such account, and a specified portion of such amounts shall be available to such unit for ski area administration, improvements, and visitor services.
The bill establishes a National Recreation Area System to be comprised of existing National Recreation Areas and new units designated after enactment of this bill.
Interior and USDA shall: (1) develop initiatives to enhance private-sector volunteer programs, actively promote private-sector volunteer opportunities, and provide outreach and coordination to the private sector to carry out projects and programs for the stewardship of federal land; and (2) establish an interagency trail management plan under which federal land management agencies shall coordinate so that trails that cross jurisdictional boundaries between those agencies are uniformly managed and maintained.
[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3400 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3400
To promote innovative approaches to outdoor recreation on Federal land
and to open up opportunities for collaboration with non-Federal
partners, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 26, 2017
Mr. Bishop of Utah introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees
on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce,
and Armed Services, 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 concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote innovative approaches to outdoor recreation on Federal land
and to open up opportunities for collaboration with non-Federal
partners, 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 ``Recreation Not
Red-Tape Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Sense of Congress regarding outdoor recreation.
TITLE I--MODERNIZING RECREATION PERMITTING
Sec. 101. Special recreation permitting.
Sec. 102. Availability of Federal and State recreation passes.
Sec. 103. Online purchases of National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass.
TITLE II--ACCESSING THE OUTDOORS
Sec. 201. Access for servicemembers and veterans.
TITLE III--MAKING RECREATION A PRIORITY
Sec. 301. Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities.
Sec. 302. Recreation performance metrics.
Sec. 303. Recreation mission.
Sec. 304. Ski area fee retention.
Sec. 305. National Recreation Area System.
TITLE IV--MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC LAND
Subtitle A--Volunteers
Sec. 401. Private-sector volunteer enhancement program.
Subtitle B--Priority Trail Maintenance
Sec. 411. Interagency trail management.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 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).
(2) Federal recreational land and water.--The term
``Federal recreational land and water'' has the meaning given
the term ``Federal recreational lands and waters'' in section
802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C.
6801).
(3) Secretaries.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act,
the term ``Secretaries'' means--
(A) the Secretary of the Interior; and
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING OUTDOOR RECREATION.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) outdoor recreation and the $887,000,000,000 outdoor
industry that outdoor recreation supports are vital to the
United States;
(2) access to outdoor recreation on land and waters of the
United States is important to the health and wellness of all
people of the United States, especially young people;
(3) $524,800,000,000 of the amount described in paragraph
(1) contributes to the travel and tourism industry of the
United States, which generates over $2,000,000,000,000 in
annual spending;
(4) outdoor recreation (including hunting, fishing, and
boating) are appropriate uses of public land;
(5) access to healthy public land and water is critical to
supporting the uses described in paragraph (4);
(6) Congress supports the creation of outdoor recreation
sector leadership positions within the economic development
offices of States or in the office of the Governor, as well as
coordination with recreation and tourism organizations within
the State to guide the growth of this sector, as evidenced by
recent examples in the States of Colorado, Utah, and
Washington;
(7) State and local recreation and tourism offices play a
pivotal role in--
(A) coordinating State outdoor recreation policies,
management, and promotion among Federal, State, and
local agencies and entities;
(B) disseminating information, increasing
awareness, and growing demand for outdoor recreation
experiences among visitors across the United States and
throughout the world;
(C) improving funding for, access to, and
participation in outdoor recreation; and
(D) promoting economic development in the State by
coordinating with stakeholders, improving recreational
opportunities, and recruiting outdoor recreation
businesses;
(8) Congress supports the coordination and collaboration of
the Federal and State land and water management agencies in the
delivery of visitor services and management of outdoor
recreation for the United States; and
(9) Congress recognizes--
(A) the growing role that recreation has on public
land and water;
(B) the need to provide adequate staffing within
Federal land management agencies to facilitate
sustainable and accessible outdoor recreation
opportunities; and
(C) the important role that volunteers and
volunteer partnerships play in maintaining public land.
TITLE I--MODERNIZING RECREATION PERMITTING
SEC. 101. SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITTING.
Section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16
U.S.C. 6802(h)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Outfitters and guides.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Associated agency.--The term
`associated agency' means any agency that
manages the land or water on which a minority
portion of the trip or activity that is the
subject of a special recreation permit will
take place.
``(ii) Lead agency.--The term `lead agency'
means the agency that manages the land or water
on which the majority of the trip or activity
that is the subject of the special recreation
permit will take place.
``(B) Outfitter and guide permits.--In issuing
special recreation permits or charging special
recreation permit fees in connection with the issuance
of permits under paragraph (1) with respect to
outfitters and guides, within a reasonable time after
the date of enactment of the Recreation Not Red-Tape
Act, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management and
the Chief of the Forest Service shall, in consultation
with the public, including stakeholder groups that
represent the interests of organizations that
facilitate outdoor access--
``(i) review permit application forms and
revise if needed to improve efficiency and
ensure the paperwork is concise and
understandable to the general public;
``(ii) review the process for the issuance
and renewal of outfitter and guide special
recreation permits and use existing authorities
to streamline permit processes if applicable;
``(iii) coordinate between agencies to
develop consistent submission deadlines for
activities that cross jurisdictional
boundaries;
``(iv) shorten application processing times
and minimize application and administration
costs; and
``(v) create outreach materials and make
the materials available online and in print to
help outfitters and guides navigate the
permitting process.
``(C) Permits for cross-jurisdictional trips.--
``(i) In general.--In the case of an
activity or trip requiring a permit issued
under the subsection for use of land managed by
the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management that will cross jurisdictional
boundaries, the Secretaries shall issue a joint
permit based on a single application to both
agencies if the issuance of a joint permit
based on a single application will lower the
processing and other administrative costs for
the permittee, unless the permit applicant opts
to apply for separate permits rather than a
joint permit.
``(ii) Permit application.--The permit
application required under clause (i) shall
be--
``(I) the application required by
the lead agency; and
``(II) submitted to the lead
agency.
``(iii) Requirements of lead agency.--The
lead agency for a permit issued under clause
(i) shall--
``(I) coordinate, consistent with
the authority of the Secretaries under
section 330 of the Department of the
Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2001 (43 U.S.C.
1703), to develop, in consultation with
the public (including stakeholder
groups that represent the interests of
organizations that facilitate outdoor
access), a process for issuing 1 joint
permit that covers the entirety of the
trip;
``(II) in processing the joint
permit application, consider the
findings, requirements, interests, and
needs of the lead agency and any
associated agencies; and
``(III) coordinate with the
associated agencies to develop a method
for cost sharing.
``(D) Reasonable timeframe.--The Secretaries shall
complete the permitting process under this paragraph
within a reasonable timeframe.
``(E) Online availability.--To the maximum extent
practicable, where feasible and efficient, the
Secretaries shall make available--
``(i) all special recreation permit
applications, to be filled out and submitted
online; and
``(ii) online information regarding--
``(I) the application process; and
``(II) the means by which an
applicant can contact the Secretaries
for guidance on the permit process
before submitting a permit
application.''.
SEC. 102. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE RECREATION PASSES.
(a) In General.--The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act is
amended by inserting after section 805 (16 U.S.C. 6804) the following:
``SEC. 805A. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE RECREATION PASSES.
``(a) Establishment of Program.--
``(1) In general.--To improve the procurement 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 in a way
that allows a purchaser to buy a Federal recreation pass and a
State recreation pass at Federal and State facilities in the
same transaction.
``(2) Included passes.--Passes covered by the program
established under paragraph (1) include--
``(A) a National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass under section 805; and
``(B) a pass that shall cover any fees charged by
participating States and localities for entrance and
recreational use of parks and public land in the
participating States.
``(b) Agreements With States.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretaries, after consultation with
the States, may enter into agreements with States to coordinate
the availability of passes as described in subsection (a)(1).
``(2) Revenue from pass sales.--The agreements between the
Secretaries and the States shall ensure that--
``(A) funds from the sale of State passes are
transferred to the appropriate State agency;
``(B) funds from the sale of Federal passes are
transferred to the appropriate Federal agency; and
``(C) fund transfers are completed by the end of a
fiscal year for all pass sales occurring during the
fiscal year.
``(3) Notice.--In entering into an agreement under
paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall publish in the Federal
Register a notice describing the agreement.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 805(a)(9) of the Federal Lands
Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(9)) is amended by
inserting ``and section 805A'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 103. ONLINE PURCHASES OF NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATIONAL
LANDS PASS.
(a) In General.--Section 805(a)(6) of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(6)) is amended by striking
subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--The Secretaries shall sell the
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass--
``(i) at all Federal recreational lands and
waters at which an entrance fee or a standard
amenity recreation fee is charged;
``(ii) at such other locations as the
Secretaries consider appropriate and feasible;
and
``(iii) through the website of each of the
Federal land management agencies and the
websites of the relevant units and subunits of
those agencies, with--
``(I) a prominent link on each
website; and
``(II) information about where and
when passes are needed.''.
(b) Entrance Pass and Amenity Fees.--The Secretaries shall make
available for purchase or payment online, if appropriate and feasible,
for each unit where passes and fees are required--
(1) all entrance fees under section 803(e) of the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(e));
(2) all standard amenity recreation fees under section
803(f) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(f)); and
(3) all expanded amenity recreation fees under section
803(g) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(g)).
TITLE II--ACCESSING THE OUTDOORS
SEC. 201. ACCESS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS.
(a) In General.--The Secretaries are encouraged to work with the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on ways to
ensure servicemembers and veterans have access to outdoor recreation
and to outdoor-related volunteer and wellness programs as a part of the
basic services provided to servicemembers and veterans.
(b) Inclusion of Information.--Each branch of the Armed Forces is
encouraged to include information regarding outdoor recreation and
outdoors-based careers in the materials and counseling services focused
on resilience and career readiness provided in transition programs,
including--
(1) the benefits of outdoor recreation for physical and
mental health;
(2) resources to access guided outdoor trips and other
outdoor programs connected to the local office of the
Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(3) information regarding programs and jobs focused on
continuing national service such as the Public Land Corps of
the National Park Service, AmeriCorps, or a conservation corps
program.
(c) Outdoor Recreation Program Attendance.--Each branch of the
Armed Forces is encouraged to permit members of the Armed Forces on
active duty status, at the discretion of the commander of the member,
to use not more than 7 days of a permissive temporary duty assignment
or terminal leave allotted to the member to participate in a program
related to environmental stewardship or guided outdoor recreation
following deployment.
(d) Veteran Hiring.--The Secretaries are strongly encouraged to
hire veterans in all positions related to the management of Federal
land.
TITLE III--MAKING RECREATION A PRIORITY
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF SEASONAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.
(a) In General.--The relevant unit managers of land managed by the
Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park
Service, through the respective land management planning processes of
those agencies, may--
(1) identify areas of Federal recreational land and water
in which recreation use is highly seasonal;
(2) where appropriate, develop a management plan for
extending the recreation season or increasing recreation use in
a sustainable manner during the offseason; and
(3) make information about extended season schedules and
related recreational opportunities available to the public and
local communities.
(b) Inclusions.--The management plan developed under subsection
(a)(2) may include--
(1) the addition of facilities that would increase
recreation use during the offseason; and
(2) improvement of access to the area to extend the season.
(c) Requirement.--The management plan developed under subsection
(a)(2) shall be compatible with all applicable Federal laws,
regulations, and policies, including land use plans.
SEC. 302. RECREATION PERFORMANCE METRICS.
(a) In General.--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 goals as described in applicable land
management plans.
(b) Metrics.--
(1) In general.--The metrics used to evaluate recreation
and tourism outcomes shall ensure--
(A) the advancement of recreation and tourism
goals; and
(B) the ability of the land manager to enhance the
outdoor experience of the visitor.
(2) Inclusions.--The metrics referred to paragraph (1) may
include, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) the quality of visitor experience;
(B) the number of first-time visitors;
(C) the number of repeat visitors;
(D) the number of school and youth groups that
visited;
(E) the number of available recreational
opportunities;
(F) the number of recreational and environmental
educational programs offered and the success of those
programs;
(G) visitor satisfaction; and
(H) the maintenance and expansion of existing
recreation infrastructure.
SEC. 303. RECREATION MISSION.
(a) Definition of Federal Agency.--In this section, the term
``Federal agency'' means each of--
(1) the Corps of Engineers;
(2) the Bureau of Reclamation;
(3) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and
(4) the Department of Transportation.
(b) Mission.--With respect to the mission of the Federal agency,
each Federal agency shall consider how land and water management
decisions can enhance recreation opportunities and the recreation
economy.
SEC. 304. SKI AREA FEE RETENTION.
(a) In General.--Section 701 of division I of the Omnibus Parks and
Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 497c) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(k) Ski Area Fee Retention Account.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Account.--The term `Account' means the Ski
Area Fee Retention Account established under paragraph
(2).
``(B) Covered unit.--The term `covered unit' means
an administrative unit of the National Forest System
subject to a rental charge under this section.
``(C) Rental charge.--The term `rental charge'
means a permit rental charge that is charged under
subsection (a).
``(D) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the
Secretary of Agriculture.
``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
establish in the Treasury a special account, to be known as the
`Ski Area Fee Retention Account', into which there shall be
deposited--
``(A) in the case of a covered unit at which not
less than $15,000,000 is collected by the covered unit
from rental charges in a fiscal year, an amount equal
to 50 percent of the rental charges collected at the
covered unit in the fiscal year; or
``(B) in the case of any other covered unit, an
amount equal to 65 percent of the rental charges
collected at the covered unit in a fiscal year.
``(3) Availability.--Subject to paragraphs (4), (5), and
(6), any amounts deposited in the Account under paragraph (2)
shall remain available for expenditure, without further
appropriation, until expended.
``(4) Local distribution of amounts in the account.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), 100 percent of the amounts deposited
in the Account from a specific covered unit shall
remain available for expenditure at the covered unit at
which the rental charges were collected.
``(B) Reduction.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
the Secretary may reduce the percentage of
amounts available to a covered unit under
subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines
that the rental charges collected at the
covered unit exceed the reasonable needs of the
covered unit for that fiscal year for
authorized expenditures described in paragraph
(5)(A).
``(ii) Limitation.--The Secretary may not
reduce the percentage of amounts available
under clause (i)--
``(I) in the case of a covered unit
described in paragraph (2)(A), to less
than 35 percent of the amount of rental
charges deposited in the Account from
the covered unit in a fiscal year; or
``(II) in the case of any other
covered unit, to less than 50 percent
of the amount of rental charges
deposited in the Account from the
covered unit in a fiscal year.
``(C) Transfer to other covered units.--
``(i) Distribution.--If the Secretary
determines that the percentage of amounts
otherwise available to a covered unit under
subparagraph (A) should be reduced under
subparagraph (B), the Secretary may transfer to
other covered units, for allocation in
accordance with clause (ii), the percentage of
the amounts withheld from the covered unit
under subparagraph (B), to be expended by the
other covered units in accordance with
paragraph (5).
``(ii) Criteria.--In determining the
allocation of amounts to be transferred under
clause (i) among other covered units, the
Secretary shall consider--
``(I) the number of proposals for
ski area improvements in the other
covered units;
``(II) any backlog in ski area
permit administration or the processing
of ski area proposals in the other
covered units; and
``(III) any need for services,
training, or staffing in the other
covered units that would improve the
administration of the Forest Service
Ski Area Program.
``(5) Authorized expenditures.--
``(A) In general.--Amounts distributed from the
Account to a covered unit under this subsection may be
used for--
``(i) ski area special use permit
administration and processing of proposals for
ski area improvement projects in the covered
unit, including--
``(I) upgrades to, or the
replacement or installation of,
passenger ropeways, including tramways,
funiculars, chair lifts, conveyors, and
tows;
``(II) snowmaking improvements and
new or upgraded water facilities;
``(III) projects relating to
buildings, structures, or other
facilities owned by the ski area on
National Forest System land;
``(IV) trail, service road, or
terrain change projects;
``(V) additional seasonal or year-
round recreational activities and
associated facilities and trails in the
covered unit, including activities
carried out under section 3(c) of the
National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of
1986 (16 U.S.C. 497b(c));
``(VI) ski area employee housing
constructed on the permit area or on
nearby National Forest System land;
``(VII) land exchanges relating to
the ski area, in accordance with
Federal laws (including regulations);
and
``(VIII) any other improvements or
facilities to enhance or increase ski
area recreational opportunities;
``(ii) training programs on processing ski
area applications and administering ski area
permits; and
``(iii) interpretation activities, visitor
information, visitor services, and signage in
the covered unit to enhance--
``(I) the ski area visitor
experience on National Forest System
land; and
``(II) avalanche information and
education activities carried out by the
Forest Service.
``(B) Limitation.--Amounts in the Account may not
be used for--
``(i) the conduct of wildfire suppression
or preparedness activities;
``(ii) the conduct of biological monitoring
on National Forest System land under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.) for listed species or candidate
species, except as required by law for
environmental review of ski area projects;
``(iii) the acquisition of land for
inclusion in the National Forest System; or
``(iv) Forest Service administrative sites.
``(6) Savings provisions.--
``(A) In general.--Nothing in this subsection
affects the applicability of section 7 of the Act of
April 24, 1950 (commonly known as the `Granger-Thye
Act') (16 U.S.C. 580d), to ski areas on National Forest
System land.
``(B) Revenue allocation payments.--Rental charges
deposited in the Account under paragraph (2) shall be
considered to be amounts received from the National
Forest System for purposes of calculating amounts to be
paid under--
``(i) the Secure Rural Schools and
Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (16
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.);
``(ii) the sixth paragraph under the
heading `forest service' in the Act of May 23,
1908 (35 Stat. 260; 16 U.S.C. 500), and section
13 of the Act of March 1, 1911 (36 Stat. 963;
16 U.S.C. 500); and
``(iii) chapter 69 of title 31, United
States Code.
``(C) Supplemental funding.--Rental charges
retained and expended under this subsection shall
supplement (and not supplant) appropriated funding for
the operation and maintenance of each covered unit.''.
(b) Effective Date.--This section (including the amendments made by
this section) shall take effect on the date that is 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Implementation.--The Secretary shall not be required to issue
regulations or policy guidance to implement this section (including the
amendments made by this section).
SEC. 305. NATIONAL RECREATION AREA SYSTEM.
(a) Declaration of Policy; Effect of Section.--
(1) Declaration of policy.--It is the policy of the United
States that--
(A) certain natural landscapes possess remarkable
recreational values and should be managed for
sustainable outdoor recreational and other benefits for
the people of the United States;
(B) the remarkable recreational values described in
subparagraph (A) may include--
(i) areas offering existing or prospective
recreation opportunities;
(ii) areas that play, or have the potential
to play, a role in addressing high or unmet
demand for recreational opportunities;
(iii) areas that play an important role in
supporting the outdoor recreation economy;
(iv) areas with unique ecological,
geological, hydrological, scenic, cultural, or
historic features or attributes that
accommodate a variety of outdoor recreation
activities; and
(v) areas with high fish and wildlife
values;
(C) in addition to other uses of Federal land,
certain landscapes should be protected and managed
primarily for the recreational, social, and health
benefits people receive from the landscapes through
outdoor recreation, for the specific and meaningful
experiences made possible by unique and varied
landscapes, and for the contributions those landscapes
make in support of the outdoor recreation economy; and
(D) in addition to land identified as National
Recreation Areas, the Secretaries should continue to
promote recreation on other Federal land in accordance
with applicable land management plans.
(2) Effect of section.--Nothing in this section diminishes
the importance of prioritizing recreation on Federal land
located outside of a National Recreation Area.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Natural feature.--The term ``natural feature'' means a
healthy ecological, geological, hydrological, scenic, cultural,
or historic feature or attribute of a specific area.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
(A) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through
the Director of the Bureau of Land Management with
respect to land administered by the Bureau of Land
Management; and
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through
the Chief of the Forest Service, with respect to
National Forest System land.
(3) System.--The term ``System'' means the National
Recreation Area System established by subsection (c).
(4) System unit.--The term ``System unit'' means a System
unit designated pursuant to subsection (c).
(c) Composition.--There is established a National Recreation Area
System, to be comprised of--
(1) existing National Recreation Areas described in
subsection (g); and
(2) new System units designated by Congress on or after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Administration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage each System
unit in a manner that maximizes the protection and enhancement
of the remarkable recreational values of the System unit
(including natural features that support the recreation
experiences) consistent with subsection (a)(1)(C), and provides
for enjoyment by current and future generations.
(2) State, tribal, and local involvement.--The Secretary
shall consult and work, to the maximum extent practicable, with
States, political subdivisions of States, affected Indian
tribes, adjacent landowners, and the public in the planning and
administration of System units.
(3) Fish and wildlife.--
(A) In general.--Nothing in this section affects
the jurisdiction or responsibilities of a State with
respect to fish and wildlife in a System unit in the
State.
(B) Administration.--Hunting, fishing, and
motorized recreation (including boating) may be allowed
on System units if permitted under applicable Federal
and State laws (including regulations) and conducted in
accordance with the applicable land management plans.
(4) Water rights.--Nothing in this section affects any
valid or vested water right in existence on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(e) Components of National Recreation Area System.--
(1) Map; legal description.--
(A) In general.--For System units established on or
after the date of enactment of this Act, as soon as
practicable after the date of designation of a System
unit, the Secretary shall prepare a map and legal
description of the System unit.
(B) Force of law.--The map and legal description
filed under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force
and effect as if included in this section, except that
the Secretary may correct typographical errors in the
map and legal description.
(C) Public availability.--The map and legal
description filed under subparagraph (A) shall be on
file and available for public inspection in the
appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management
and the Forest Service.
(2) Comprehensive management plan.--
(A) In general.--The Secretaries shall prepare a
comprehensive management plan for each System unit
within the jurisdiction of the Secretaries that is
designated by Congress after the date of enactment of
this Act--
(i) to maximize the protection and
enjoyment of the remarkable recreational values
of the System unit; and
(ii) to protect the natural features of the
System unit that support recreation.
(B) Timing.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), a comprehensive management plan
described in subparagraph (A) shall be
completed by not later than 3 years after the
date of designation of the System unit, subject
to the availability of funds and resources.
(ii) Inadequate funds and resources.--If
funds and resources are not available in
accordance with clause (i), the applicable
agency may complete the plan as part of the
regular management plan revisions of the
agency.
(C) Review.--A comprehensive management plan
described in subparagraph (A) shall be regularly
reviewed and updated as part of the regular land
management planning process of the applicable agency.
(D) Management by secretary.--The Secretary shall
manage each National Recreation Area in accordance with
the management plan for the National Recreation Area in
effect at the time of the designation, to the extent
the plan is consistent with this Act and the Act
designating the National Recreation Area, until the
plan is revised or superseded by a new comprehensive
management plan issued in accordance with this
subsection.
(E) Requirements.--A comprehensive management plan
prepared under subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) identify the existing, and to the
extent practicable, prospective remarkable
recreational and other important values of the
System unit;
(ii) ensure the System unit is managed to
protect and enhance purposes for which the
System unit was established;
(iii) ensure the System unit is managed to
protect and enhance the resources that make the
area suitable for designation under subsection
(c)(2) in accordance with subsection (a);
(iv) be coordinated with resource
management planning for affected adjacent
Federal land;
(v) be prepared--
(I) in accordance with the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or section 14
of the National Forest Management Act
of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a), as
applicable; and
(II) in consultation with States,
political subdivisions of States,
affected Indian tribes, adjacent
landowners, and the public; and
(vi) designate a sustainable road and trail
network, consistent with subsection (a) and the
purposes for which the System was established.
(F) Notice.--The Secretary shall publish in the
Federal Register notice of the completion and
availability of a plan prepared under this paragraph.
(f) Potential Additions to National Recreation Area System.--
(1) Eligible area.--An area eligible for inclusion in the
System is an area that possesses one or more of the remarkable
recreational values described in subsection (a)(1)(B).
(2) Potential additions.--In carrying out the land
management planning process, the Secretary shall--
(A) identify eligible areas that possess remarkable
recreational values described in subsection (a)(1)(B);
(B) develop and maintain a list of eligible areas
as potential additions to the System;
(C) ensure that relevant land management plans
support the recreational values of areas identified as
potential additions to the System; and
(D) consider input from the Governor of, political
subdivisions of, and affected Indian tribes located in,
the State in which the eligible areas are located.
(g) Existing National Recreation Areas.--Each National Recreation
Area that is under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service or the Bureau
of Land Management and that was established before the date of
enactment of this Act shall be--
(1) deemed to be a unit of the System; and
(2) notwithstanding subsection (d)--
(A) administered under the law pertaining to the
applicable System unit; and
(B) managed in accordance with the purposes set
forth in the original designation of the National
Recreation Area.
(h) Standard Fees.--In accordance with sections 803 through 808 of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (16 U.S.C. 6802-6807), the
Secretary may establish a standard amenity fee at each National
Recreation Area designated after the date of enactment of this Act that
is managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service, if--
(1) the purpose of the fee is to enhance visitor services
and stewardship of the recreation area; and
(2) the establishment of a fee is not prohibited by other
Federal law.
(i) Compliance With Existing Laws.--Nothing in this section
modifies any obligation--
(1) of the Secretary to prepare or implement a land use
plan in accordance with section 202 of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) or section 6 of the
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974
(16 U.S.C. 1604);
(2) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.);
(3) under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); or
(4) under any other applicable law.
(j) Applicability of Other Land Management Designations.--Nothing
in this section affects--
(1) any other land or water management designation under
any other provision of law; or
(2) any obligation to comply with a requirement applicable
to such a designation.
(k) Native American Treaty Rights.--Nothing in this section alters,
modifies, enlarges, diminishes, or abrogates the treaty rights of any
Indian tribe, including any off-reservation reserved rights.
TITLE IV--MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC LAND
Subtitle A--Volunteers
SEC. 401. PRIVATE-SECTOR VOLUNTEER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Purpose.--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 land managed by the Federal land management agencies.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means any
land--
(A) owned by the United States; and
(B) managed by the head of a Federal land
management agency.
(2) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned''
means--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through
the Chief of the Forest Service), with respect to
National Forest System land; and
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to
land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
(3) Volunteer.--The term ``volunteer'' means any individual
who performs volunteer services under this section.
(c) Establishment.--The Secretary concerned shall develop an
initiative to further enhance private-sector volunteer programs and to
actively promote private-sector volunteer opportunities and provide
outreach and coordination to the private sector.
(d) Cooperative Agreements for Stewardship of Federal Land.--
(1) Authority to enter into agreements.--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.
(2) Project and program instructions.--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--
(A) the physical boundaries of the project or
program;
(B) the equipment the volunteers are authorized to
use to complete the project or program;
(C) the training the volunteers are required to
complete, including agency consideration and
incorporation of trainings offered by qualified
nongovernmental organizations and volunteer partner
organizations;
(D) the actions the volunteers are authorized to
take to complete the project or program; and
(E) any other information that the Secretary
concerned determines necessary for the volunteer group
to complete the project or program.
(3) Authorized projects and programs.--Subject to paragraph
(4), the Secretary concerned may use a cooperative agreement to
carry out projects and programs for Federal land that--
(A) promote the stewardship of resources of Federal
land by volunteers;
(B) support maintaining the resources, trails, and
facilities on Federal land in a sustainable manner;
(C) increase awareness, understanding, and
stewardship of Federal land through the development,
publication, or distribution of educational materials
and products; and
(D) advance education concerning the Federal land
and the missions of the Federal land management
agencies through the use of the Federal land as outdoor
classrooms and development of other educational
programs.
(4) Conditions on use of authority.--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--
(A) complies with all Federal laws (including
regulations) and policies;
(B) is consistent with an applicable management
plan for any Federal land and waters involved;
(C) 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
(D) satisfies such other terms and conditions as
the Secretary concerned determines to be appropriate.
Subtitle B--Priority Trail Maintenance
SEC. 411. INTERAGENCY TRAIL MANAGEMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretaries shall establish an interagency
trail management plan under which Federal land management agencies
shall coordinate so that trails that cross jurisdictional boundaries
between the Federal land management agencies are managed and maintained
in a uniform manner.
(b) Requirement.--The plan established under subsection (a) shall
ensure compliance with all Federal environmental laws applicable to
each jurisdiction.
<all>
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-1063, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-1063, Part I.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
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House Committee on Transportation Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 28, 2018.
House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 28, 2018.
Committee on Transportation discharged.
Committee on Transportation discharged.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 864.