§8421 — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretaries must, within 18 months after January 4, 2025, pick at least 10 long-distance bike trails that use trails or roads already in place on that date and at least 10 places where a new qualifying trail could be made. They must set up a way for the public to comment and try to spread choices across different regions fairly. For trails they name, the Secretaries can make maps, put up signs, share promotional material, and work with partners to get non-Federal help. They must publish a report listing the chosen trails and summarizing public comments within 2 years after January 4, 2025. Before naming a trail, they must avoid harming existing uses of the trails or roads as of January 4, 2025, protect shared-use areas (biking, hiking, horseback, pack stock), respect trails created under the National Trails System Act and areas under the Wilderness Act, and follow land-use plans for any Federal lands or waters on the route. They cannot use eminent domain or condemnation. Definitions: "Long-distance bike trail" = a continuous route at least 80 miles long, mainly on dirt or natural surface, may include paved connections, avoids Federal lands where mountain biking is not allowed, and uses Federal trails/roads that existed on or before January 4, 2025. "Secretaries" = the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture acting together.

Title 16, §8421

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Not later than 18 months after January 4, 2025, the Secretaries shall identify—

(1)not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make use of trails and roads in existence on January 4, 2025; and

(2)not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would qualify as a long-distance bike trail.

(b)The Secretaries shall—

(1)develop a process to allow members of the public to comment regarding the identification of trails and areas under subsection (a); and

(2)consider the identification, development, and completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographically equitable manner.

(c)For any long-distance bike trail identified under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may—

(1)publish and distribute maps, install signage, and issue promotional materials; and

(2)coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-Federal resources necessary for the stewardship, development, or completion of trails.

(d)Not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretaries, in partnership with interested organizations, shall prepare and publish a report that lists the trails identified under subsection (a), including a summary of public comments received in accordance with the process developed under subsection (b).

(e)Before identifying a long-distance bike trail under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall ensure the long-distance bike trail—

(1)minimizes conflict with—

(A)the uses, before January 4, 2025, of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance bike trail;

(B)multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses on January 4, 2025;

(C)the purposes for which any trail was or is established under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.); and

(D)any area managed under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and

(2)complies with land use and management plans of the Federal recreational lands and waters that are part of that long-distance bike trail.

(f)In carrying out this section, the Secretaries may not use eminent domain or condemnation.

(g)In this section:

(1)The term “long-distance bike trail” means a continuous route, consisting of 1 or more trails or rights-of-way, that—

(A)is not less than 80 miles in length;

(B)primarily makes use of dirt or natural surface trails;

(C)may require connections along paved or other improved roads;

(D)does not include Federal recreational lands where mountain biking or related activities are not consistent with management requirements for those Federal recreational lands; and

(E)to the maximum extent practicable, makes use of trails and roads that were on Federal recreational lands on or before January 4, 2025.

(2)The term “Secretaries” means the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting jointly.

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The National Trails System Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(C), is Pub. L. 90–543, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 919, which is classified generally to chapter 27 (§ 1241 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

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note set out under section 1241 of this title and Tables. The Wilderness Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(D), is Pub. L. 88–577, Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 890, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§ 1131 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

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note set out under section 1131 of this title and Tables.

§8421 Biking on long-distance trails

Summary

Title 16, §8421

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