§8484 — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

Within 1 year after January 4, 2025, the head of each agency (Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) must pick places to build at least three new accessible trails in every region they manage. The trails can be brand new, changes to existing trails, or a mix. The agency must talk with stakeholders about what is possible and what resources are needed. Each trail must follow the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 794 of title 29, and where practical features like bridges, parking, and restrooms must also meet those rules. Each trail must be finished no later than 7 years after January 4, 2025. Agencies must publish maps, put up signs that meet accessibility rules (including section 794d of title 29), and work with partners to get non‑Federal help. When planning the trails, agencies must avoid changing uses that were already happening on January 4, 2025. That includes uses on any trail that will become part of an accessible trail, existing multiple‑use areas where biking, hiking, horseback riding, off‑highway vehicle recreation, or pack and saddle stock were happening, and the purposes of trails under the National Trails System Act. Trails must also follow any applicable land use and management plans. An interim report listing trails built in the first 3 years is due within 3 years after January 4, 2025, and a final report listing all trails is due within 7 years after January 4, 2025.

Title 16, §8484

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned shall select a location or locations to develop at least 3 new accessible trails—

(1)on National Forest System lands in each region of the Forest Service;

(2)on land managed by the National Park Service in each region of the National Park Service;

(3)on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in each region of the Bureau of Land Management; and

(4)on land managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in each region of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

(b)In developing an accessible trail under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned—

(1)may—

(A)create a new accessible trail;

(B)modify an existing trail into an accessible trail; or

(C)create an accessible trail from a combination of new and existing trails; and

(2)shall—

(A)consult with stakeholders with respect to the feasibility and resources necessary for completing the accessible trail;

(B)ensure the accessible trail complies with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 794 of title 29; and

(C)to the extent practicable, ensure that outdoor constructed features supporting the accessible trail, including trail bridges, parking spaces, and restroom facilities, meet the requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 794 of title 29.

(c)Not later than 7 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned, in coordination with stakeholders described under subsection (b)(2), shall complete each accessible trail developed under subsection (a).

(d)For each accessible trail developed under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall—

(1)publish and distribute maps and install signage, consistent with Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 accessibility guidelines and section 794d of title 29; and

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

(e)In developing each accessible trail under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall ensure that the accessible trail—

(1)minimizes conflict with—

(A)the uses in effect before January 4, 2025, with respect to any trail that is part of that accessible trail;

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

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

(2)complies with all applicable land use and management plans of the Federal recreational lands and waters on which the accessible trail is located.

(f)(1)Not later than 3 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned, in coordination with stakeholders and other interested organizations, shall prepare and publish an interim report that lists the accessible trails developed under this section during the previous 3 years.

(2)Not later than 7 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned, in coordination with stakeholders and other interested organizations, shall prepare and publish a final report that lists the accessible trails developed under this section.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C), is Pub. L. 90–480, Aug. 12, 1968, 82 Stat. 718, which is classified generally to chapter 51 (§ 4151 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

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note set out under section 4151 of Title 42 and Tables. Section 794 of title 29, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C), was in the original a reference to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and was translated as meaning section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–112, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Section 794d of title 29, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), was in the original a reference to section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and was translated as meaning section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–112, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. 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.

§8484 Accessible trails

Summary

Title 16, §8484

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

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