16 U.S.C. § 8484: Accessible trails

Summary

Within 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Secretary of the Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife Service must pick places to develop at least 3 new accessible trails in every one of their regions. The trails can be new, changed from existing trails, or a mix of new and old. The agency must talk with stakeholders, follow the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 794 of title 29, and, where practical, make trail features like bridges, parking, and restrooms meet those same standards. Each trail must be finished within 7 years after January 4, 2025. For each trail, the agency must publish maps and install signs that meet Architectural Barriers Act guidelines and section 794d of title 29, and work with stakeholders to find non‑Federal help for building and promoting the trail. When planning, the agency must avoid clashes with uses already in place before January 4, 2025 (including biking, hiking, horseback riding, off‑highway vehicles, and pack and saddle stock), respect trails under the National Trails System, and follow applicable land use plans. An interim report listing trails must be published within 3 years after January 4, 2025, and a final report within 7 years after that date.

Title 16, §8484

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(a)In general

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)Development

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)Completion

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)Maps, signage, and promotional materials

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)Conflict avoidance with other uses

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)Reports

(1)Interim report

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)Final report

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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Citations & Metadata