16 U.S.C. § 8485: Accessible recreation…

Summary

Within 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Secretary in charge must pick places to build at least two new accessible recreation opportunities in every region for each of these agencies: the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Secretary can make new sites or change existing ones. They must talk with stakeholders about what is possible and what resources are needed, follow the Architectural Barriers Act and section 794 of title 29 for accessibility, and, where practical, make outdoor features like trail bridges, parking, and restrooms meet those rules. For each site they must publish maps, put up accessible signage, work with partners to find non‑Federal support, and try to avoid creating conflicts with uses or multiple‑use areas that were in place on January 4, 2025, while following the agency land‑use plans. Accessible improvements may cover many activities, such as camping; hunting, fishing, or shooting; snow and water sports; climbing; biking; off‑highway vehicle use; picnic areas; and other activities agreed on with stakeholders and consistent with the land plan. Each accessible recreation opportunity must be finished within 7 years after January 4, 2025. The Secretary must publish an interim report listing projects done within 3 years after January 4, 2025, and a final report listing projects completed within 7 years after January 4, 2025.

Title 16, §8485

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned shall select a location to develop at least 2 new accessible recreation opportunities—

(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 recreation opportunity under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned—

(1)may—

(A)create a new accessible recreation opportunity; or

(B)modify an existing recreation opportunity into an accessible recreation opportunity; and

(2)shall—

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

(B)ensure the accessible recreation opportunity 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 recreation opportunity, including trail bridges, parking spaces and restroom facilities, meet the requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and section 794 of title 29.

(c)Accessible recreation opportunities

The accessible recreation opportunities developed under subsection (a) may include improving accessibility or access to—

(1)camp shelters, camping facilities, and camping units;

(2)hunting, fishing, shooting, or archery ranges or locations;

(3)snow activities, including skiing and snowboarding;

(4)water activities, including kayaking, paddling, canoeing, and boat launch ramps;

(5)rock climbing;

(6)biking;

(7)off-highway vehicle recreation;

(8)picnic facilities and picnic units;

(9)outdoor constructed features; and

(10)any other new or existing recreation opportunities identified in consultation with stakeholders under subsection (b)(2) and consistent with the applicable land management plan.

(d)Completion

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

(e)Maps, signage, and promotional materials

For each accessible recreation opportunity developed under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall—

(1)publish and distribute maps and install signage, consistent with Architectural Barriers Act 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.

(f)Conflict avoidance with other uses

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

(1)minimizes conflict with—

(A)the uses in effect before January 4, 2025, with respect to any Federal recreational lands and waters on which the accessible recreation opportunity is located; or

(B)multiple-use areas in existence on January 4, 2025; and

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

(g)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 recreation opportunities 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 recreation opportunities 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

Short Title

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. (e)(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.

§8485 Accessible Recreation Opportunities