The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Association (ORR) supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to reform rather than repeal the U.S. Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule, while calling for additional safeguards and details in the proposed Access Rule.
ORR issued its statement in response to USDA’s Notice of Intent for an Access Rule that would initiate an environmental impact statement and rulemaking process to revise Forest Service travel management regulations.
The proposed action would establish a uniform national policy favoring increased access while simplifying regulatory requirements and preserving local decision-making.
ORR, which represents the $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy and 5.2 million American jobs, said retaining the Travel Management Rule while pursuing reforms addresses concerns within the outdoor recreation business community about a full repeal.
“We appreciate USDA’s decision to pursue reform of the USFS Travel Management Rule rather than a full repeal,” ORR said. “This is a win for the outdoor recreation business community who is against full repeal of the rule that has governed trail use for decades.”
The next stages of the rulemaking process will be important to the recreation economy and rural communities affected by public-land access.
“What comes next will be critical for the recreation economy and the rural communities that depend on it, so it’s important that the full spectrum of outdoor recreation industry perspectives are taken into account for the final rule,” ORR said.
ORR also expressed support for the reform strategy while seeking additional provisions to ensure the proposed changes benefit different forms of outdoor recreation.
“While we are supportive of the reform rather than repeal strategy in the Notice of Intent, the proposed Access Rule needs additional guardrails and details to ensure all forms of recreation can benefit from increased access and reduced regulatory burden,” the announcement said in a News and Insights report of RVIA.
The group also linked expanded access with continued stewardship of public lands and waters.
“Getting this rule right means caring for our public lands and waters responsibly, so they remain healthy for generations to come and ensuring all recreation activities have great access today and into the future,” ORR said.
