16 USC 8484 - Accessible trails

Collapse to view only § 8484. Accessible trails

§ 8481. Accessible recreation inventory
§ 8482. Trail inventory
§ 8483. Trail pilot program
§ 8484. Accessible trails
§ 8485. Accessible recreation opportunities
§ 8486. Assistive technology
§ 8487. Savings clause

§ 8481. Accessible recreation inventory

(a) AssessmentNot later than 5 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned shall—

(1) carry out a comprehensive assessment of outdoor recreation facilities on Federal recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the respective Secretary concerned to determine the accessibility of such outdoor recreation facilities, consistent with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 794 of title 29, including—

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

(B) boat launch ramps;

(D) outdoor constructed features;

(E) picnic facilities and picnic units; and

(F) any other outdoor recreation facilities, as determined by the Secretary concerned; and

(2) make information about such opportunities available (including through the use of prominently displayed links) on public websites of—

(A) each of the Federal land management agencies; and

(B) each relevant unit and subunit of the Federal land management agencies.

(b) Inclusion of current assessments

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 211, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2881.)

§ 8482. Trail inventory

(a) AssessmentNot later than 7 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned shall—

(1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of high-priority trails, in accordance with subsection (b), on Federal recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the respective Secretary concerned, including measuring each trail’s—

(A) average and minimum tread width;

(B) average and maximum running slope;

(D) tread type; and

(E) length; and

(2) make information about such high-priority trails available (including through the use of prominently displayed links) on public websites of—

(A) each of the Federal land management agencies; and

(B) each relevant unit and subunit of the Federal land management agencies.

(b) SelectionThe Secretary concerned shall select high-priority trails to be assessed under subsection (a)(1)—

(1) in consultation with stakeholders, including veterans organizations and organizations with expertise or experience providing outdoor recreation opportunities to individuals with disabilities;

(2) in a geographically equitable manner; and

(3) in no fewer than 15 units or subunits managed by the Secretary concerned.

(d) Public information

(1) In general

(2) Tread obstacles

(e) Assistive technology specification

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 212, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2881.)

§ 8483. Trail pilot program

(a) In generalNot later than 2 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretary concerned shall carry out a pilot program to enter into partnerships with eligible entities to—

(1) measure high-priority trails as part of the assessment required under section 8482 of this title;

(2) develop accessible trails under section 8484 of this title; and

(3) make minor modifications to existing trails to enhance recreational experiences for individuals with disabilities using assistive technology—

(A) in compliance with all applicable land use and management plans of the Federal recreational lands and waters on which the accessible trail is located; and

(B) in consultation with stakeholders, including veterans organizations and organizations with expertise or experience providing outdoor recreation opportunities to individuals with disabilities.

(b) Locations

(1) In general

(2) Special rule of construction for the Department of the InteriorIn selecting the locations of the pilot program, the Secretary shall ensure that the pilot program is carried out in at least one unit managed by the—

(A) National Park Service;

(B) Bureau of Land Management; and

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 213, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2882.)

§ 8484. Accessible trails

(a) In generalNot 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) DevelopmentIn 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

(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.

(d) Maps, signage, and promotional materialsFor 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 usesIn 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

(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

(2) Final report

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 214, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2883.)

§ 8485. Accessible recreation opportunities

(a) In generalNot 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) DevelopmentIn 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 opportunitiesThe 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

(e) Maps, signage, and promotional materialsFor 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 usesIn 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

(2) Final report

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 215, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2884.)

§ 8486. Assistive technology

In carrying out this part, the Secretary concerned may enter into partnerships, contracts, or agreements with other Federal, State, Tribal, local, or private entities, including existing outfitting and guiding services, to make assistive technology available on Federal recreational lands and waters.

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 216, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2886.)

§ 8487. Savings clause

Nothing in the 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “this”.

part shall be construed to create any conflicting standards with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 794 of title 29.

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 217, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2886.)