Collapse to view only § 6805. Cooperative agreements
- § 6801. Definitions
- § 6802. Recreation fee authority
- § 6803. Public participation
- § 6804. Recreation passes
- § 6804a. Availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes
- § 6805. Cooperative agreements
- § 6806. Special account and distribution of fees and revenues
- § 6807. Expenditures
- § 6808. Reports
- § 6809. Sunset provision
- § 6810. Volunteers
- § 6811. Enforcement and protection of receipts
- § 6812. Repeal of superseded admission and use fee authorities
- § 6813. Relation to other laws and fee collection authorities
- § 6814. Limitation on use of fees for employee bonuses
§ 6801. DefinitionsIn this chapter:
(1) Entrance fee
(2) Expanded amenity recreation fee
(3) Federal land management agency
(4) Federal recreational lands and waters
(5) National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
(6) Passholder
(7) Recreation fee
(8) Recreation pass
(9) Recreation service provider
(10) Secretaries
(11) SecretaryThe term “Secretary” means—
(A) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to a Federal land management agency (other than the Forest Service); and
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to the Forest Service.
(12) Special account
(13) Special recreation permit
(A) In generalThe term “special recreation permit” means a permit issued by a Federal land management agency for the use of Federal recreational lands and waters—
(i) for a specialized recreational use not described in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), such as—(I) an organizational camp;(II) a single event that does not require an entry or participation fee that is not strictly a sharing of expenses for the purposes of the event; and(III) participation by the public in a recreation activity or recreation use of a specific area of Federal recreational lands and waters in which use by the public is allocated;
(ii) for a large-group activity or event of 75 participants or more;
(iii) for—(I) at the discretion of the Secretary, a single organized group recreation activity or event (including an activity or event in which motorized recreational vehicles are used or in which outfitting and guiding services are used) that—(aa) is a structured or scheduled event or activity;(bb) is not competitive and is for fewer than 75 participants;(cc) may charge an entry or participation fee;(dd) involves fewer than 200 visitor-use days; and(ee) is undertaken or provided by the recreation service provider at the same site not more frequently than 3 times a year;(II) a single competitive event; or(III) at the discretion of the Secretary, a recurring organized group recreation activity (including an outfitting and guiding activity) that—(aa) is a structured or scheduled activity;(bb) is not competitive;(cc) may charge a participation fee;(dd) occurs in a group size of fewer than 7 participants;(ee) involves fewer than 40 visitor-use days; and(ff) is undertaken or provided by the recreation service provider for a term of not more than 180 days; or
(iv) for—(I) a recurring outfitting, guiding, or, at the discretion of the Secretary, other recreation service, the authorization for which is for a term of not more than 10 years; or(II) a recurring outfitting, guiding, or, at the discretion of the Secretary, other recreation service, that occurs under a temporary special recreation permit authorized under
(B) ExclusionsThe term “special recreation permit” does not include—
(i) a concession contract for the provision of accommodations, facilities, or services;
(ii) a commercial use authorization issued under section 101925 of title 54; or
(iii) any other type of permit, including a special use permit administered by the National Park Service.
(14) Special recreation permit fee
(15) Standard amenity recreation fee
(16) State
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 802, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3377; Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 311(a), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2891.)
§ 6802. Recreation fee authority
(a) Authority of Secretary
(b) Basis for recreation feesRecreation fees shall be established in a manner consistent with the following criteria:
(1) The amount of the recreation fee shall be commensurate with the benefits and services provided to the visitor.
(2) The Secretary shall consider the aggregate effect of recreation fees on recreation users and recreation service providers.
(3) The Secretary shall consider comparable fees charged elsewhere and by other public agencies and by nearby private sector operators.
(4) The Secretary shall consider the public policy or management objectives served by the recreation fee.
(5) The Secretary shall obtain input from the appropriate Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, as provided in section 6803(d) of this title.
(6) The Secretary shall consider such other factors or criteria as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(c) Special considerations
(d) Limitations on recreation fees
(1) Prohibition on fees for certain activities or servicesThe Secretary shall not charge any standard amenity recreation fee or expanded amenity recreation fee for Federal recreational lands and waters administered by the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, or the Bureau of Reclamation under this chapter for any of the following:
(A) Solely for parking, undesignated parking, or picnicking along roads or trailsides.
(B) For general access unless specifically authorized under this section.
(C) For dispersed areas with low or no investment unless specifically authorized under this section.
(D) For persons who are driving through, walking through, boating through, horseback riding through, or hiking through Federal recreational lands and waters without using the facilities and services.
(E) For camping at undeveloped sites that do not provide a minimum number of facilities and services as described in subsection (g)(2)(A).
(F) For use of overlooks or scenic pullouts.
(G) For travel by private, noncommercial vehicle over any national parkway or any road or highway established as a part of the Federal-aid System, as defined in section 101 of title 23,1
1 See References in Text note below.
which is commonly used by the public as a means of travel between two places either or both of which are outside any unit or area at which recreation fees are charged under this chapter.(H) For travel by private, noncommercial vehicle, boat, or aircraft over any road or highway, waterway, or airway to any land in which such person has any property right if such land is within any unit or area at which recreation fees are charged under this chapter.
(I) For any person who has a right of access for hunting or fishing privileges under a specific provision of law or treaty.
(J) For any person who is engaged in the conduct of official Federal, State, Tribal, or local government business.
(K) For special attention or extra services necessary to meet the needs of the disabled.
(2) Relation to fees for use of highways or roads
(3) Prohibition on fees for certain persons or placesThe Secretary shall not charge an entrance fee or standard amenity recreation fee for the following:
(A) Any person under 16 years of age.
(B) Outings conducted for noncommercial educational purposes by schools or bona fide academic institutions.
(C) The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Independence National Historical Park, any unit of the National Park System within the District of Columbia, or Arlington House-Robert E. Lee National Memorial.
(D) The Flight 93 National Memorial.
(E) Entrance on other routes into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or any part thereof unless fees are charged for entrance into that park on main highways and thoroughfares.
(F) Entrance on units of the National Park System containing deed restrictions on charging fees.
(G) An area or unit covered under section 203 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (Public Law 96–487; 16 U.S.C. 410hh–2), with the exception of Denali National Park and Preserve.
(H) A unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System created, expanded, or modified by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (Public Law 96–487).
(I) Any person who visits a unit or area under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and who has been issued a valid migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp issued under section 718b of this title.
(J) Any person engaged in a nonrecreational activity authorized under a valid permit issued under any other Act, including a valid grazing permit.
(4) No restriction on recreation opportunities
(e) Entrance fee
(1) Authorized sites for entrance fees
(2) Prohibited sites
(f) Standard amenity recreation feeExcept as limited by subsection (d), the Secretary may charge a standard amenity recreation fee for Federal recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, or the Forest Service, but only at the following:
(1) A National Conservation Area.
(2) A National Volcanic Monument.
(3) A destination visitor or interpretive center that provides a broad range of interpretive services, programs, and media.
(4) An area—
(A) that provides significant opportunities for outdoor recreation;
(B) that has substantial Federal investments;
(C) where fees can be efficiently collected; and
(D) that contains all of the following amenities:
(i) Designated developed parking.
(ii) A permanent toilet facility.
(iii) A permanent trash receptacle.
(iv) Interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk.
(v) Picnic tables.
(vi) Security services.
(g) Expanded amenity recreation fee
(1) NPS and USFWS authority
(2) Other Federal land management agenciesExcept as limited by subsection (d), the Secretary may charge an expanded amenity recreation fee, either in addition to a standard amenity fee or by itself, at Federal recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Bureau of Reclamation, but only for the following facilities or services:
(A) Use of developed campgrounds that provide at least a majority of the following:
(i) Tent or trailer spaces.
(ii) Picnic tables.
(iii) Drinking water.
(iv) Access roads.
(v) The collection of the fee by an employee or agent of the Federal land management agency.
(vi) Reasonable visitor protection.
(vii) Refuse containers.
(viii) Toilet facilities.
(ix) Simple devices for containing a campfire.
(B) Use of highly developed boat launches with specialized facilities or services such as mechanical or hydraulic boat lifts or facilities, multi-lane paved ramps, paved parking, restrooms and other improvements such as boarding floats, loading ramps, or fish cleaning stations.
(C) Rental of cabins, boats, stock animals, lookouts, historic structures, group day-use or overnight sites, audio tour devices, portable sanitation devices, binoculars or other equipment.
(D) Use of hookups for electricity, cable, or sewer.
(E) Use of sanitary dump stations.
(F) Participation in an enhanced interpretive program or special tour.
(G) Use of reservation services.
(H) Use of transportation services.
(I) Use of areas where emergency medical or first-aid services are administered from facilities staffed by public employees or employees under a contract or reciprocal agreement with the Federal Government.
(J) Use of developed swimming sites that provide at least a majority of the following:
(i) Bathhouse with showers and flush toilets.
(ii) Refuse containers.
(iii) Picnic areas.
(iv) Paved parking.
(v) Attendants, including lifeguards.
(vi) Floats encompassing the swimming area.
(vii) Swimming deck.
(h) Special recreation permits and fees
(1) Special recreation permits
(A) ApplicationsThe Secretary—
(i) may develop and make available to the public an application to obtain a special recreation permit described in clause (i) of section 6801(13)(A) of this title; and
(ii) shall develop and make available to the public an application to obtain a special recreation permit described in each of clauses (ii) through (iv) of section 6801(13)(A) of this title.
(B) Issuance of permits
(C) Incidental sales
(2) Special recreation permit fees
(A) In general
(B) Predetermined special recreation permit fees
(i) In general
(ii) Type of feeA predetermined fee described in clause (i) shall be—(I) a fixed fee that is assessed per special recreation permit, including a fee with an associated size limitation or other criteria as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary; or(II) an amount assessed per visitor-use day.
(iii) CriteriaA predetermined fee under clause (i) shall—(I) have been established before January 4, 2025;(II) be established after January 4, 2025, in accordance with subsection (b);(III)(aa) be established after January 4, 2025; and(bb) be comparable to an amount described in subparagraph (D)(ii) or (E)(ii), as applicable; or(IV) beginning on the date that is 2 years after January 4, 2025, be $6 per visitor-use day in instances in which the Secretary has not established a predetermined fee under subclause (I), (II), or (III).
(C) Calculation of fees for specialized recreational uses and large-group activities or events
(D) Calculation of fees for single organized group recreation activities or events, competitive events, and certain recurring organized group recreation activitiesIf the Secretary elects to charge a fee for a special recreation permit described in section 6801(13)(A)(iii) of this title, the Secretary shall charge the recreation service provider, based on the election of the recreation service provider—
(i) the applicable predetermined fee established under subparagraph (B); or
(ii) an amount equal to a percentage of, to be determined by the Secretary, but to not to exceed 5 percent of, adjusted gross receipts calculated under subparagraph (F).
(E) Calculation of fees for temporary permits and long-term permitsSubject to subparagraph (G), if the Secretary elects to charge a fee for a special recreation permit described in section 6801(13)(A)(iv) of this title, the Secretary shall charge the recreation service provider, based on the election of the recreation service provider—
(i) the applicable predetermined fee established under subparagraph (B); or
(ii) an amount equal to a percentage of, to be determined by the Secretary, but not to exceed 3 percent of, adjusted gross receipts calculated under subparagraph (F).
(F) Adjusted gross receiptsFor the purposes of subparagraphs (D)(ii) and (E)(ii), the Secretary shall calculate the adjusted gross receipts collected for each trip or event authorized under a special recreation permit, using either of the following calculations, based on the election of the recreation service provider:
(i) The sum of—(I) the product obtained by multiplying—(aa) the general amount paid by participants of the trip or event to the recreation service provider for the applicable trip or event (excluding amounts related to goods, souvenirs, merchandise, gear, and additional food provided or sold by the recreation service provider); and(bb) the quotient obtained by dividing—(AA) the number of days of the trip or event that occurred on Federal recreational lands and waters covered by the special recreation permit, rounded to the nearest whole day; by(BB) the total number of days of the trip or event; and(II) the amount of any additional revenue received by the recreation service provider for an add-on activity or an optional excursion that occurred on the Federal recreational lands and waters covered by the special recreation permit.
(ii) The difference between—(I) the total cost paid by the participants of the trip or event for the trip or event to the recreation service provider, including any additional revenue received by the recreation service provider for an add-on activity or an optional excursion that occurred on the Federal recreational lands and waters covered by the special recreation permit; and(II) the sum of—(aa) the amount of any revenues from goods, souvenirs, merchandise, gear, and additional food provided or sold by the recreation service provider to the participants of the applicable trip or event;(bb) the amount of any costs or revenues from services and activities provided or sold by the recreation service provider to the participants of the trip or event that occurred in a location other than the Federal recreational lands and waters covered by the special recreation permit (including costs for travel and lodging outside the Federal recreational lands and waters covered by the special recreation permit); and(cc) the amount of any revenues from any service provided by a recreation service provider for an activity on Federal recreational lands and waters that is not covered by the special recreation permit.
(G) Exception
(H) Savings clauses
(i) EffectNothing in this paragraph affects any fee for—(I) a concession contract administered by the National Park Service or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the provision of accommodations, facilities, or services; or(II) a commercial use authorization or special use permit for use of Federal recreational lands and waters managed by the National Park Service.
(ii) Cost recovery
(iii) Special recreation permit fees and other recreation fees
(i) Disclosure of recreation fees and use of recreation fees
(1) Notice of entrance fees, standard amenity recreation fees, expanded amenity recreation fees, and available recreation passes
(A) In generalThe Secretary shall post clear notice of any entrance fee, standard amenity recreation fee, expanded amenity recreation fee, and available recreation passes—
(i) at appropriate locations in each unit or area of Federal recreational land and waters at which an entrance fee, standard amenity recreation fee, or expanded amenity recreation fee is charged; and
(ii) on the appropriate website for such unit or area.
(B) Publications
(2) Notice of uses of recreation feesBeginning on January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall annually post, at the location at which a recreation fee described in paragraph (1)(A) is collected, clear notice of—
(A) the total recreation fees collected during each of the 2 preceding fiscal years at the respective unit or area of the Federal land management agency; and
(B) each use during the preceding fiscal year of the applicable recreation fee or recreation pass revenues collected under this section.
(3) Notice of recreation fee projects
(4) Centralized reporting on agency websites
(A) In general
(B) List componentsThe list required under subparagraph (A) shall include, with respect to each use described in that subparagraph—
(i) a title and description of the overall project;
(ii) a title and description for each component of the project;
(iii) the location of the project; and
(iv) the amount obligated for the project.
(5) Notice to customers
(j) Online payments
(1) In generalIn addition to providing onsite payment methods, the Secretaries may collect payment online for—
(A) entrance fees under subsection (e);
(B) standard amenity recreation fees under subsection (f);
(C) expanded amenity recreation fees under subsection (g); and
(D) special recreation permit fees.
(2) Distribution of online payments
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 803, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3378; Pub. L. 118–234, title III, §§ 311(b), 322(c), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2893, 2910.)
§ 6803. Public participation
(a) In general
(b) Advance notice
(c) Public involvementBefore establishing any new recreation fee area, the Secretary shall provide opportunity for public involvement by—
(1) establishing guidelines for public involvement;
(2) establishing guidelines on how agencies will demonstrate on an annual basis how they have provided information to the public on the use of recreation fee revenues; and
(3) publishing the guidelines in paragraphs (1) and (2) in the Federal Register.
(d) Recreation Resource Advisory Committee
(1) Establishment
(A) Authority to establish
(B) Number of Committees
(C) Exception
(D) Use of other entities
(2) DutiesIn accordance with the procedures required by paragraph (9), a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee may make recommendations to the Secretary regarding a standard amenity recreation fee or an expanded amenity recreation fee, whenever the recommendations relate to public concerns in the State or region covered by the Committee regarding—
(A) the implementation of a standard amenity recreation fee or an expanded amenity recreation fee or the establishment of a specific recreation fee site;
(B) the elimination of a standard amenity recreation fee or an expanded amenity recreation fee; or
(C) the expansion or limitation of the recreation fee program.
(3) Meetings
(4) Notice of rejection
(5) Composition of the Advisory Committee
(A) Number
(B) Nominations
(C) Appointment
(D) Broad and balanced representationIn appointing the members of a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, the Secretary shall provide for a balanced and broad representation from the recreation community that shall include the following:
(i) Five persons who represent recreation users and that include, as appropriate, persons representing the following:(I) Winter motorized recreation, such as snowmobiling.(II) Winter non-motorized recreation, such as snowshoeing, cross country and down hill skiing, and snowboarding.(III) Summer motorized recreation, such as motorcycles, boaters, and off-highway vehicles.(IV) Summer nonmotorized recreation, such as backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, and rafting.(V) Hunting and fishing.
(ii) Four persons who represent interest groups that include, as appropriate, the following:(I) Motorized outfitters and guides.(II) Non-motorized outfitters and guides.(III) Local environmental groups.(IV) Veterans organizations, as such term is defined in section 8471 of this title.
(iii) Three persons, as follows:(I) State tourism official to represent the State.(II) A person who represents affected Indian tribes.(III) A person who represents affected local government interests.
(6) Term
(A) Length of term
(B) Effect of vacancy
(C) Effect of unexpected vacancy
(7) Chairperson
(8) Quorum
(9) Approval procedures
(10) Compensation
(11) Public participation in the Recreation Resource Advisory Committee
(A) Notice of meetings
(B) Records
(12) Chapter 10 of title 5
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 804, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3382; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(132), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4320; Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 225, title III, § 311(c), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2888, 2897.)
§ 6804. Recreation passes
(a) America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
(1) Availability and use
(2) Image competition for recreation pass
(3) Notice of establishment
(4) Duration
(5) Price
(6) Sales locations and marketing
(A) In generalThe Secretaries shall sell or otherwise make available the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—
(i) at all Federal recreational lands and waters at which—(I) an entrance fee or a standard amenity recreation fee is charged; and(II) such sales or distribution of the Pass is feasible;
(ii) at such other locations as the Secretaries consider appropriate and feasible; and
(iii) through a prominent link to a centralized pass sale system on the website of each of the Federal land management agencies and the websites of the relevant units and subunits of those agencies, which shall include information about where and when a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass may be used.
(B) Use of vendors
(C) Marketing
(7) Administrative guidelines
(8) Development and implementation agreements
(9) Prohibition on other national recreation passes
(10) Digital recreation passesNot later than January 1, 2026, the Secretaries shall—
(A) establish a digital version of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass that is able to be stored on a mobile device, including with respect to free and discounted passes; and
(B) upon completion of a transaction for a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, make immediately available to the passholder a digital version of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass established under subparagraph (A).
(b) Free and discounted passes
(1) Age discount
(A) The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available to any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who is 62 years of age or older, if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of such age and such citizenship or residency. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass made available under this paragraph shall be available—
(i) for a period of 12 months from the date of the issuance, at a cost of $20; and
(ii) for the lifetime of the passholder, at a cost equal to the cost of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass purchased under subsection (a).
(B) The Secretary shall issue a pass under subparagraph (A)(ii), for no additional cost, to any individual who provides evidence, under policies and guidelines determined by the Secretary, that the individual has purchased a pass under subparagraph (A)(i) for each of the 4 years prior to being issued a pass under this subparagraph.
(2) Lifetime passesThe Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to the following:
(A) Any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled, within the meaning of the term “disability” under section 12102 of title 42, if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of the disability and such citizenship or residency.
(B) Any veteran who provides adequate proof of military service as determined by the Secretary.
(C) Any member of a Gold Star Family who meets the eligibility requirements of section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36 (or a successor instruction).
(3) Annual passes
(c) Site-specific agency passes
(d) Regional multientity passes
(1) Passes authorized
(2) Regional multientity pass agreement
(e) Discounted or free admission days or use
(f) Effect on existing passports and permits
(1) Existing passports
(2) Permits
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 805, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3385; Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(d)(36), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3267; Pub. L. 114–289, title I, § 102, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1484; Pub. L. 116–205, § 2, Dec. 3, 2020, 134 Stat. 996; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI, § 625, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3677; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VI, § 641, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1776; Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 322(a), (b), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2910.)
§ 6804a. Availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes
(a) Establishment of program
(1) In general
(2) Included passes
Passes covered by the program established under paragraph (1) include—
(A) an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass under section 6804 of this title; and
(B) any pass covering any fees charged by participating States and counties for entrance and recreational use of parks and public land in the participating States.
(b) Agreements with States and counties
(1) In general
(2) Revenue from pass sales
Agreements between the Secretaries, States, and counties entered into pursuant to this section shall ensure that—
(A) funds from the sale of State or local passes are transferred to the appropriate State agency or county government;
(B) funds from the sale of Federal passes are transferred to the appropriate Federal agency; and
(C) fund transfers are completed by the end of a fiscal year for all pass sales occurring during the fiscal year.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 805A, as added Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 321(a), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2909.)
§ 6805. Cooperative agreements
(a) Fee management agreement
Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, the Secretary may enter into a fee management agreement, including a contract, which may provide for a reasonable commission, reimbursement, or discount, with the following entities for the following purposes:
(1) With any governmental or nongovernmental entity, including those in a gateway community, for the purpose of obtaining fee collection and processing services, including visitor reservation services.
(2) With any governmental or nongovernmental entity, including those in a gateway community, for the purpose of obtaining emergency medical services.
(3) With any governmental entity, including those in a gateway community, to obtain law enforcement services.
(b) Revenue sharing
(c) County proposals
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 806, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3387.)
§ 6806. Special account and distribution of fees and revenues
(a) Special account
(b) Deposits
Subject to subsections (c), (d), and (e), revenues collected by each Federal land management agency under this chapter shall—
(1) be deposited in its special account; and
(2) remain available for expenditure, without further appropriation, until expended.
(c) Distribution of recreation fees and single-site agency pass revenues
(1) Local distribution of funds
(A) Retention of revenues
(B) Reduction
(2) Agency-wide distribution of funds
(3) Other amounts
(d) Distribution of National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass revenues
(e) Distribution of regional multientity pass revenues
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 807, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3388.)
§ 6807. Expenditures
(a) Use of fees at specific site or areaAmounts available for expenditure at a specific site or area—
(1) shall be accounted for separately from the amounts collected;
(2) may be distributed agency-wide; and
(3) shall be used only for—
(A) repair, maintenance, and facility enhancement related directly to visitor enjoyment, visitor access, and health and safety;
(B) interpretation, visitor information, visitor service, visitor needs assessments, and signs;
(C) habitat restoration directly related to wildlife-dependent recreation that is limited to hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or photography;
(D) law enforcement related to public use and recreation;
(E) direct operating or capital costs associated with the recreation fee program;
(F) a fee management agreement established under section 6805(a) of this title or a visitor reservation service;
(G) the processing of special recreation permit applications and administration of special recreation permits; and
(H) the improvement of the operation of the special recreation permit program under section 6802(h) of this title.
(b) Limitation on use of fees
(c) Administration, overhead, and indirect costs
(d) Transitional exceptionNotwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Secretary may use amounts available in the special account of a Federal land management agency to supplement administration and marketing costs associated with—
(1) the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass during the 5-year period beginning on the date the joint guidelines are issued under section 6804(a)(7) of this title; and
(2) a regional multientity pass authorized section 6804(d) of this title during the 5-year period beginning on the date the regional multientity pass agreement for that recreation pass takes effect.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 808, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3388; Pub. L. 111–11, title VII, § 7116(h), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1203; Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 311(d), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2897.)
§ 6808. Reports
Not later than May 1, 2006, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the status of the recreation fee program conducted for Federal recreational lands and waters, including an evaluation of the recreation fee program, examples of projects that were funded using such fees, and future projects and programs for funding with fees, and containing any recommendations for changes in the overall fee system.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 809, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3389.)
§ 6809. Sunset provision
The authority of the Secretary to carry out this chapter shall terminate September 30, 2031.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 810, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3389; Pub. L. 113–235, div. F, title IV, § 422, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2449; Pub. L. 114–53, div. B, § 134, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 509, renumbered div. B, Pub. L. 114–113, § 8(3), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2245; Pub. L. 114–223, div. C, § 133, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 914; Pub. L. 115–56, div. D, § 131, Sept. 8, 2017, 131 Stat. 1145; Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 311(e), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2898.)
§ 6810. Volunteers
(a) Authority to use volunteers
(b) Waiver or discount of fees; site-specific agency pass
(c) National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
(d) Regional multientity passes
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 811, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3389.)
§ 6811. Enforcement and protection of receipts
(a) Enforcement authority
(b) Evidence of nonpayment
(c) Joint liability
(d) Limitation on penalties
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 812, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3390.)
§ 6812. Repeal of superseded admission and use fee authorities
(a) Land and Water Conservation Fund Act
(b) Recreational fee demonstration program
(c) Admission permits for refuge units
(d) National park passport, Golden Eagle Passport, Golden Age Passport, and Golden Access Passport
Effective on the date the notice required by section 6804(a)(3) of this title is published in the Federal Register, the following provisions of law authorizing the establishment of a national park passport program or the establishment and sale of a national park passport, Golden Eagle Passport, Golden Age Passport, or Golden Access Passport are repealed:
(1) Section 502 1 of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–391).
(2) Title VI 1 of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–391).
(e) Treatment of unobligated funds
(1) Land and water conservation fund special accounts
(2) National parks passport
(3) Recreational fee demonstration program
(4) Admission permits for refuge units
(f) Effect of regulations
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 813, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3390; Pub. L. 109–54, title I, § 132(a), Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 526; Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(d)(37), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3268.)
§ 6813. Relation to other laws and fee collection authorities
(a) Federal and State laws unaffected
(b) Relation to revenue allocation laws
Amounts collected under this chapter, and the existence of a fee management agreement with a governmental entity under section 6805(a) of this title, may not be taken into account for the purposes of any of the following laws:
(1) The sixth paragraph under the span “Forest service” in the Act of May 23, 1908 (16 U.S.C. 500).
(2)Section 13 of the Act of March 1, 1911 (16 U.S.C. 500; commonly known as the Weeks Act).
(3) The fourteenth paragraph under the span “Forest service” in the Act of March 4, 1913 (16 U.S.C. 501).
(4)Section 1012 of title 7.
(5) Title II of the Act of August 8, 1937,1
1 See References in Text note below.
and the Act of May 24, 1939 (43 U.S.C. 1181f et seq.) 1.(6)Section 869–4 of title 43.
(7) Chapter 69 of title 31.
(8)Section 715s of this title.
(9) The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–393; 16 U.S.C. 500 note),1 except that the exception made for such Act by this subsection is unique and is not intended to be construed as precedent for amounts collected from the use of Federal lands under any other provision of law.
(10)Section 618a of title 43.
(11) The Federal Water Project Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460l–12 et seq.).
(12)Section 391 of title 43.
(13) The Act of February 25, 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.; commonly known as the Mineral Leasing Act).
(14) Section 4(e) of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–263; 31 U.S.C. 6901 note) 1.
(15) Section 5(a) of the Lincoln County Land Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–298; 114 Stat. 1047).
(16) Any other provision of law relating to revenue allocation.
(c) Consideration of other funds collected
(d) Sole recreation fee authority
(e) Fees charged by third parties
(f) Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 814, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3392.)
§ 6814. Limitation on use of fees for employee bonuses
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, fees collected under the authorities of the chapter may not be used for employee bonuses.
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, § 815, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3393.)