Permitted Events - Overview, Solution, Action Item

PROBLEM: A growing number of non-motorized and motorized clubs are being forced to cancel historic and reoccurring permitted events because of a burdensome administrative process. For units that want permitted events to occur, that regulatory burden has made it almost impossible for the agency to authorize an event.  For units that want to eliminate permitted events, that same burden is being used as a convenient excuse for denying that activity.

Currently, the administration of special recreation permits or special use permits is 100% discretionary with no appeal process.  For units that want permitted events to occur, that regulatory burden has made it almost impossible for the agency to authorize an event.  For units that want to eliminate permitted events, that same burden is being used as a convenient excuse for denying that activity.

SOLUTION: Congress is best suited to address this issue with a legislative fix.  That concept has evolved over the last several years after reviewing this issue with clubs, land managers, and legislators. The goal of this legislation should be to eliminate or at least streamline the administrative process at recreation sites where roads, trails, and areas have ready been designated for a particular activity such as OHV, rock climbing, OSV, equestrian, and mountain-bikes.

ACTION ITEM: Draft legislation based on aforementioned legislative pillars