Trump E.O. Repeals 50-Year Framework for Off-Road Vehicle Use on Public Lands (Guide)

Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 (1972 & 1977): Issued by Presidents Nixon and Carter, these E.O.’s established the framework for managing off-road vehicle use on public lands. Together, they required agencies to designate where motorized use could occur while minimizing impacts to wildlife, habitat, natural and cultural resources, other recreationists, and public safety, and to close areas or trails when motorized use was causing, or likely to cause, significant resource damage.

For over 50 years, these E.O.’s have served as the foundation for:

• Travel management planning
• Route designation systems
• Seasonal wildlife closures
• Sensitive habitat protections
• Recreation management across federal lands

The Trump E.O. does not immediately open new roads, trails, or areas to motorized use. Existing travel management plans, route designations, closures, land-use plans, and National Park Service, BLM, and Forest Service travel management regulations remain in effect unless and until they are revised through future agency action. Instead, the Order directs federal agencies to review, revise, or rescind regulations adopted to implement the repealed E.O.s and develop a new framework for managing off-road vehicle use on public lands.

At least the Forest Service and BLM appear to be moving in that direction, although no regulatory changes have been finalized and it remains unclear how the National Park Service will proceed. By removing a 50-year framework that required agencies to minimize impacts from motorized use, the Trump Order lays the groundwork for expanded off-road vehicle access and fewer safeguards for wildlife, habitat, cultural resources, and other public land values.

Federal agencies must still comply with existing laws when designating routes or revising travel management plans, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other agency-specific authorities. Any future regulatory changes, travel management revisions, or project approvals will still be subject to the procedural and substantive requirements of these laws.

 The Executive Order does not immediately open public lands to new motorized use, but it removes the 50-year policy framework that guided how federal agencies balanced motorized access with protection of wildlife, habitat, cultural resources, and other public land values. The real impacts will emerge through future rulemakings, travel management plan revisions, and project approvals. 

Although the Trump Order does not immediately change on-the-ground management, it begins a process that will reshape how federal agencies manage motorized use on public lands. Public lands stakeholders should closely monitor upcoming agency activity and engage early in the process.

Key actions include:

• Track agency rulemakings
• Participate in public comment periods for rulemakings and plan revisions
• Monitor travel management plan revisions
• Document on-the-ground impacts
• Engage elected officials and local governments
• Build the administrative record early