---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 583k–2"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "583k–2"
heading: "National Forest System Trails Volunteer and Partnership Strategy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/583k-2"
units:
  - "Chapter 3 — Forests; Forest Service; Reforestation; Management"
  - "Subchapter VI — National Forest System Trails Stewardship"
---

# §583k–2. National Forest System Trails Volunteer and Partnership Strategy

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 2 years after November 28, 2016, the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall publish in the Federal Register a [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7) to significantly increase the role of [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partners](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) in [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8).
- (b) **Required elements—** The [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7) required by [subsection (a)](#a) shall—
  - (1) augment and support the capabilities of Federal employees to carry out or contribute to [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8);
  - (2) provide meaningful opportunities for [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partners](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) to carry out [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) in each region of the Forest Service;
  - (3) address the barriers to increased volunteerism and [partnerships](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=4) in [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) identified by [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9), [partners](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3), and others;
  - (4) prioritize increased volunteerism and [partnerships](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=4) in [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) in those regions with the most severe [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) needs, and where [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) backlogs are jeopardizing access to National [Forest lands](/usc/16/544.md?p=f); and
  - (5) aim to increase [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) by [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partners](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) by 100 percent by the date that is 5 years after November 28, 2016.
- (c) **Additional requirement—** As a component of the [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7), the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall study opportunities to improve [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) by addressing opportunities to use fire crews in [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) activities in a manner that does not jeopardize firefighting capabilities, public safety, or resource protection. Upon a determination that [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) would be advanced by use of fire crews in [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8), the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall incorporate these proposals into the [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7), subject to such terms and conditions as the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) determines to be necessary.
- (d) **Volunteer liability—**
  - (1) **Omitted—**
  - (2) **Additional requirement—** Not later than 2 years after November 28, 2016, the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall adopt regulations implementing this section. These regulations shall ensure that the financial risk from claims or liability associated with [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) undertaking [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) is shared by all [administrative units](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=1).
- (e) **Consultation—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall develop the [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7) in consultation with [volunteer](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partner](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) organizations, a broad array of outdoor recreation stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders.
- (f) **Volunteer and partnership coordination—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall require each [administrative unit](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=1) to develop a [volunteer](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partner](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) coordination implementation plan for the [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7) which clearly defines roles and responsibilities for the [administrative unit](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=1) and district staff, and includes [strategies](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7) to ensure sufficient coordination, assistance, and support for [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partners](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) to improve [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8).
- (g) **Report—**
  - (1) **Contents—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall prepare a report on—
    - (A) the effectiveness of the [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7) in addressing the [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) backlog;
    - (B) the increase in volunteerism and [partnership](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=4) efforts on [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) as a result of the [strategy](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=7);
    - (C) the miles of National Forest System trails maintained by [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partners](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3), and the approximate value of the [volunteer](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partnership](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=4) efforts;
    - (D) the status of the stewardship credits for outfitters and guides pilot program described in [section 583k–5 of this title](/usc/16/583k–5.md) that includes the number of participating sites, total amount of the credits offered, estimated value of [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) performed, and suggestions for revising the program; and
    - (E) recommendations for further increasing volunteerism and [partnerships](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=4) in [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8).
  - (2) **Submission—** Not later than 3 years after November 28, 2016, the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall submit the report required by [paragraph (1)](#g-1) to—
    - (A) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
    - (B) the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 114–245, § 4, Nov. 28, 2016, 130 Stat. 991.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section is comprised of section 4 of Pub. L. 114–245. Subsec. (d)(1) of section 4 of Pub. L. 114–245 amended former section 558c of this title.