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

# §583k–3. Priority trail maintenance program

- (a) **Selection—** In accordance with subsections [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c), not later than 6 months after November 28, 2016, the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) of Agriculture shall select no fewer than 9 and no more than 15 [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5) for increased [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) accomplishments.
- (b) **Criteria—** [Priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5) shall include a well-defined region on National Forest System land where the lack of [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) has—
  - (1) reduced access to public land;
  - (2) led to an increase, or risk of increase, in harm to natural resources;
  - (3) jeopardized public safety;
  - (4) resulted in trails being impassible by the intended managed users; or
  - (5) increased future deferred [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) costs.
- (c) **Requirements—** In selecting [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5), the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall—
  - (1) consider any public input on [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5) received within 3 months of November 28, 2016;
  - (2) consider the range of trail users (including motorized and non-motorized trail users); and
  - (3) include at least one [priority area](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5) in each region of the United States Forest Service.
- (d) **Increased trail maintenance—**
  - (1) **In general—** Within 6 months of the selection of [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5) under [subsection (a)](#a), and in accordance with [paragraph (2)](#d-2), the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall develop an approach to substantially increase [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) accomplishments within each [priority area](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5).
  - (2) **Contents—** In developing the approach under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall—
    - (A) consider any public input on [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) priorities and needs within any [priority area](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5);
    - (B) consider the costs and benefits of increased [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) within each [priority area](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5); and
    - (C) incorporate [partners](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) and [volunteers](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) in the [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8).
  - (3) **Required trail maintenance—** Utilizing the approach developed under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall substantially increase [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) within each [priority area](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5).
- (e) **Coordination—** The regional [volunteer](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partnership](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=4) coordinators may be responsible for assisting [partner](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=3) organizations in developing and implementing [volunteer](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=9) and [partnership](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=4) [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) to increase [trail maintenance](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=8) within [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5).
- (f) **Revision—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=6) shall periodically review the [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5) to determine whether revisions are necessary and may revise the [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5), including the selection of new [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5) or removal of existing [priority areas](/usc/16/583k–1.md?p=5), at his sole discretion.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 114–245, § 5, Nov. 28, 2016, 130 Stat. 993.)