---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 8521"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "8521"
heading: "Increasing youth recreation visits to Federal land"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/8521"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences"
  - "Subchapter II — Access America"
  - "Part C — Youth Access"
---

# §8521. Increasing youth recreation visits to Federal land

- (a) **Strategy—** Not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025, the [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6), acting jointly, shall develop and make public a strategy to increase the number of youth recreation visits to [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2).
- (b) **Requirements—** A strategy developed under [subsection (a)](#a)—
  - (1) shall—
    - (A) emphasize increased recreation opportunities on [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) for underserved youth;
    - (B) establish objectives and quantifiable targets for increasing youth recreation visits; and
    - (C) provide the anticipated costs to achieve the objectives and meet the targets established under [subparagraph (B)](#b-1-B); and
  - (2) shall not establish any preference between similar recreation facilitated by noncommercial or commercial entities.
- (c) **Update to strategy—** Not later than 5 years after the date of the publication of the strategy required under [subsection (a)](#a), and every 5 years thereafter, the [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall update the strategy and make public the update.
- (d) **Agreements—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) may enter into contracts or cost-share agreements (including contracts or agreements for the [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) of vehicles) to carry out this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 231, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2890.)