---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 8541"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "8541"
heading: "Permitting process improvements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/8541"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences"
  - "Subchapter III — Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation"
  - "Part A — Modernizing Recreation Permitting"
---

# §8541. Permitting process improvements

- (a) **In general—** To simplify the process of the issuance and or reissuance of [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) and reduce the cost of administering [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) under [section 6802(h) of this title](/usc/16/6802.md?p=h) (as amended by this title), the [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall each—
  - (1) during the period beginning on January 1, 2021, and ending on January 1, 2025—
    - (A) evaluate the process for issuing [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4); and
    - (B) based on the evaluation under [subparagraph (A)](#a-1-A), identify opportunities to—
      - (i) eliminate duplicative processes with respect to issuing [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4);
      - (ii) reduce costs for the issuance of [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4);
      - (iii) decrease processing times for [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4); and
      - (iv) issue simplified [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4), including [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event under [subsection (e)](#e); and
  - (2) not later than 1 year after the date on which the [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) complete their respective evaluation and identification processes under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), revise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations and guidance documents, including regulations and guidance documents relating to the environmental review process, for [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) to implement the improvements identified under [paragraph (1)(B)](#a-1-B).
- (b) **Environmental reviews—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, utilize available tools, including tiering to existing programmatic reviews, as appropriate, to facilitate an effective and efficient environmental review process for activities undertaken by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) relating to the issuance of [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4).
  - (2) **Categorical exclusions—** Not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) shall—
    - (A) evaluate whether existing categorical exclusions available to the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) on January 4, 2025, are consistent with the provisions of this subchapter;
    - (B) evaluate whether a modification of an existing categorical exclusion or the establishment of 1 or more new categorical exclusions developed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4321](/usc/42/4321.md) et seq.) is necessary to undertake an activity described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) in a manner consistent with the authorities and requirements in this subchapter; and
    - (C) revise relevant agency regulations and policy statements and guidance documents, as necessary, to modify existing categorical exclusions or incorporate new categorical exclusions based on evaluations conducted under this paragraph.
- (c) **Needs assessments—** Except as required under subsection (c) or (d) of [section 1133 of this title](/usc/16/1133.md), the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) shall not conduct a needs assessment as a condition of issuing a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) under [section 6802(h) of this title](/usc/16/6802.md?p=h) (as amended by this title).
- (d) **Online applications—** Not later than 3 years after January 4, 2025, the [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall make the application for a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) under [section 6802(h) of this title](/usc/16/6802.md?p=h) (as amended by this title), including a reissuance of a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) under that section, available for completion and submission—
  - (1) online;
  - (2) by mail or electronic mail; and
  - (3) in [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) at the field office for the applicable [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2).
- (e) **Special recreation permits for an organized group recreation activity or event—**
  - (1) **Definitions—** In this subsection:
    - (A) **Special recreation permit for an organized group recreation activity or event—** The term “[special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event” means a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) described in subclause (I) or (III) of paragraph (13)(A)(iii) of [section 6801 of this title](/usc/16/6801.md) (as amended by this title).
    - (B) **Youth group—** The term “youth group” means a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) that predominantly serves individuals not older than 25 years of age.
  - (2) **Exemption from certain allocations of use—** If the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) allocates [visitor-use days](/usc/16/8531.md?p=5) available for an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) or activity on [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) among [recreation service providers](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) that hold a permit described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of [section 6801 of this title](/usc/16/6801.md) (as amended by this title), a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event shall not be subject to that allocation of [visitor-use days](/usc/16/8531.md?p=5).
  - (3) **Issuance—** In accordance with paragraphs [(5)](#e-5) and [(6)](#e-6), if use by the general public is not subject to a limited entry permit system and if capacity is available for the times or days in which the proposed activity or event would be undertaken, on request of a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) (including a youth group) to conduct an organized group recreation activity or event described in subclause (I) or (III) of paragraph (13)(A)(iii) of [section 6801 of this title](/usc/16/6801.md) (as amended by this title), the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8)—
    - (A) shall make a nominal effects determination to determine whether the proposed activity or event would have more than nominal effects on [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs; and
    - (B)
      - (i) shall not require a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) (including a youth group) to obtain a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event if the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) determines—
        - (I) the proposed activity or event to be undertaken would have only nominal effects on [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs; and
        - (II) establishing additional terms and conditions for the proposed activity or event is not necessary to protect or avoid conflict on or with [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs;
      - (ii) in the case of an organized group recreation activity or event described in [section 6801(13)(A)(iii)(I) of this title](/usc/16/6801.md?p=13-A-iii-I), may issue to a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) (including a youth group) a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event, subject to any terms and conditions as are determined to be appropriate by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8), if the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) determines—
        - (I) the proposed activity or event to be undertaken would have only nominal effects on [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs; and
        - (II) establishing additional terms and conditions for the proposed activity or event is necessary to protect or avoid conflict on or with [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs;
      - (iii) in the case of an organized group recreation activity or event described in [section 6801(13)(A)(iii)(III) of this title](/usc/16/6801.md?p=13-A-iii-III), shall issue to a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) (including a youth group) a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event, subject to such terms and conditions determined to be appropriate by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8), if the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) determines—
        - (I) the proposed activity or event to be undertaken would have only nominal effects on [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs; and
        - (II) establishing additional terms and conditions for the proposed activity or event is necessary to protect or avoid conflict on or with [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs; and
      - (iv) may issue to a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) (including a youth group) a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event, subject to any terms and conditions determined to be appropriate by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8), if the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) determines—
        - (I) the proposed activity or event to be undertaken may have more than nominal effects on [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs; and
        - (II) establishing additional terms and conditions for the proposed activity or event would be necessary to protect or avoid conflict on or with [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), resources, and programs.
  - (4) **Fees—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) may elect not to charge a fee to a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) (including a youth group) for a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event.
  - (5) **Savings clause—** Nothing in this subsection prevents the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) from limiting or abating the allowance of a proposed activity or event under [paragraph (3)(B)(i)](#e-3-B-i) or the issuance of a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event, based on resource conditions, administrative burdens, or safety issues.
  - (6) **Qualifications—** A [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) for an organized group recreation activity or event issued under [paragraph (3)](#e-3) shall be subject to the health and safety standards required by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) for a permit issued under paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of [section 6801 of this title](/usc/16/6801.md) (as amended by this title).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 312, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2898.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

As amended by this title, referred to in subsecs. (a), (c), (d), (e)(1)(A), (2), (3), and (6), means as amended by title III of Pub. L. 118–234.

This subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), (B), was in the original “this title”, meaning title III of Pub. L. 118–234, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2891, which is classified principally to this subchapter. For complete classification of title III to the Code, see Tables.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.