---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 8543"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "8543"
heading: "Permit administration"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/8543"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences"
  - "Subchapter III — Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation"
  - "Part A — Modernizing Recreation Permitting"
---

# §8543. Permit administration

- (a) **Permit availability—**
  - (1) **Notifications of permit availability—**
    - (A) **In general—** Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#a-1-B), in an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) in which use by [recreation service providers](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) is allocated, if the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) determines that [visitor-use days](/usc/16/8531.md?p=5) are available for allocation to [recreation service providers](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) or holders of a [commercial use authorization](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) shall publish that information on the website of the agency that administers the applicable [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2).
    - (B) **Effect—** Nothing in this paragraph—
      - (i) applies to—
        - (I) the reissuance of an existing [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) or [commercial use authorization](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding; or
        - (II) the issuance of a new [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) or new [commercial use authorization](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding issued to the purchaser of—
          - (aa) a [recreation service provider](/usc/16/8531.md?p=3) that is the holder of an existing [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4); or
          - (bb) a holder of an existing [commercial use authorization](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding; or
      - (ii) creates a prerequisite to the issuance of a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) or [commercial use authorization](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding or otherwise limits the authority of the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8)—
        - (I) to issue a new [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) or new [commercial use authorization](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding; or
        - (II) to add a new or additional use to an existing [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) or an existing [commercial use authorization](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding.
  - (2) **Updates—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) shall ensure that information published on the website under this subsection is consistently updated to provide current and correct information to the public.
  - (3) **Electronic mail notifications—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) shall establish a system by which potential applicants for [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) or [commercial use authorizations](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding may subscribe to receive notification by electronic mail of the availability of [special recreation permits](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) under [section 6802(h)(1) of this title](/usc/16/6802.md?p=h-1) (as amended by this title) or [commercial use authorizations](/usc/16/8531.md?p=1) for outfitting and guiding.
- (b) **Permit application or proposal acknowledgment—** Not later than 60 days after the date on which the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) receives a completed application or a complete proposal for a [special recreation permit](/usc/16/8531.md?p=4) under [section 6802(h)(1) of this title](/usc/16/6802.md?p=h-1) (as amended by this title), the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) shall—
  - (1) provide to the applicant notice acknowledging receipt of the application or proposal; and
  - (2)
    - (A) issue a final decision with respect to the application or proposal; or
    - (B) provide to the applicant notice of a projected date for a final decision on the application or proposal.
- (c) **Effect—** Nothing in this section applies to a concession contract issued by the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service for the provision of accommodations, facilities, or services.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 314, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2902.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

As amended by this title, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and (b), means as amended by title III of Pub. L. 118–234.