From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
SEMA and its Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) subsidiary continue to push for protecting and expanding motorized access to public lands, seeking action by the influential U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining on behalf of a bill that would permanently protect motorized access to roads and trails for Americans with disabilities.
In a recently submitted statement (read the full statement here) in support of S. 2968, the "Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act," SEMA and ORBA hailed the bill as "a welcome policy shift in the name of expanding access on government lands for all Americans."
"SEMA and ORBA support this landmark bill, which ensures that our nation's public lands and the natural treasures are open to all Americans," wrote Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA senior vice president for public and government affairs. "For far too long, federal land management policies have reduced motorized recreational access to public lands at the expense of the disabled and large segments of the U.S. population who are not physically able to enjoy them."
Bill Highlights
- S. 2968 permanently protects "disability-accessible land," which it defines as public land on which at least 2.5 miles of authorized roads accessible to motorized or off-road vehicles exist for each square mile.
- The bill requires the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Forest Service to prioritize updating travel management plans and motor vehicle use on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service lands.
- The BLM and Forest Service may not close roads that would disqualify land from disability-accessible status unless the road was for temporary emergency access or it is a threat to the health and safety of visitors.
- The BLM and Forest Service must provide notice of any proposed road closures, allow for a public comment period, and conduct a public hearing regarding the closure.
- For any roads closed, the Forest Service and DOI must nominate and establish a new road.
- When developing motor vehicle use maps, DOI and the Forest Service must:
- Account for the length of roads in each square mile of public land under their management.
- Prioritize roads that provide access to diverse recreation opportunities.
- Coordinate with federal agencies, state, county, and local governments, and Tribal governments to determine which roads offer the best access to disability-accessible land.
- Have the authority to revise routes on public land in response to changes in local conditions.
For questions about this legislation, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA senior director for federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org.
Image Courtesy of Shutterstock | Ceri Breeze
