Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order rescinding outdated restrictions on access to federal lands by eliminating Executive Orders 11644 and 11989. These orders previously required federal agencies to manage off-road vehicle use with subjective criteria that were difficult to apply. This action aims to restore balanced land management and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on public land use.
The previous Executive Orders, issued about 50 years ago, imposed vague standards intended to prevent adverse effects on natural, aesthetic, or scenic values and to minimize conflicts between off-road vehicles and other recreational uses. According to the fact sheet, these standards created barriers affecting recreation, energy and timber production, access to remote areas, infrastructure maintenance, and rural economic sectors such as tourism and manufacturing.
The new Executive Order directs relevant federal agencies to revoke or revise rules implementing the rescinded orders. It emphasizes that current federal environmental and land management laws already provide adequate authority to manage lands with proper environmental protections, making the old criteria unnecessary. The order is intended to ensure equal access to public land while streamlining resource development and reducing regulatory hurdles.
The fact sheet notes that advances in technology, such as mapping, now support better designations for off-road vehicle use, improving access and recreational opportunities. The rescission is also part of broader efforts, including the Great American Outdoors Act, to improve the nation’s public lands.