President Trump has removed two executive orders from previous administrations that placed restrictions on off-road vehicles on public lands. This action could re-open access for these vehicles in many national parks.
The initial order, signed by President Richard Nixon in 1972, set strict guidelines to limit environmental damage from these vehicles on federal lands. The second order was introduced by President Jimmy Carter in 1977, permitting the government to halt off-road driving if it caused ecological harm.
Both orders targeted vehicles like all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles. These vehicles are designed for unpaved surfaces such as dirt, sand, and snow. A White House fact sheet described the executive orders as “outdated and burdensome,” highlighting advances in technology for tracking vehicle impact on ecosystems.
The fact sheet added, “President Trump believes the American people should access and enjoy their public lands without unnecessary and outdated regulations.”
This decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to emphasize recreation, oil and gas drilling, logging, and mining on public lands. Under President Biden, the focus shifted towards conservation and renewable energy.