This bill amends the Wilderness Act to give local federal officials at agencies like the Forest Service and National Park Service the authority to decide which types of non-motorized travel are allowed in wilderness areas. Non-motorized travel includes human-powered activities like hiking, mountain biking, and mechanically-assisted travel where people remain the only power source, but excludes motorized vehicles and equipment. Local officials have up to two years from enactment to make these determinations for existing trails and paths in their jurisdictions, and if they fail to decide, all forms of non-motorized travel automatically become permitted. The bill allows officials to manage recreational uses through measures like permit systems, party size limits, speed restrictions, seasonal closures, and designated trails to protect wilderness character and prevent conflicts. The law includes a presumption that human-powered activities preserve wilderness character, though officials retain authority to restrict uses if they would damage the environment or fundamentally alter an area's wilderness qualities.
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