Trump Order Could Expand Off-Road Access on Federal Lands

Summer in Montana is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy everything our public lands have to offer. For many people, that includes exploring on ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles. 

New Executive Order Enhances Off-Road Access

Now, a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump on May 29 could make access to some federal lands easier for off-road enthusiasts. 

The order rescinds two directives that had guided federal agencies' management of off-road vehicle use for roughly 50 years. The Trump administration says those rules were outdated and created unnecessary barriers to public access.  

According to the White House, the goal is to remove what it calls "unnecessary and counterproductive restrictions on access to federal lands" and to give agencies more flexibility when determining where off-road vehicles can be used. The administration argues that modern technology and existing federal laws already provide adequate tools for managing public lands.  

Historical Context: Executive Orders on Off-Road Vehicles

The executive order specifically rescinds Executive Order 11644, signed by President Richard Nixon in 1972, and Executive Order 11989, signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Those orders established criteria aimed at minimizing environmental impacts, protecting wildlife habitats, and reducing conflicts between off-road vehicle users and other recreational visitors.  

The Bureau of Land Management manages about 8.3 million acres of public land, and about 47.1 million acres of federal mineral estate in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Support and Criticism: Opinions on New Regulations

The new order directs federal agencies to review and revise regulations that were created under those earlier policies. Supporters say the move will increase recreational access and reduce regulatory burdens, while critics have raised concerns about potential impacts on wildlife, conservation efforts, and sensitive public lands.  

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For Montana's many off-road vehicle users, the changes could eventually lead to expanded access opportunities on some federally managed lands, though specific changes will depend on future agency rulemaking and land management decisions.