16 U.S. Code § 8422 - Protecting America’s rock climbing

(a) In general

Not later than 18 months after January 4, 2025, each Secretary concerned shall issue guidance for recreational climbing activities on covered Federal land.

(b) Applicable law

The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall ensure that recreational climbing activities comply with the laws (including regulations) applicable to the covered Federal land.

(c) Wilderness areas

The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall recognize that recreational climbing (including the use, placement, and maintenance of fixed anchors) is an appropriate use within a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, if undertaken—

(1) in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and other applicable laws (including regulations); and

(2) subject to any terms and conditions determined by the Secretary concerned to be appropriate.

(d) Authorization

The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall describe the requirements, if any, for the placement and maintenance of fixed anchors for recreational climbing in a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, including any terms and conditions determined by the Secretary concerned to be appropriate, which may be issued programmatically or on a case-by-case basis.

(e) Existing routes

The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall include direction providing for the continued use and maintenance of recreational climbing routes (including fixed anchors along the routes) in existence as of January 4, 2025, in accordance with this chapter.

(f) Public comment

Before finalizing the guidance issued under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall provide opportunities for public comment with respect to the guidance.

(g) Covered Federal land defined

In this section, the term “covered Federal land”—

(1) means the lands described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2); and

(2) includes components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

(Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 122, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2843.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Wilderness Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is Pub. L. 88–577, Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 890, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§ 1131 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1131 of this title and Tables.

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 118–234, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2836, known as the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act and also known as the EXPLORE Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 8401 of this title and Tables.