Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 8/11/78
Series: Public Lands
Part 616: Use of Off-Road Vehicles
Chapter 1: Implementation of Executive Order 11644, As Amended
Originating Office: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks
616 DM 1
1.1 Purpose. This Chapter prescribes general procedures for implementing Executive Order 11644, as amended by Executive Order 11989. The purpose of Executive Order 11644, as amended, is to ensure that the use of off-road vehicles on all lands under the custody and control of the Department, except Indian lands, will be controlled and directed so as to protect the resources of those lands, to promote the safety of all users of those lands, and to minimize conflicts among the various uses of those lands.
1.2 Definitions.
A. An
Aoff-road vehicle@ means any motorized vehicle designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, sand, snow, ice, marsh, swampland, or other natural terrain; except, that such term excludes:(1) Any registered motorboat;
(2) Any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle when used for emergency purposes, and any combat or combat support vehicle when used for national defense purposes; and
(3) Any vehicle whose use for non-recreational purposes is expressly authorized by the Secretary, or his designee, under a permit, lease, license, or contract.
B.
AOfficial use@ means use by an employee, agent, or designated representative of the Federal Government or one of its contractors in the course of his/her employment, agency, or representation.1.3 Implementation.
A. Each Assistant Secretary, except the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs, with authorities and responsibilities for the administration of lands under the custody and control of the Department, or his/her designee, will:
(1) Exercise continuing review of the policies, procedures, regulations, and administrative instructions governing the use of off-road vehicles on Interior lands under his/her jurisdiction to assure compliance with Executive Order 11644, as amended by Executive Order 11989. This includes the designation, public participation, operating conditions, public information, enforcement, consultation, monitoring, and special protection provisions thereof, and,
(2) Whenever necessary, make those changes needed for compliance.
B. In addition, each respective Assistant Secretary, or his/her designee, is authorized to adopt, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Executive Order 11644, as amended, the policy that portions of the Interior lands under his/her jurisdiction will be closed to use by off-road vehicles, except those areas and trails which are suitable and specifically designated as open to such use pursuant to Section 3 of the Executive Order. This closure authority supplements the restrictions on use of certain Interior lands specified in Section 3(a)(4) of Executive Order 11644, as amended.
C. The limitations on off-road vehicle use imposed by Section 3 of Executive Order 11644, as amended, do not apply to official use of off-road vehicles.
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