2026 Federal Policy Updates: USFS Restructuring & Trail Impacts | CAMTB

Midsummer Policy Rollbacks & USFS Restructuring

As we move through the mid-year mark, the California trail community is facing a significant federal policy updates particularly regarding the U.S. Forest Service. Current developments ranging from agency-wide reorganization to the potential withdrawal of the Travel Management and Roadless Rules have left the future of recreation funding and land management in a state of flux. Amidst this transition, a critical window has opened to secure the renewal of the Resources Legacy Fund and tackle the persistent backlog of deferred maintenance on our public lands.

USFS Restructuring: The New Placerville State Office

The Forest Service is implementing a major administrative overhaul designed to move leadership out of D.C. and closer to local landscapes.

• National HQ Move: Headquarters is transitioning to Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Dissolving Regions: The legacy regional model (Region 5) is being phased out in favor of a state-based system, replacing nine Regional Foresters with 15 State Directors.
• Local Hub: A new California State Office is establishing its roots in Placerville, while the Vallejo site becomes a national training hub.
• Recreation Impact: This shift creates a centralized Operations Service Center in Placerville. For mountain bike advocates, success will depend on rebuilding vital relationships with new leadership to ensure local trail needs remain a priority.

This climate of uncertainty affects everyone from field staff to the national office. We approach this transition with empathy for agency personnel while recognizing that the effectiveness of the stewardship community hinges on our persistence, the strength of our partnerships, and a collective push for expanded recreation resources.

Sustaining Infrastructure: GAOA Reauthorization Efforts

Since its inception in 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) has been the lifeblood for public land maintenance. With the initial funding cycle having concluded in September 2025, securing reauthorization is now a paramount objective for the outdoor community.

Two key legislative paths are currently progressing through the Capitol:

• The “America the Beautiful Act” (Senate): This bipartisan effort seeks to provide $9.5 billion over five years to extend the Legacy Restoration Fund.
• The “GAOA 250” (House): Championed by a bipartisan group including Rep. Huffman, this bill mirrors the $1.9 billion annual investment, proposing diverse revenue streams from energy and visitor fees.

Crucial Context: These funds are essential for modernizing campgrounds and fixing aging bridges. Without federal support, the burden of these costs falls on local districts that are already financially strained.

The Road Ahead: While the symbolic July 4 deadline has passed, momentum remains high to finalize this reauthorization as a landmark achievement during this 250th anniversary year.

Reviewing the Roadless Rule and Backcountry Access

The foundational 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule is facing a total rescission. The administration aims to prioritize wildfire mitigation and logging over existing protections. Despite the significance of this move, the Forest Service has opted not to hold public hearings as they develop the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Debunking Roadless Misconceptions

It is a common myth that these areas are devoid of roads. In reality, existing roads within these zones are vital for recreation. The current rule specifically targets the creation of new permanent roads, while still allowing for temporary project-based access.

Consequences for the Recreation Community

Repealing these protections has far-reaching effects on our trails and economies:

• Endangering the Backcountry Experience: Millions of acres and thousands of miles of trail—including the Orogenesis Trail and iconic California routes like Downieville’s Second Divide—rely on these protections to maintain their rugged, wilderness-like character.
• Economic Foundations: California’s outdoor economy relies on these intact landscapes. Rural gateway communities are especially vulnerable when backcountry resources are degraded.
• Fiscal and Agency Capacity: With a massive maintenance backlog, adding more roads creates long-term liabilities the USFS cannot afford. We argue for focusing resources on maintaining existing trails rather than expanding road networks.

Clarifying Motorized Use in Roadless Areas

These areas also host thousands of miles of motorized trails that offer high-quality backcountry experiences for all users. The existing rule already balances safety and management needs; removing it entirely threatens the equilibrium between ecological health and recreation.

Advocacy in Action: California MTB & Trail Advocates Step Up

In response to the lack of official forums, a coalition of advocates hosted independent town halls across the state to gather community input on the Roadless Rule. Events in South Lake Tahoe, Rocklin, and Los Angeles served to educate the public on the intersection of trail access and wildfire resilience. Leading voices in these discussions included:

• Joel Robinson: Naturalist For You
• Steve Messer: CAMTB
• Jessica Smith: TAMBA
• Mary Lunetta: Sierra Club
• Craig Thomas: Fire Restoration Group
• Jeff Kuyper: Los Padres ForestWatch

Travel Management Repeal and Multi-User Trail Dynamics

Another critical shift is the move to repeal the 2005 Travel Management Rule (TMR) and associated Executive Orders regulating off-highway vehicles (OHVs).

• Rescinding Protections: The recent withdrawal of foundational EOs has removed the requirement to restrict OHVs to designated routes.
• Ending the TMR: Leadership plans to dismantle the TMR framework, which currently guides Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
• Default-Open Shift: This effectively returns forests to an “open-unless-posted-closed” model for motorized use.

Impacts on Safety and Stewardship: This shift introduces new safety risks on narrow singletrack where bikers and motorized users may unexpectedly overlap. Furthermore, local trail groups will need to increase monitoring of how heightened motorized traffic affects the specialized tread of mountain bike-specific trails.