Under the authority granted to me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, I hereby issue the following order:
Section 1. Purpose. My Administration has significantly reduced unnecessary regulations to boost national prosperity and lessen burdens on key industries vital to our economic and national security, while maintaining essential environmental safeguards. Executive Order 11644 from February 8, 1972, concerning the use of off-road vehicles on public lands, and Executive Order 11989 from May 24, 1977, addressing off-road vehicles on public lands, exemplify excessive regulation. These orders were issued nearly 50 years ago, before current technology could be integrated with existing Federal statutes.
Congress has enacted or revised a set of statutory authorities to guide Federal land policy, including the National Historic Preservation Act, Public Law 89‑665, 80 Stat. 915 (1966) (codified as amended at 54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act, Public Law 91-190, 83 Stat. 852 (1970) (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act, Public Law 93-205, 87 Stat. 884 (1973) (codified as amended at 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, Public Law 94-579, 90 Stat. 2743 (1976) (codified as amended at 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). I have concluded that these statutory authorities, alongside specific land management authorities of executive departments and agencies, offer the right framework for managing off-road vehicle use on Federal lands without the additional criteria imposed by Executive Order 11644 and Executive Order 11989. Furthermore, advancements in technology, operations, and land management since these orders were issued support adopting a new framework based on applicable statutory authorities.
Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 require agencies to establish regulations for off-road vehicle use on Federal lands, roads, and trails based on vague criteria aimed at minimizing resource impacts and user conflicts. These criteria, which lack statutory requirement, are vague and challenging to implement, including minimizing wildlife harassment or habitat disruption, reducing conflicts with other recreational uses by considering noise and other factors, and ensuring off-road vehicle use does not harm natural, aesthetic, or scenic values. Such ambiguous criteria often hinder energy and timber production, utility maintenance, cause permit delays, and effectively ban hiking and other recreational activities in remote areas, while offering limited benefits to multiple land use.
Access to Federal lands serves all American citizens. Repealing Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 would allow replacing existing regulations with a system that enhances access, recreational opportunities, and multiple use benefits for the public. This change would also restore balanced land management by removing vague and arbitrary environmental and social standards, ensuring equal access for all public land users.
Sec. 2. Rescinding Certain Prior Executive Orders. Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 are hereby rescinded. The Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the leaders of any other relevant agencies must begin rulemaking to rescind or revise the regulations previously established to implement these Executive Orders.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to available funding.
(c) This order does not create any enforceable right or benefit, substantive or procedural, against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The Department of the Interior shall bear the costs for publishing this order.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 29, 2026.
