Trump Strips Away Decades of Public Lands Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Trump signed an executive order revoking decades-old protections that have guided the management of off-highway vehicles on federal public lands since the 1970s. The order directs federal agencies to rescind or revise regulations ensuring motorized vehicle access is balanced with protecting natural, cultural, and historic recreational resources. It could pave the way for expanded use of all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and other off-road vehicles across sensitive national parks, forests, and other public lands.

In response, Athan Manuel, Director of Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program, released the following statement:

"This executive order puts America's wild places at risk by prioritizing motorized vehicle access over the protection of wildlife, clean water, and public lands. For decades, commonsense safeguards have helped land managers balance motorized recreation with conservation and other types of recreation, ensuring that public lands remain healthy and accessible for everyone.

"Eliminating responsible motorized management threatens fragile habitats, increases damage to sensitive landscapes, and undermines the experiences of people seeking quiet recreation in nature. America's public lands belong to all of us, and future generations deserve the chance to experience wild and thriving places. Instead of weakening protections, we should be strengthening our commitment to conserving the natural heritage that makes these lands so special."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.