Conservation Groups Speak Out After Trump Repeals Off-Road Vehicle Regulations on Public Land
Conservation groups said the move weakens safeguards that have guided motorized use on federal lands since the 1970s.
- On Friday, the White House announced President Donald Trump repealed two Executive Orders, calling the regulations 'counterproductive and excessive' restrictions on off-road vehicle use on public land.
- President Richard Nixon issued the initial Executive Order in 1972, with President Jimmy Carter adding another in 1977 to require land managers to minimize damage to soil, vegetation, and wildlife habitats on public lands.
- Conservation groups, including the Sierra Club, Wild Montana, and the Idaho Conservation League, spoke out Tuesday against the repeal, arguing the previous guidelines protected wildlife, streams, and habitat in Western states.
- Trump claimed the repealed Executive Order rules created 'vague, subjective criteria' that blocked energy production and limited access. He stated the change would restore balanced land management by eliminating arbitrary standards.
- Hilary Eisen of Wild Montana and John Robison of the Idaho Conservation League warned the policy change could increase conflict and degrade natural resources. They contend consistent management is necessary to preserve safe experiences for all Recreationists.
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Idaho Capital Sun
Conservation groups speak out after Trump repeals off-road vehicle regulations on public land
A sign welcomes visitors to Bureau of Land Management land near Cedar City, Utah. (File photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)Some conservation groups in Idaho and other Western states spoke out Tuesday after President Donald Trump recently repealed executive orders that govern off-road vehicles and over-snow vehicles on public land. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Trump said the executive orders were outdated and overly restrict…
Trump lifts restrictions on off-road vehicles on public lands
Washington • President Donald Trump on Friday rescinded two decades-old executive orders that restricted off-road vehicles on public lands, in a move that could lift prohibitions on their use in most national parks.
The Trump Administration Will Open More Federal Lands to Off-Road Vehicles. Backcountry Hunters Warn of Overcrowding
Key Takeaways Trump lifts off-road vehicle restrictions. A new executive order revokes 50-year-old protections, opening more federal lands to off-road vehicles. Conservation vs. access debate. Conservation groups oppose the move, while off-roading advocates see it as a win for public-land access. Environmental impact. OHV restrictions were originally put in place since OHV use is linked to soil eros…
Trump Goes All In on OHV Use on Public Lands, Repeals Restrictions
When it comes to recreational activities people seek to engage in on public lands, off-highway vehicles (OHVs) are one of the most controversial. Proponents see it as a valid recreational use on equal footing with hiking or hunting, while opponents worry about the potential impacts to the environment and wildlife. Those in support of OHV use got a huge endorsement from the Trump Administration on May 29. In an executive order, the President resc…
Trump removes rules against off-road vehicles on public lands
Trump removes rules against off-road vehicles on public lands Christine McLaren Tue, 06/02/2026 - 09:00 Primary Image Primary Image Caption Buffalo Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming After nearly two decades of executive orders restricting off-road vehicles on public lands, President Donald Trump has lifted the orders — a move that could allow their use in most national parks. The Seattle Times reports: "The first executive order, signed by P…
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