President Trump has rescinded two longstanding executive orders that had restricted the use of off-road vehicles on federal lands. This decision may pave the way for these vehicles to be used in most national parks.

The first of these orders was enacted by President Richard M. Nixon in 1972. It set strict criteria for the operation of off-road vehicles on federal lands, aiming to minimize the impact on the environment. The second order, signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977, allowed the government to halt off-road driving if ecological damage was occurring.

These orders included various vehicles designed for off-road travel on surfaces like dirt, sand, gravel, mud, rocks, and snow. This encompassed all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles.

The White House described both executive orders as “outdated and burdensome” in a fact sheet. They argued that modern technologies could detect off-road vehicle tracks in sensitive ecosystems more effectively.

The document stated, “President Trump believes the American people should be able to access and enjoy their public lands without being burdened by unnecessary and outdated regulations.”

This action aligns with the Trump administration’s focus on recreational use, oil and gas drilling, logging, and mining on public lands and waters nationwide. In contrast, the Biden administration had emphasized conservation and the development of renewable energy.