The RESERVE Federal Land Act would require the Secretary of the Interior, working with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Army Corps of Engineers), to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study federal reservation systems used for recreational activities on federal lands. The study would review the history and evolution of these systems (such as Recreation.gov), analyze benefits and challenges, assess data needs, examine barriers to access for diverse communities, and consider best practices in system design, fee structures, transparency, and technology. A formal NAS report outlining findings and recommendations would be due within 18 months of the agreement. This is a study-focused bill with no direct funding or immediate changes to reservation practices, but it could shape future policy and practice across multiple federal land management agencies.
Key Points
- 1Broad study mandate: The NAS will evaluate federal reservation systems across (and within) major federal land categories, including public lands, National Forests, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and Corps of Engineers sites.
- 2Comprehensive review scope: The study will examine the history and development of reservation platforms (e.g., recreation.gov), data and feedback informing their design, and scientific literature on their effectiveness and user preferences.
- 3Data and access: The NAS will assess what data exist or are needed to understand demand, how to balance visitor management with conservation, and whether systems create barriers for certain communities or international users.
- 4Design and operations: The NAS will explore best practices for system design, booking windows, equitable access, fee structures, transparency of fees, odds of securing reservations, and how data sharing can inform decision-making and improve outcomes.
- 5Technology and resilience: The study will consider emerging technologies (geofencing, bots, third-party resellers) and cybersecurity, plus strategies to reduce no-shows and optimize site use during high-demand periods.
- 6Deliverable: An 18-month-delivery NAS report to Congress with concrete findings and recommendations, guiding future improvements in federal reservation systems.