Trump Signs Executive Order Rescinding Off-Road Vehicle Restrictions on Federal Lands

President Trump signed an executive order on May 29, 2026 rescinding two decades-old restrictions on off-road vehicle (ORV) access to federal public lands — specifically revoking Executive Orders 11644 (Nixon, 1972) and 11989 (Carter, 1977), which had required agencies to close off-road vehicle trails that caused environmental damage. The new order restores expanded recreational access to hundreds of millions of acres of federal land, allowing ORV users, hunters, and energy developers greater access. Environmental groups immediately pledged legal challenges, arguing the order opens sensitive ecosystems to vehicle damage and removes critical protections for endangered species habitats. The action aligns with Trump's broader 'energy dominance' and public lands access agenda.