ROUTES Act

The ROUTES Act requires federal agencies to reopen recreation sites (like trails and campgrounds) on Interior lands (e.g., national parks, wildlife refuges) or National Forest System lands within two years after a natural disaster (such as wildfires or floods) ends. It speeds up repairs by allowing agencies to bypass standard environmental reviews for specific recovery activities, including removing hazard trees, fixing erosion, and restoring drainage. The bill directly affects the public who use these sites and the agencies managing them (Interior and Agriculture Departments), ensuring faster access after disasters. Agencies must also report annually on reopened sites versus those still closed due to disaster damage.