The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA). Announced on November 2, 2026, in Washington, D.C., the agreement between the public and private sectors provides a framework for existing land management to become more consistent, scalable and measurable nationally, while supporting practical coordination at the state and field-office level.

Formalizing the relationship is intended to advance work already underway to connect national discussions with local efforts, improve early communication with proponents, expand education and stewardship opportunities, and establish tangible results that can be reviewed over time.

What the leaders said

"Public land stewardship works best when we bring people to the table early and focus on solutions," said Steve Pearce, BLM Director. "This agreement strengthens our partnership with ORBA and gives us a better way of working together. By collaborating with ORBA earlier and more consistently, we can improve access and give our field offices and local communities the tools they need to support responsible recreation on America's public lands."

"ORBA is thrilled for the opportunity to engage formally with our partners at the Department of the Interior and BLM for a shared mission to better understand and promote responsible recreation and stewardship of public lands," said Laura Butcher, ORBA's legislative director. "Our public lands are a national treasure, and we all benefit when all stakeholders pulling in the same direction in service of preserving access for all."

Scope of the MOU

The MOU is designed to support responsible outdoor recreation, public lands stewardship, workforce awareness, recreation infrastructure improvements, and data-driven evaluation of the economic contributions associated with motorized recreation on public lands. Its key objectives cover:

Workforce awareness and career outreach
Stewardship and public lands projects
Recreation opportunity coordination
Economic impact and research collaboration

Among the immediate initiatives is the development of a practical "Do I Need a Permit?" session, with the partners pursuing opportunities to offer it across the Overland Expo series of enthusiast events. ORBA will also provide practical support and basic education for Title III and Special Recreation Permits, Paleontological Resource Use Permits, and Scientific Research Permits and Authorization.

The agreement is expected to give these efforts a more consistent framework, helping translate national-level conversations into practical work with BLM offices, industry partners, permittees and recreation communities, while giving both organizations clearer opportunities to identify where coordination is useful and productive.

No federal funding attached

No federal funding is tied to the MOU, which ORBA presents as an example of how public-private partnerships can help meet national challenges through collaboration, communication and resource sharing. The agreement does not change BLM's permitting authority or ORBA's ability to advocate independently. Instead, it provides a clearer structure for the areas where coordination between the two can be productive.

Building on existing work

While the formal relationship is new, the Department of the Interior and BLM are already familiar with ORBA, which has worked with both agencies at the national level, coordinating directly with state and field offices and helping businesses and permit proponents navigate issues on the ground.

In June, ORBA participated in meetings in Washington, D.C., with the White House, the Department of the Interior, BLM, congressional offices and House Natural Resources Committee staff, focused on travel management, motorized access and other public lands issues.

Much of the work envisioned in the MOU is already underway. ORBA has a well-established working relationship with BLM's Nevada and California offices, including years of involvement in special recreation permitting and education, economic impact work, and technical meetings. Earlier this year the association also released the first-ever study of off-roading's economic impact on Moab.

About ORBA

The Off-Road Business Association, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), is a national advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and expanding motorized recreational access while advancing the interests of the off-road industry through legislative advocacy, strategic partnerships and data-driven initiatives. Working with stakeholders, policymakers and land managers, ORBA champions responsible recreation, balanced land management, and common-sense policies that protect public land access and the businesses that depend on it.

Tagged: Department of the Interior

ORBA Signs Landmark Five-Year Agreement with BLM on Public Lands Stewardship and Recreation