RATIONING PUBLIC LANDS

Visitation at national parks and other public lands has surged to record levels, a trend intensified in many places by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the popularity of public lands has led to congestion, a degraded outdoor experience, and damage to natural resources. In response, land managers have adopted capacity limits, reservation requirements, and other access restrictions. The growing restrictions on access to public lands raise serious concerns. They threaten individual benefits that public lands generate for physical and mental health, as well as collective benefits to cultural identity and national unity. Restrictions on access often have disparate impacts on those who are economically disadvantaged or lack technological savvy. In addition, land managers sometimes institute these restrictions with little or no notice or opportunity for public input. Although public land managers have various tools to accommodate high visitation, they sometimes have to ration access to public lands. Closures and other restrictions may be necessary to ensure public safety, maintain the quality of visitor experiences, or protect wildlife and other resources. This Article explores guidelines to assist land managers as they make difficult decisions about the restriction and allocation of access to public lands.