House lawmakers have passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. This bipartisan package of outdoor recreation policy is designed to improve outdoor recreation on America’s public lands and waters. Its passage creates opportunity to improve how public lands are managed and enhance outdoor experiences. The EXPLORE Act includes key bills that Outdoor Alliance and its partners have helped develop and refine, alongside lawmakers. The Senate is expected to take up the bill in coming weeks, as it has already introduced bipartisan companion legislation, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA) that has passed out of committee.
“Outdoor Alliance is thrilled to see the House pass the EXPLORE Act, a first-of-its-kind package of outdoor recreation policy that will improve and protect outdoor recreation experiences on public lands and waters,” said Louis Geltman, VP of policy and government relations, Outdoor Alliance. “Millions of Americans get outside each year, and the EXPLORE Act will improve management for climbing and mountain biking, enhance how agencies manage outdoor recreation and invest in parks where they are needed most with the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership.”
Highlights from the policy include:
- Biking on Long Distance Trails Act (BOLT Act), which identifies and creates more long-distance bike trails.
- Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act (PARC Act), to safeguard wilderness climbing.
- Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR Act), for improving recreational permitting for outfitters and guides.
- Codifies FICOR and the Outdoor Recreation Legacy partnership, which funds parks and green spaces in neighborhoods that need it most.
To learn more, visit www.outdooralliance.org.
