Outdoor Recreation Roundtable released the following statement in support of Representatives John Curtis’ (UT-03) and Joe Neguse’s (CO-02) Protect America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act.
“Rock climbing is one of the most treasured and exhilarating outdoor activities within the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy. Protecting access to climbing and ensuring that climbing opportunities and wilderness coexist together should be paramount and that is exactly what the PARC Act will do,” said Chris Perkins, Senior Director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “ORR and our members fully support this critical legislation to ensure responsible access to rock climbing in designated wilderness. We applaud Representatives Curtis and Neguse for their leadership and look forward to this and other bills coming together in a recreation package in the coming weeks.”
“Climbing guides rely upon climbing fixed anchors to provide safety-oriented, high-quality climbing experiences for the public in America’s wilderness areas such as the North Cascades, Joshua Tree National Park, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison,” said Matt Wade, Deputy Director of the American Mountain Guides Association. “The Protect America’s Rock Climbing Act will ensure climbing guides are able to continue providing exceptional outdoor experiences for the public at a time when more and more Americans are seeking to experience the enjoyment, challenge, and connection to the natural world that is unique to rock climbing in wilderness areas. The American Mountain Guides Association thanks Representatives John Curtis and Joe Neguse for introducing this important legislation.”
“At REI Co-op, we believe time outside is fundamental to a life well lived,” said Taldi Harrison, Head of Government Affairs at REI Co-op. “The bipartisan Protect America’s Rock Climbing Act protects Wilderness climbing and recognizes the long history of climbing on our public lands. Thanks to the leadership of Representatives Curtis and Neguse, millions of Americans who enjoy rock climbing can continue to safely and sustainably explore our public lands.”
Protect America’s Rock Climbing Act will:
– provide certainty for recreational climbing through national-level protections of sustainable Wilderness climbing practices.
– establish consistency between federal land management agencies.
– ensure that the economic impact of climbing will continue to help support gateway and rural communities