Broad Coalition Calls on the Senate to Make History During Great Outdoors Month® and Pass the EXPLORE Act to Expand Access to Outdoor Recreation for All
WASHINGTON – Hundreds of national and local businesses and organizations spanning the entire $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy are calling on the Senate to pass the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, this bipartisan legislation would increase access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities across the country for all activities and all Americans.
The EXPLORE Act passed the House in April by unanimous consent and is poised to stimulate local and national economies, enhance access for Americans—particularly those in underserved communities and with disabilities—to the outdoors, and modernize policies to bolster the recreation businesses that bridge people with nature and support 5 million jobs across America. The bill is similar to the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA), which passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year.
In a letter to the Senate today, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Outdoor Alliance, and a broad coalition of over 250 outdoor recreation businesses and organizations called on Senators to swiftly pass the EXPLORE Act: “During Great Outdoors Month®, advancing the EXPLORE Act in the Senate would represent a landmark achievement, garnering widespread support from the most diverse cross-section of the outdoor sector, including motorized and human-powered recreation, sportsmen and sportswomen, conservationists, economic development advocates, and state and local leaders across the country.”
Jessica Wahl Turner, president of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, said, “Congress is closer than ever to making history and passing the first-ever outdoor recreation-specific bill package. From businesses, associations, and conservation groups, to veteran organizations and state outdoor recreation offices, there is overwhelming support for the EXPLORE Act spanning the entire $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy. This historic legislation aligns with the ever-growing enthusiasm for outdoor activities and addresses the need for our policies and infrastructure to reflect outdoor engagement and support over 5 million jobs. It will allow our industry to excel at what we do best: support healthy people, places, communities, and economies. We are calling on the Senate to pass the EXPLORE Act and show our collective commitment to ensuring outdoor experiences are accessible to everyone now and for future generations.”
“The EXPLORE Act will expand access opportunities to a variety of public land users, streamline permitting processes for outdoor recreation businesses, and modernize outdoor infrastructure,” said Becky Humphries, President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We urge Congress to pass this important legislation into law.”
“The outdoor recreation community strongly supports the bipartisan EXPLORE Act, which will protect and improve sustainable and equitable outdoor recreation opportunities in America. Outdoor Alliance and our partners are grateful for the many congressional champions of the outdoors and hope Congress moves to pass the EXPLORE Act expeditiously,” said Louis Geltman, VP of Policy & Government Relations, Outdoor Alliance.
The EXPLORE Act is sponsored by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and similar legislation, the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA), is sponsored by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY).
The letter sent to the Senate today is below, and a PDF is available here.
Dear Members of the United States Senate:
As businesses and organizations across the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation industry, we strongly urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act this month. This historic legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives by unanimous consent in April, as an almost identical version out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent twice and is supported by a large and diverse coalition of recreation organizations covering all outdoor activities, including industry associations and hundreds of American outdoor businesses that span the outdoor recreation economy.
The EXPLORE Act would support rural economies, communities, and our American quality of life. It streamlines efficiencies and updates processes that are critical to 5 million American jobs and over half of all Americans who get outdoors. This bipartisan legislation would appropriately meet the increased demand for access to the outdoors while also protecting public lands and waters for future use.
During Great Outdoors Month®, advancing the EXPLORE Act in the Senate would represent a landmark achievement, garnering widespread support from the most diverse cross-section of the outdoor sector, including motorized and non-motorized recreation, sportsmen and women, conservationists, economic development advocates, and state and local leaders across the country. Importantly, the legislation focuses on not just the 145 million Americans currently benefiting from outdoor recreation, but the millions without access and ensures equity so everyone can reap the health, social, and environmental benefits that time outside supports.
This EXPLORE Act would revolutionize the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy and pave the way for its continued growth. It will transform how Americans access and enjoy their public lands and waters by streamlining permitting processes to ease burdens on outfitters and guides, improving access to recreational opportunities, ensuring access to green spaces in underserved communities, developing and completing long-range trails, and investing in rural communities.
This bill results from the hard work of Chairman Joe Manchin, Ranking Member John Barrasso, and many U.S. Senators whose bills are included, communities across the nation, and outdoor recreation businesses and stakeholders over many years.
The American outdoor recreation business, conservation, and user community is eager for the Senate to pass this bipartisan and bicameral legislation. We have waited decades for some of these provisions to become law and without this important legislation, antiquated policies remain a risk to our industry and those seeking to experience the outdoors. We strongly urge you to pass this comprehensive piece of legislation that meets the growing demand for outdoor access while also protecting public lands and waters for future generations.
Thank you for your leadership and for supporting a sustainable and growing outdoor recreation economy for the benefit of all Americans.
Sincerely,
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