House Introduces “EXPLORE” Bipartisan Recreation Policy Package

Today, Congressman Westerman (R-AR) and Congressman Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, a bipartisan package of outdoor recreation policy that could serve as a companion to a similar package in the Senate, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA).

Millions of Americans get outside on public lands and waters each year. Outdoor recreation is growing in popularity, and there are many opportunities to improve how public lands and waters are managed to enhance outdoor experiences. For years, Outdoor Alliance and our partners have been working closely with lawmakers to develop thoughtful policy proposals that could improve outdoor recreation access.

Click to read our testimony on the EXPLORE Act.

The EXPLORE Act, like AORA, aims to improve outdoor recreation on America’s public lands and waters. It includes many key bills that Outdoor Alliance and our partners have helped develop, and we are continuing to work with lawmakers to refine these proposals. You can read our recent letter to House lawmakers on the bill here. Among the highlights, the EXPLORE Act includes:

Biking on Long Distance Trails Act (BOLT)

The BOLT Act will help create more sustainable long-distance mountain biking trails. The bill directs land management agencies to identify existing and potential long-distance bike trails and then work with mountain bikers and other stakeholders to develop and promote these trails. A number of existing trails would benefit from recognition as a long-distance bike trail, including the Ouachita National Recreation Trail in Arkansas and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail that runs from the Canada to Mexico border. You can also read IMBA’s full testimony on the bill here.

Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act (PARC)

Rock climbing in the U.S. has a long history, and climbers have ranked among the most well-known conservationists in the last century. Recent proposals to prohibit fixed anchors in Wilderness have highlighted the need for consistent, common-sense guidance around climbing, especially climbing in Wilderness. Some of the most storied rock climbs in the country are in Wilderness—including El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park—and are threatened by land management agencies' new interpretation of the Wilderness Act. The PARC Act will help safeguard Wilderness climbing, a historic use, by reaffirming the appropriateness of climbing on public lands and directing national-level guidance on placing and maintaining fixed anchors in Wilderness. The PARC Act would solidify Congress’s intent to allow climbing in Wilderness and would help ensure climbers can continue to enjoy sustainable access. You can also read Access Fund’s full testimony on the bill here.

Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR)

The SOAR Act has been a priority for Outdoor Alliance and its member groups for a decade now. The SOAR Act facilitates meaningful outdoor experiences by updating and streamlining recreational permitting for outfitters and guides, including Outdoor Alliance members like The Mountaineers. Special use permitting, the kind that allows guides to take people out to experience public lands for the first time, uses a dated and challenging system. The SOAR Act would simplify and modernize recreation permitting to make the outdoors more accessible.

Makes FICOR Permanent

The EXPLORE Act would make the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR) permanent. FICOR is a council that helps land managers coordinate and focuses on improving access to nature and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.

Makes Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Permanent

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program provides grant funding for urban areas to develop green spaces and outdoor access, with priority given to economically disadvantaged areas and neighborhoods without existing outdoor recreation opportunities. The EXPLORE Act would make ORLP permanent, expanding green space in communities that need it most.

The voices of outdoor recreationists matter tremendously to refine and move this package along. We’ve made it easy to send a message:

What our coalition has to say:

“Outdoor recreation is growing, and Outdoor Alliance is thrilled to see Representative Westerman and Representative Grijalva introduce the EXPLORE Act, a first-of-its-kind package of outdoor recreation policy that would improve and protect outdoor recreation experiences on public lands and waters. 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.” - Louis Geltman, VP of Policy and Government Relations, Outdoor Alliance

“The American Alpine Club is excited to see that climbing management is an important component of the newly introduced EXPLORE Act brought by Representative Westerman and Representative Grijalva. The EXPLORE Act will provide much needed support and guidance to land managers, especially to those charged with the management of climbing areas.” - Byron Harvison, Policy Director, American Alpine Club

“As outdoor recreation grows in popularity, we need more tools to get people outside safely and responsibly. The EXPLORE Act will streamline the federal recreational permitting process to enable more people to experience the outdoors through organized group experiences facilitated by outdoor leaders and educators. The Mountaineers is grateful to Representative Westerman and Representative Grijalva for their leadership to help connect more people with their public lands and waters.” - Tom Vogl, CEO, The Mountaineers

“The Surfrider Foundation believes that access to our outdoors, and particularly our coasts, is a universal right. We are thrilled to see the EXPLORE Act remove barriers of entry for people to recreate and learn on public lands and waters. Surfrider is grateful to Representative Westerman and Representative Grijalva for introducing this policy to protect outdoor recreation experiences for all to enjoy.” - Zach Plopper. Sr. Environmental Director, Surfrider Foundation

“The EXPLORE Act offers a tremendous opportunity to invest in outdoor recreation including mountain biking, access for veterans, developing trails for adaptive users, and so much more. We are grateful to Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva for their bipartisan leadership to introduce this important recreation package. IMBA and our partners will be working to pass the EXPLORE Act, which includes the Biking on Long-Distance Trails bill language, and will continue engaging mountain bike advocates to join us.” - Todd Keller, Director of Government Affairs, International Mountain Bicycling Association

"In recent years, the number of paddlers accessing public lands and waters has been meteoric. The EXPLORE Act addresses long overdue management challenges, and creates specific policy changes that will improve the ability of the paddling community to access high quality outdoor experiences. Our membership consists of thousands of guides, outfitters, instructors, and clubs that will greatly benefit from changes that make it easier for paddlers, especially beginning paddlers, to access guided experiences that have the potential to turn people into life-long paddlers. These paddlers act as stewards of waters that stretch from coast to coast. The American Canoe Association is grateful to Representative Westerman and Representative Grijalva for introducing this important recreation package that will benefit millions of paddlers across the country." - Brett Mayer, Policy & Stewardship Director, American Canoe Association