Natasha Blakely, natasha.blakely@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congress voted to pass the bipartisan House Outdoor Recreation package, Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The package, co-sponsored by Reps. Bruce Westerman and Raúl Grijalva, expands or supports efforts to expand outdoor access.
Highlights from the EXPLORE Act include:
- The Outdoors For All Act would authorize the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, which helps economically disadvantaged communities with little to no access to public outdoor recreation spaces.
- The Military and Veterans in Parks Act would promote opportunities and enhance outdoor recreation experiences for veterans and active duty members on federal lands and water by improving disability access, increasing awareness of and access to assistive technology, and including a jobs pilot program for veterans at the Department of the Interior.
- The Every Kid Outdoors program provides all 4th graders and their families free access to over 2,000 federally-managed parks, lands and waters.
- The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act would simplify and streamline permitting processes for guides, outfitters, outdoor leaders and nonprofit organizations. This would reduce barriers that communities and organizations can face in organizing outdoor excursions and facilitating access to nature.
In response, Robert Scott, deputy director of federal policy for Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“Many families struggle to safely or affordably access our public lands. Whether it’s inaccessible trails that people with mobility issues cannot use, a lack of parks within walking distance of a family’s neighborhood, or the increasing costs of planning large trips to visit a national park, all our communities deserve to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation amenities.
"Sierra Club has been advocating for Congress to pass legislation like this outdoor recreation package, which will unlock opportunities for many more families nationwide. It is wonderful to see the House acknowledge the importance of outdoors access by passing the bipartisan EXPLORE Act, and we hope to see the Senate follow suit.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.