Ahead Of Historic Vote In The House, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Leads Letter Urging Passage Of The EXPLORE Act

Ahead of a vote on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable led a letter with over 30 national outdoor recreation trade associations urging the passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. This legislation has strong bipartisan and bicameral support and has been endorsed by virtually every outdoor recreation industry organization, hundreds of outdoor businesses, and conservation groups. ORR also plans to host a virtual press conference after the bill goes before the full House; stay tuned for more details to come.

“On behalf of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Association (ORR), the over 30 national outdoor recreation trade associations, and all who benefit from time outside, we appreciate your strong support for the recreation economy and stand with you in urging the passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act,” the letter to House leaders stated.

The EXPLORE Act, introduced by U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, is poised to stimulate local and national economies, enhance access for Americans—particularly those in underserved communities—to green spaces, and modernize policies to bolster the recreation businesses that connect people with nature. The bill complements the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA) introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and John Barrasso (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The letter continued, “The EXPLORE Act will create more access to outdoor recreation, provide a better experience for visitors to public lands and waters, modernize the permitting process for guides and outfitters, create new accessible trails for veterans and the disability community, expand the Every Kids Outdoors Act, codify the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program (ORLP), identify new potential long distance bike trails, create more health and wellness opportunities including for mental health, and a better business environment to create more jobs. This transformative legislation is a win-win-win for businesses, our cherished lands and waters, and Democrats and Republicans alike, all while supporting rural economies, communities, and our American quality of life.”