ORR, RVIA Salute the EXPLORE Act Being Signed into Law – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and RV Industry Association (RVIA), among others, celebrate President Biden signing into law, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act this weekend, a groundbreaking bipartisan achievement that cements the outdoor recreation industry as a cornerstone of America’s economy and quality of life.
“The EXPLORE Act will supercharge the outdoor recreation industry. This transformative new law will help ensure every American has access to world-class outdoor experiences–from their backyards to the backcountry – while supporting the businesses, workers, and communities who make those experiences possible,” said Jessica Wahl Turner, president of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR).
“The EXPLORE Act is the result of the hard work of so many,” she continued, “including sponsors Chairman Joe Manchin, Ranking Member John Barrasso, Chairman Bruce Westerman, and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva, and many Senators and Representatives whose bills are included in the package, communities across the nation, outdoor recreation businesses, local and state elected leaders and stakeholders over many years. We are thankful to the President, our congressional champions and their staff, and all who helped pass this crucial legislation into law and are proud to celebrate this moment with the nation and our ORR members who really led the way.
“With the EXPLORE Act now law, ORR looks forward to working with the new administration, Congress, state governments, Tribes, and local communities to support a cornerstone of our economy, public health, and quality of life, and all who rely on it. We are ready to get to work on implementation and enhancing access to the outdoors, modernizing recreation policies, and driving economic growth across the nation,” Wahl Turner concluded.
“The RV Industry Association, and the wider outdoor recreation industry, is thrilled to see the EXPLORE Act’s passage,” said RVIA President & CEO Craig Kirby. “This is an incredible victory for the countless individuals, communities, and businesses who benefit from accessible, enhanced outdoor spaces. We would like to thank Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Leader Mitch McConnell (R-AL), Chairman Joe Manchin (I-WV), Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03) for their leadership and support for this legislation.”
This incredible legislative achievement underscores the advocacy efforts and dedication of the RVIA along with the ORR and industry partners, Kirby continued, who have helped promote policies that expand access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities. The $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy continues to build upon the success of the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, one of the most significant public lands and waters legislations enacted in our nation’s history.
The bipartisan EXPLORE Act is the first-ever outdoor recreation-specific bill package, and it achieves this without cost to taxpayers. The Act will support local and national economies, enhance access to outdoor spaces for Americans (particularly those in underserved communities), and modernize policies to bolster the recreation businesses that connect people with nature.
The EXPLORE Act will:
- Grow rural jobs;
- Increase access to public lands;
- Ensure more Americans can enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle;
- Provide gateway communities assistance for outdoor recreation businesses;
- Responsibly extend federal land shoulder seasons to spread out demand and create more RV camping opportunities;
- Establish partnership agreements to sustainably modernize campgrounds on federal lands, where appropriate; and
- Bring much-needed broadband/Wi-Fi to front country campgrounds to address safety issues and provide technologies that park visitors expect.
