Outdoor Rec Industry Leaders Respond to EXPLORE Act Passage – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act in a voice vote.
The bill, designed to facilitate permit streamlining, alleviating challenges for outfitters and guides, and enhancing access to outdoor adventures; expand recreation on public lands and waters; guarantee green space access in underserved communities; develop, improve and complete long-range trails; and boost rural economic development advances to the Senate where it complements the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA).
During a Wednesday afternoon ZOOM conference call, several members of outdoor recreation industry panels gave their praise and support to the House for the passage
Congressmen Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas) and Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) pledged their continuing support as the measure makes it way toward the president’s desk.
“Americans’ love of our public lands and spending time outdoors is growing every year,” Grijalva said in a prepared statement. “Our public land agencies must have the tools and resources needed to keep up.”
“There’s not a lot of disagreement when it comes to outdoor recreation so I’m happy we were able to pass this bill with bipartisan support,” Westerman said. “Maybe it can be an example of how we can work together in Congress on other things.”
The bipartisan legislation 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 bridge people with nature.
Members of industry organizations expressed their hopes for advancement of the bill as well.
“For more than 40 years, the RV industry has seen growth,” said RVIA Chairman Craig Kirby. “Turning to RVing is the perfect way to explore the great outdoors…and experience the many physical and mental health benefits of living an active lifestyle.”
Kirby said that along with the growth of RVing has come an established need for modernization of campgrounds to accommodate modern RVs with different electrical needs as well as the need for improved internet connections.
“Campground availability is a pain point for RVers,” he said. “Public lands consistently rank as a top destination, but getting campsites isn’t always easy.”
The EXPLORE Act contains several provisions that the RV industry has long supported and will allow longer camping seasons, which will be beneficial to gateway communities.
It also will provide low-interest loans for creating outdoor businesses in those same communities. And it establishes partnership agreements to sustainably modernize campgrounds on federal land where appropriate.
“Most importantly, this bill serves as a reminder of how the outdoors brings people together from all over the country and both sides of the aisle,” Kirby said.
RV Dealers Association President Phil Ingrassia also issued a statement supporting the bill and touched on some points that are important to RVing.
“The EXPLORE Act is bipartisan legislation that will help ensure that Americans continue to enjoy the benefits of recreating outdoors for generations to come,” Ingrassia said. “The act will improve and modernize recreation infrastructure on public lands to support everyone who enjoys the great outdoors, including the growing number of RV travelers.”
Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a prepared statement, “This legislation not only increases outdoor recreation access for millions of Americans but also mandates vital enhancements to detect and manage aquatic invasive species. On behalf of the recreational boating industry, NMMA is proud to support this important legislation that helps keep our lakes and inland waterways healthy and strengthens boaters’ access to these natural resources.”
Other industry members who spoke in favor of the bill included Amreen Tariq of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable; Scott Schlagel of the Motorcycle Industry Council; Mike Leonard of the Sport Fishing Association; Karina Armino of the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division; Dave McGlashan of Adventure Treks and American Outdoors and Matt Wade of the American Mountain Guides Association.
For more information on the bill and its progress, visit https://recreationroundtable.org/priorities/recreation-package/.
