All across America, our public lands are under attack.
Developers want more high-priced homes that no one can afford. Mineral, gas, and oil entities want those lands to further enrich themselves. And a select few federal employees, czars, and un-elected robber barons hate that the federal government spends even a penny of our tax dollars on something that's collectively predominantly owned by the working class. I'm looking at you, Elon.
But for the most part, public land advocates have fought those forces back. They've won the battles, though they've been fought tooth and nail, and with bipartisan voter support. And those same advocates can chalk up another win as the Senate finally passed the Explore Act, a major boon to public land access and all those who enjoy wild places.
That's excellent news.
The Explore Act has a simple tagline, "To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access to, Federal public land, and for other purposes." And in its text, it does just that, and not just for a single group, but damn near everyone who loves recreating on our nation's public lands.
Within its text, there are provisions to expand biking trails, protect wilderness rock climbing, simplify and improve permitting for guides and outfitters, solidify past language to build out parks and green spaces, better access for disabled veterans, along with enhancing equine therapy programs for those same veterans, and support affordable housing within "gateway" areas to those parks and public lands where housing has ballooned.
Furthermore, the Explore Act establishes that the Forest Service will denote new shooting ranges on the land for public use on each parcel, the restoration of a number of overnight and day-use campsites, provide up-to-date motorized and non-motorized maps of public lands, as well as expanding those areas of both, and allows hunters to now donate an animal's hide, horns, or antlers. And that's just the tip of all of this. Honestly, I could probably write a series just about how impactful the Explore Act will be.
If you want, you can read the full text here.
When it first passed the House, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers' Kaden McArthur, the group's Government Relations Manager, stated, "By passing the EXPLORE Act, the House of Representatives has demonstrated the overwhelming support across the United States for improving outdoor recreation opportunities. This comprehensive legislation will modernize outdoor recreation management, make our public lands and waters more accessible, and provide significant benefits for hunters and anglers as we pursue our sporting traditions."
Again, this is absolutely something everyone should celebrate, as when we come together and fight for our public lands—not fighting amongst ourselves—we all win. The Act now is headed to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.
