This month, outdoor recreation advocates doubled down on supporting legislation that would improve outdoor recreation on public lands.
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Huge outdoor recreation bill gets renewed push
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Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Mountain bikers near Gooseberry Mesa and Hurricane Cliffs trails in southern Utah. Bureau of Land Management, Flickr ([link removed])
This month, outdoor recreation advocates and Western governors doubled down ([link removed]) on supporting legislation that would improve outdoor recreation on public lands.
The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act—aptly nicknamed the EXPLORE Act ([link removed]) —includes over a dozen policy measures to support recreation on public lands, from constructing long-distance bike trails and funding green spaces to supporting gateway communities by addressing housing shortages.
The EXPLORE Act passed the House in April, but has not been considered in the Senate yet. Among its supporters is the Western Governors' Association, which wrote a letter ([link removed]) to Senate leadership endorsing the bill, noting that Western states need more support, infrastructure, and tools to manage increasing levels of recreation.
Outdoor Alliance, a group dedicated to conserving public lands and protecting outdoor recreation activities, has also shown support for the bill. Just this month, the organization held nearly 80 meetings about the EXPLORE Act with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill, according to ([link removed]) Outdoor Alliance CEO Adam Cramer.
“The message was crystal clear that a lot of people, a lot of communities, a lot of constituencies want this,” said ([link removed]) Cramer. “And I think that signal was received, and that gives me a lot of confidence that the Senate can figure it out.”
** Quick hits
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Advocates, western governors renew push for outdoor recreation act
WyoFile ([link removed])
BLM environmental review gives go-ahead to proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada
Nevada Current ([link removed])
Ancient earthquakes: Scientists investigate fault line that helped shape Colorado’s Rocky Mountains
KUNC ([link removed])
Why is Utah advertising its public lands lawsuit across the country?
Deseret News ([link removed])
Indigenous people impacted by radiation head to Capitol Hill
Source New Mexico ([link removed])
Why aren’t Tribal nations installing more green energy? Blame ‘white tape.’
Grist ([link removed])
Yellowstone's hot springs kill more people than bears do
Outside ([link removed])
U.S. Forest Service pauses seasonal employee hiring amid budget shortfall
NBC News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” We have a social responsibility to the land to keep it clean, to only take what we need.”
—Virginia Vanderband, Gun Lake Tribal Council member, Grist ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@recreation_gov ([link removed])
Catching fish, not feelings. 🎣 🐻
#DidYouKnow ([link removed]) #KatmaiNationalPark ([link removed]) , established #OnThisDay ([link removed]) in 1918, is home to North America's largest population of protected brown bears? 😮
Not only are these bears skilled fishers, but they are also incredibly entertaining to watch IRL. 😄
If you’re a #Wildlife ([link removed]) lover, then get ready for an adventure unlike any other at Katmai National Park. It’s bucket-list worthy, a bit on the wild side, and well worth your time in learning more about!
Head to the link in bio to get the scoop on this Alaskan destination and get ready to #BringHomeaStory ([link removed]) . ❤️
Pro Tip: Remember to always #RecreateResponsibly ([link removed]) and maintain a safe distance from wildlife in the #GreatOutdoors ([link removed]) .
📍 Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
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