The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation organizations, applauded Secretary Burgum and the Department of the Interior for taking action to elevate the implementation of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which passed with bipartisan and unanimous support in Congress late last year and was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Yesterday’s Secretarial Order, fittingly signed by Secretary Burgum during Great Outdoors Month, establishes the department’s framework to ensure the law’s successful rollout across public lands and waters nationwide.
Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, was joined by ORR members and partners for the Secretarial Order signing today at the Department of the Interior.
“This showcases the effectiveness of ORR bringing the industry together and the leadership of our members to accomplish real results and solutions for modernizing and improving outdoor access and infrastructure. This is what pragmatic and bipartisan solutions look like, and we again thank the Secretary and the EXPLORE Act sponsors. By laying out a coordinated implementation plan utilizing the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation, the Department is honoring the bipartisan spirit of the EXPLORE Act and ensuring that more Americans will have access to the outdoors in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and economically impactful,” Turner said.
“Some of life’s most treasured memories are forged in the great outdoors through exploration, exercise, and simple enjoyment. These experiences and adventures are essential to our well-being, both physically and mentally,” said Burgum. “Today’s Secretary’s Order will keep America’s recreation industry thriving by generating jobs, supporting local communities, and streamlining safety and access to our national parks.”
“Secretary Burgum’s order implementing the historic, bipartisan EXPLORE Act will expedite plans to expand public access and bolster the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy. The secretarial orders signed today recognize the importance of engaging with local leaders and gateway communities closest to our national parks and public lands. I’d like to thank Secretary Burgum for his work implementing this important legislation, and I look forward to working with him to continue expanding outdoor recreation access across the country,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, sponsor of the EXPLORE Act and in attendance at the signing.
The Secretarial Order directs agencies within the department to collaborate with state, local and tribal governments, as well as private sector partners to implement the entire EXPLORE Act including:
- Breaking down government silos to address pressing recreation challenges and opportunities through the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR).
- Bolstering outdoor recreation and infrastructure by expanding parking at highly-visited destinations, additional trail development, and enhancing broadband connectivity.
- Improving access, including accessibility enhancements for people with disabilities, programs for military service members and veterans, and youth access initiatives.
- Modernizing recreation permitting, including streamlined special recreation permits, online applications, and multi-jurisdictional trip authorizations.
- Increasing stakeholder engagement through meaningful coordination and/or consultation with gateway communities, Indian Tribes, state and local governments, veterans organizations, and other relevant stakeholders as required by the Act and as appropriate.
- Coordinating with the private sector, including appropriate coordination with private outdoor recreation businesses and organizations with relevant expertise to help guide and enhance implementation of the EXPLORE Act’s provisions.
ORR also announced it is hosting the inaugural Outdoor Recreation Technology and Innovation Summit in September in Washington, D.C., to advance the EXPLORE Act’s implementation with Secretary Burgum, the land management agencies and key members of Congress. This first-of-its-kind convening will bring together top outdoor recreation businesses, policymakers, agency officials and technology leaders to spotlight state-of-the-art innovations designed to expand access, information, and participation on America’s public lands and waters, while protecting these places for future generations.
ORR thanks Secretary Burgum for this much needed action and attention to the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy that is facing many headwinds. As implementation proceeds, ORR will continue to engage with federal leaders and stakeholders to support job growth, data modernization, improve visitor experiences and grow the outdoor recreation economy in every corner of the country.
