Legislation Advances to Strengthen the Outdoor Recreation Economy

Two important pieces of legislation that strengthen the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy have advanced through Congressional Committees.

The Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) act, introduced by Reps. Westerman (R-AR) and Huffman (D-CA), has been included in 2024 authorization of the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA). WRDA is authorized every two years and includes all programs and projects under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).

The inclusion of the LAKES Act in WRDA will help ensure that public recreation access offered by the Corps is maintained at a level adequate to support the level of visitation that these sites experience every year. Corps managed recreation sites are the second-most visited public land areas every year, following sites managed by the Park Service.

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, introduced by Reps. Westerman (R-AR) and Grijalva (D-AZ), the Chairman and Ranking Member of House Natural Resources Committee, respectively, recently passed the House of Representatives. This bill would significantly increase access at hundreds of public land facilities across the country, making it easier for Americans everywhere to get outdoors.

The next step in passing the Senate will likely come as an inclusion via amendment, offered by Sen. Heinrich (D-NM), to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2024. NDAA is passed every year and authorizes all programs relating to veterans or defense. NDAA often works as a vehicle for passage for many different bills at the end of each calendar year.