January 2025 Edition | Volume 79, Issue 1
Published since 1946
President Biden Signs EXPLORE Act and ACE Act Reauthorization
At the end of the 118th Congress, two bills were passed and signed into law that include provisions relevant to conservation and outdoor recreation. The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act is a bipartisan package of public lands recreation bills led by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Raul Grijalva. According to the Committee, the bill would:
- Modernize technology to improve visitor experiences, such as increasing broadband connectivity at recreation sites, creating digital recreation passes, and creating new pilot programs to monitor visitation.
- Streamline the permitting process and reduces burdensome fees for small businesses that depend on reliable access to public lands.
- Reduce park overcrowding by creating new and innovative models to encourage public recreation in less-traveled areas.
- Support gateway communities by addressing housing shortages, parking and infrastructure issues, and challenges due to overcrowding.
- Transform accessibility for individuals with disabilities by creating new accessible trails and recreation opportunities across our public lands.
In addition, the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act Reauthorization Act was signed into law on January 2. Included in the bill was reauthorization for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act, and several Chesapeake Bay restoration programs.
“America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act impacts many of North America’s foundational conservation programs,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “From national initiatives like NAWCA to regional partnerships like the Chesapeake Bay Program, this bill will strengthen our ability to conserve wetlands and other waterfowl habitat in all 50 states. Its signing into law indicates a strong finish for the 118th Congress, and we thank Reps. Wittman and Thompson and Sens. Carper and Capito for their leadership. We look forward to carrying this bipartisan momentum for conservation into the new year.”