AHS joins 300+ Organizations and Businesses Urge Congress to Pass the EXPLORE ACT

November 13, 2024

United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Members of Congress:

As businesses and organizations across the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy, we strongly urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act by the end of the year. This historic legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives by unanimous consent in April, and an almost identical version passed twice out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee without opposition. The bill is supported by a large and diverse coalition of recreation organizations covering all outdoor activities, including industry associations, conservation groups, local, state and federal officials, and hundreds of American outdoor businesses that span the outdoor recreation economy.

The EXPLORE Act would support rural economies, communities, and our American quality of life. It streamlines efficiencies and updates processes that are critical to 5 million American jobs and over half of all Americans who get outdoors. This bipartisan legislation would respond to the increased demand for access to the outdoors while also protecting public lands and waters for
future use.

We are counting on you to pass the EXPLORE Act by the end of this Congressional session, representing a landmark achievement for the 118th Congress and garnering widespread support from the most diverse coalition ever brought together in the outdoor sector, including motorized
and non-motorized recreation, sportsmen and women, conservationists, economic development advocates, and elected leaders at all levels of government. Importantly, the legislation focuses on not just the 145 million Americans currently benefiting from outdoor recreation, but also the
millions without access, and ensures equity so everyone can reap the health, social, and environmental benefits that time outside supports.

This EXPLORE Act would revolutionize outdoor recreation in all corners of the country and pave the way for the recreation economy’s continued growth. It will transform how Americans access and enjoy their public lands and waters by streamlining permitting processes to ease burdens on outfitters and guides, improving access to recreational opportunities, ensuring access to green spaces in underserved communities, developing and completing long-range trails, and
investing in rural communities.

This bill results from the hard work of sponsors Chairman Joe Manchin, Ranking Member John Barrasso, Chairman Bruce Westerman, and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva, and many U.S. Senators and Representatives whose bills are included, communities across the nation, outdoor recreation businesses, and stakeholders over many years.

The American outdoor recreation business, conservation, and user community is eager for the Senate to pass this bipartisan and bicameral legislation. We have waited decades for some of these provisions to become law and without this important legislation, antiquated policies will remain a risk to our industry and those seeking to experience the outdoors. We strongly urge you
to pass this comprehensive piece of legislation that meets the growing demand for outdoor access while also protecting public lands and waters for future generations.

Thank you for your leadership and for supporting a sustainable and growing outdoor recreation economy for the benefit of all Americans.

Sincerely,

3Rivers Archery
8880 Mountain Guides LLC
AAM's Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours
Access Fund
Adventure Spirit Rock+Ice+Alpine Experiences
Adventure Sports
Aftco
AllTrails
Alpenglow Expeditions
Alpine Ascents International
Alpine Endeavors
Alpine to the Max
America Outdoors Association
American Alpine Institute
American Conservation Coalition Action
American Fly Fishing Trade Association
American Forest Foundation
American Hiking Society
American Honda Motor Co Inc.
American Horse Council Inc
American Land & Leisure
American Mountain Guides Association
American Prairie
American Sportfishing Association
Angler Action Foundation
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Archer's Advantage, LLC
Archery Only Inc,
Archery Trade Association
ArcherySTL
Arizona Archery Enterprises
Arizona State University
Arizona Trail Association
Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation
Association of Marina Industries
Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
Back Country Horsemen of Texas
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Backcountry Pros
Bar 10 Ranch INC
BASS ANGLERS SPORTSMAN SOCIETY (B.A.S.S.)
Bay State Trail Riders Association
Bearcub Outfitters
Bearfoot Theory
Bellfree Contractors
Bellingham Mountain Guides LLC DBA Cascade Mountain Ascents
Bewilder
Bicycle Adventures Inc
Blackbird Mountain Guides
Blue Ridge Horsemans Association
BMW Motorrad USA
BoatUS
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
Bowtreader, LLC
Brunswick Corporation
Buck & Doe's Mercantile
Cabot Archery, LLC
California Mountain Biking Coalition
California Outdoor Recreation Partnership
California Park & Recreation Society
CalWild
Canyon Enterprises, Inc
Cascade Raft and Kayak
Catch-A-Dream Foundation
Central Cascades Recreation Association
Chinook Landscape Architecture
Choose Outdoors
CLEAR TRAILS
CLWW LLC. DBA WET River Trips
COBB Trucks
Coleman PowerSports
Colorado Mountain Bike Association
Colorado Mountain Club
Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
Community Land Shepherds
Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
Corner Archery LLC
Correct Craft
Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS)
D|G Studios Inc.
Dallas Safari Club
Dealernews
Dewclaw Archery
Dixie 4 Wheel Drive
Dude Ranchers' Association
Easton Technical Products, Inc.
Eddyline Kayaks
Embracing the Bear Consulting
Enchanted Circle Trails Association
eOutdoors, Inc./ TackleDirect
EPIC Outdoor Cinema
Equionx Guiding Service
Erin Keeley Consulting
Evergreen Escapes, LLC
ExploreUS
FeraDyne Outdoors
Florida Recreation and Park Association
Fluid Motion
Fly Fishers International
ForeverGreen Trails
Formula Boats
Foundation for America's Public Lands
Foundation Outdoor Group
Franklin Gun Shop, Inc.
Fredericktown Yamaha
Freeflow Outdoors
Friends of Grand Rapids Park
Glacier Guides and Montana Raft
Gold Arrow Camp
Grady-White Boats
Graybird Guiding
Great Lakes Boat Building School
Guy Harvey Foundation
H2O Sportz & Marine
Harley-Davidson of Washington DC
Hastings Exposition and Racing, Inc.
Headhunter Bow Strings
Helfrich River Outfitters
Hillview Motorsports
Hipcamp
Hoyt Archery
Human Potential LLC dba Human Potential Running Series
Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association
Intentional Hiking
International Game Fish Association
International Mountain Bicycling Association
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
Iowa Parks and Recreation Association
Izaak Walton League of America
Jas. D. Easton, Inc.
JB Outdoors, LLC
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics
Kaf Adventures LLC
Kai Creative LLC
Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
Kansas Horse Council
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Kay-Linn Enterprises
Kentucky Association for Economic Development
KTM North America / USA
Kureha America, Inc.
Latino Outdoors
Legacy Trails LLC
Life Expanding Adventure Program
Lost Goat Co
Maine Trails Coalition
Maryland Horse Council
Maxima USA
Metrorock Climbing Centers
Michigan Recreation and Park Association
Motorcycle Industry Council
Mountain Bureau LLC
Mountain Camp
Mountain Shadow Adventures
Mountain Top Missions
Mountains and Canyons, Inc.
Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
National Association of Counties
National Association of Development Organizations
National Bobwhite & Grassland Initiative
National Deer Association
National Forest Recreation Association
National League of Cities
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Park Hospitality Association
National Professional Anglers Association
National Recreation and Park Association
National Ski Areas Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Wild Turkey Federation
National Wildlife Federation
Naventure
NEMO Equipment, Inc.
Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation
Nevada Outdoor School
New England Outdoor Center
New Jersey Recreation and Park Association
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division
New York State Conservation Council
Newell Community Improvement Coalition
North Cascades Mountain Guides
Northland Fishing Tackle
NTR Inc
Oakridge Trails Alliance
OARS
Okuma Fishing Tackle
Oregon Trails Coalition
Orvis
Outdoor Alliance
Outdoor Hospitality Industry
Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Outdoorsy Group
Outfitter
Owner American Corporation
Palouse Land Trust
Paradox Sports
Partnership for the National Trails System
Payette Powder Guides
Pennsylvania Equine Council
Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society
PeopleForBikes
Pheasants Forever
Pineland Farms' VAST (Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training) Program
Pitman Creek Wholesale LLC
Planet Earth Adventures
Pro Alpine Guides
Professional Outfitters and Guides of America
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Progressive Suspension
ProMaster Archery
Property and Environment Research Center (PERC)
Protect Our Winters
Public Land Solutions
Quail Forever
Queen City Harley-Davidson
Ragged Mountain Guides
Rails To Trails Conservancy
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
REI Co-op
Rendezvous River Sports
River & Trail Outfitters
Roam and Board
Rocktown Adventures
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Roeser Livestock and Equipment Rentals
ROW Adventures
Runners for Public Lands
RV Industry Association
RVshare
Safari Club International
Samsel Supply
San Diego Mountain Biking Association
San Luis Valley Great Outdoors
Sappington Pro Outdoor
Sardine Lake Resort
Sassaman Experiential Coaching LLC
Send Bars
Severson Dells Nature Center
Shooters Range LLC
Sierra Club
Sitka Trail Works
Skip Horner Worldwide, Inc.
Smile Mountain Guides LLC
Smith River Alliance
Snowsports Industries America
Social Circle Ace Archery
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals
Solitude River Trips
Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association
Southwest Superbikes, Inc.
Sparkle Travel and RV Services
Special Operations Climbers Coalition
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
Stellar Mountain Guiding LLC
Stone Age Climbing Gym
Surfrider Foundation
Sweet Life Gens
Teaneck Creek Conservancy
Temple Fork Outfitters
The Adventure Hub / Bicycle Adventures
The Climbing School
The Conservation Alliance
The Corps Network
The Great Outdoors Fund
The Mountaineers
The Shop Magazine
The Toro Company
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
THOR Industries Inc
Tiara Yachts
Tim Calhoun Powersports Consulting
Timberline Mountain Guides Inc.
Tony Boone Trails
Trails Inspire, LLC
Trails Unlimited SCorp.
Travel Lane County
Trout Unlimited
Trust for Public Land
TTI-Blakemore Fishing
Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation
Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance
Vance & Hines
Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training (VAST)
VF Corporation
Virginia Horse Council
Virginia Lakes Resort
Visit Sun Valley
Vista Recreation
Vroom Network
Wasatch Mountain Guides
Waterstone Outdoors
Whidbey Island Kayaking
Whitetails Unlimited
Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Management Institute
Willamette Valley Visitors Association
Winnebago Industries
Winter Wildlands Alliance
Wired2Fish
Wisconsin State Horse Council
Woods Cycle Country
World Wide River Expeditions
Wounded Warrior Project
Xperience Communications
Yakima Bait Co.
YMCA of Greater Seattle
Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures
Z-Man Fishing Products, Inc.