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Daines, Zinke Secure Priorities in EXPLORE Act, a Sweeping National Outdoor Recreation Package

Landmark Outdoor Recreation Legislation Set to Boost Public Lands, Local Communities, and Visitor Experience

The U.S. Senate has passed the “Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act,” a monumental package designed to support public lands and enhance the booming outdoor recreation industry, valued at nearly $1.2 trillion. With a unanimous vote on Thursday, this sweeping legislation is now one step closer to becoming law after passing the House earlier this year. Among its key provisions, the EXPLORE Act seeks to streamline permitting processes, allocate funding for parks and green spaces, and modernize visitor experiences through cutting-edge technology.

A Major Victory for Montana

The package includes numerous provisions introduced by Montana’s Republican lawmakers, Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke, who have been longtime advocates for outdoor recreation and the protection of public lands. Daines, soon to be Montana’s senior senator, expressed his pride in the passage of the bill, calling it a victory for the state’s renowned landscapes and outdoor heritage.

“I’m proud to see my bipartisan bills pass the U.S. Senate and head to the president’s desk to be signed into law,” Daines said. “This package includes major wins for Montana’s beautiful public lands, and I’ll always keep fighting for more ways to protect our outdoor way of life.”

The legislation reflects the growing importance of public lands to local economies, with recreation playing a key role in job creation and community well-being across the country.

Glacier National Park parking

Gateway Communities and Recreation Enhancement Act

One of the standout elements of the EXPLORE Act is the Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act, a bill introduced by Daines in the Senate and co-sponsored by Zinke in the House. This measure addresses the challenges faced by communities located near national parks and popular recreation areas, which are seeing increased visitation in recent years. The bill aims to provide support to these gateway communities—such as those surrounding the West Entrance to Glacier National Park in Montana—by tackling issues like housing shortages and increasing pressure on local infrastructure.

“Montanans know how important our gateway communities are, and supporting the areas around our beautiful national parks and public lands is critical to Montana’s economy,” Daines noted in a statement following the bill’s approval by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The bill also seeks to ensure that the National Park Service consults with local communities before implementing changes that could affect access to public lands. This provision is particularly important as local communities voice concerns over restrictions like ticketed entry systems at popular parks.

Addressing the Impact of Ticketed Entry Systems

Rep. Zinke, a former Secretary of the Interior and a resident of Whitefish, Montana, has been outspoken about the negative impacts of ticketed entry systems on local economies. These systems, which require visitors to reserve access to certain areas of national parks in advance, were introduced as a means of controlling overcrowding. However, Zinke and other local advocates argue that such systems have hindered tourism and impacted local businesses reliant on the influx of visitors.

As part of the Gateway Communities bill, the National Park Service will be required to consult with these local communities before enacting such policies. This consultation aims to strike a balance between maintaining the health of national parks and ensuring that local economies continue to thrive.

“Glacier National Park’s ticketed entry system has been a point of contention for many in the Flathead Valley,” Zinke explained. “We need to make sure that national park policies consider the economic needs of local communities as well as the preservation of these parks.”

A Shared Vision for the Future

The passage of the EXPLORE Act represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by increased visitation to national parks and public lands. With a particular focus on gateway communities and the need for collaboration with local stakeholders, the bill promises to offer long-term solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing these areas.

Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl, a key supporter of the bill, highlighted the importance of local involvement in the process. “The bill addresses a lot of the difficulties faced by Flathead County and gateway communities around the U.S. The most important part of the bill is that it requires public land management to consult with locals to address problems of the present and the future,” Brodehl said.

As the legislation heads to the president’s desk, Daines and Zinke’s continued advocacy for Montana’s outdoor spaces is clear. Their efforts in securing provisions that prioritize local communities and visitor experience are helping to shape the future of national parks and public lands for generations to come.

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