On September 19, the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands met to discuss four bipartisan bills aimed at improving access to public lands. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany expressed the committee's commitment to enhancing access to public lands, stating that the bills would lead to greater recreational opportunities on federal lands.
"The Subcommittee on Federal Lands is committed to improving access to our public lands, and these four bipartisan bills help us accomplish that goal," said Chairman Tiffany. "By enhancing coordination among federal land management agencies, reducing bureaucracy, and providing for the long-term planning of two important recreation sites, these commonsense solutions will lead to greater recreational opportunities on our federal lands."
The focus of the hearing revolved around four bills that address both national and local levels of importance. The first bill, H.R. 1657, known as the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2023, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn). This bill aims to facilitate a land exchange in Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest, allowing for the ongoing operation of a lakefront marina by a local small business.
Another bill, H.R. 3107, titled the Improving Outdoor Recreation Coordination Act and introduced by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), seeks to establish the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation as a formal entity. This council would enhance interagency cooperation for outdoor recreation policies.
H.R. 3200, the Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), focuses on increasing recreational opportunities for gateway communities and mandates coordination with local stakeholders before reducing access to national parks. The bill also proposes the creation of a digital National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
Lastly, U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) introduced H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, which aims to authorize the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus to the Administrator of General Services. This transfer would enable the leasing of the campus to the District of Columbia for commercial and residential development while preserving outdoor recreation opportunities and ensuring continued public access to the park.
The Subcommittee on Federal Lands aims to enhance access to public lands through these bipartisan bills that streamline coordination among federal land management agencies, reduce bureaucracy, and promote long-term planning for key recreation sites. These efforts ultimately seek to expand recreational opportunities on federal lands.
