Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on four bills focused on expanding recreation opportunities and access across America. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement in response:

"The Subcommittee on Federal Lands is committed to improving access to our public lands, and these four bipartisan bills help us accomplish that goal. 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."

Background

Today's hearing centered on four bills expanding recreational access, both at a national and a local level. The bills on the agenda would insure lake access for recreationalists in Minnesota, prevent reductions in access to federal lands near gateway communities, strengthen interagency collaboration on outdoor recreation policies, and allow for the revitalization of recreation opportunities in and around the RFK Stadium campus in Washington, D.C.

H.R. 1657, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), directs the Forest Service to exchange land in the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota for land owned by Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC., allowing the continued use of a lakefront marina, a popular outdoor recreation area, by a local small business.

H.R. 3107, the Improving Outdoor Recreation Coordination Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), would codify the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation.

H.R. 3200, the Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enhance recreational opportunities for gateway communities, ensure coordination with local stakeholders before reducing access to national parks, and establish a digital National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), would amend the District of Columbia Stadium Act of 1957 to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus to the Administrator of General Services and the leasing of the Campus to the District of Columbia for purposes which include commercial and residential development, while ensuring continued outdoor recreation uses and park access.