Contact Your Federal Lawmakers, Co-Sponsor Trails Bills!Even after passing the landmark “Great American Outdoors Act” last year, trails legislation continues to gain traction in Congress. On April 21, Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Shelley Moore-Capito (R-WV), introduced the “Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act” (S. 1229). This legislation would streamline the recreation permitting process. Importantly, it would also consolidate permits for a single trip on public lands managed by multiple agencies. On the House side, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) has introduced a companion bill, H.R. 3670.
On May 27, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the “Recreation Not Red-Tape Act” (S. 1874). Like the “SOAR Act,” this bill would streamline the recreation permitting process. It would also promote voluntarism to address backlog trail maintenance projects. Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) has introduced a companion bill, H.R. 3527.
