Tester Champions Bill to Promote Public Access to Public Lands

Senator’s Recreation Not Red-Tape Act Will Boost Outdoor Recreation Across Montana

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester is sponsoring the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act to increase public access to outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands.

“Montana is home to world-class public lands that support our state’s economy and good-paying jobs, and Washington bureaucracy should never hinder our booming businesses,” Tester said. “This bill will make government work better for folks who want to hunt, hike, and explore our public lands.”

Tester’s legislation opens new opportunities for outdoor recreation and modernizes aspects of the permitting process. Tester’s bill would:

• Allow land management agencies to expand recreational use of seasonal recreational lands during the offseason.
• Make special recreation permit applications for guides and outfitters available online
• Allow the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to be available online.
• Create outdoor recreation metrics for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to evaluate the performance of land managers.
• Encourage the Armed Forces to provide information on outdoor recreation to servicemembers and veterans, and strongly encourage land management agencies to hire veterans.

Tester’s bill is supported by members of the outdoor recreation community.

“Senator Tester has long been a champion for public lands, and Outdoor Alliance and the human powered recreation community greatly appreciate his support for innovative solutions like Recreation Not Red-Tape that protect more landscapes for outdoor recreation,” said Louis Geltman with the Outdoor Alliance.

“Public access opportunities, or the lack thereof, have a huge impact on opportunities for sportsmen and women to spend time afield,” said Land Tawney President & CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “This legislation is a win for our community. Senator Tester’s tireless advocacy on behalf of our public lands and waters – and for those of us enjoy hunting and fishing on them – deserves our heartfelt thanks.”