June 2025

Senator Lee Withdraws Public Lands Sales Provision from Senate’s Budget Reconciliation Bill

On June 14, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s budget reconciliation bill outlined more than 250 million acres that could be sold to private businesses. This included a measure crafted by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), which called for the sale of up to 3.3 million acres of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming to help fund the administration’s tax cut package.

Sen. Lee, who chairs the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee, drafted the measure shortly after the House of Representatives removed a smaller but similar provision from its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill legislation. This amendment, sponsored by GOP Reps. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.-2) and Celeste Maloy (R-Utah-2) would have permitted the sale of public lands in four Nevada counties and one in Utah, including lands near Zion National Park.

The Senate parliamentarian ruled  Sen. Lee’s proposal to sell millions of acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land across up to 11 states did not meet the requirements of the reconciliation bill. In response, Sen. Lee announced he would revise his plan to restrict sales to lands within five miles of a population center and to sell only Bureau of Land Management land, excluding Forest Service land he had included in the initial draft. Following widespread opposition and concern about the lack of public input and transparency, Sen. Lee withdrew his proposal to sell off millions of acres of federal public lands on June 28th.  Many ARRA members, lawmakers- including members of the Congressional Western Caucus–  industry groups and the public expressed concern of the amount of land and the process by which the amendment was following.

This is another landmark victory for the outdoor recreation community and ARRA thanks the members who took action by writing to their senators, urging them to oppose the Senate’s Public Lands Sell-Off.  While we acknowledge there may be limited instances where federal land sales make sense to address checkerboard parcels and/or local use needs, those sales must include transparency, public input and review, and result in no net loss of recreational lands.  Proceeds from the sales must also be put back into recreational lands – not sent to the general treasury.

 

(Photo credit: Don Amador)

Stakeholders Praise Sierra Trail Connectivity Project

During June, there are numerous ways to celebrate Great Outdoors Month as millions of Americans participate in some of their favorite recreational activities with family and friends.  On occasion, recreation groups and agency staff come together to honor the partnerships and hard work that go into managing and maintaining high-quality trails and other facilities for public use.

It was one of those private/public collaborative recreation endeavors that inspired the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Commission to schedule a field trip to the Truckee Ranger District on the Tahoe National Forest to learn about the East Zone Connectivity and Restoration Project.

On June 11, nearly 50 people attended a day-long field trip where Tahoe line officers and recreation leads highlighted their partnerships with the Truckee Dirt Riders, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, other volunteer groups, businesses and community stakeholders.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project stated the key objectives were to replace fixed wet weather seasonal closures in the Verdi Ridge area with a wet weather operating plan,  construct 71 miles of motorized single track trail, reroute approximately 2 miles of existing roads and trails and make changes to the National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) including designating approximately 35.5 miles of existing non-motorized trails as open for Class 1 E-bikes.

The project also added approximately 1.7 miles of existing unauthorized routes to the NFTS, converted 0.7 miles of road to trail, changed maintenance levels on approximately 3.7 miles of road, and decommissioned nine road segments (approximately 5.3 miles) and 41 miles of unauthorized user-created roads and trails. The EA stated it would improve or develop 11 staging areas for recreation, install or improve gates, boulders, barriers and signage, construct one bridge, and treat 40 acres of invasive plant infestations.

All the actions mentioned above were intended to improve trails, accommodate current and expected trail use, provide for public safety and recreational experiences, and protect forest resources.

At the final tour stop, several of the project partners acknowledged the vital role that grants and donations have played in making this project a reality.  A short list of those supporters includes the California OHMVR Division, Nevada OHV Program, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the National Forest Foundation, and the Santa Cruz Bicycles Pay Dirt Fund. Truly, the “can-do” attitude displayed by Forest Service staff and partners was inspiring and gives us all hope that other collaborative trail projects are possible to ensure that future generations have access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities.

 

USDA Rescinds 2001 Roadless Rule

On June 23, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced at the Western Governors’ Association meeting in New Mexico that the USDA is repealing the 2001 Roadless Rule. This outdated regulation conflicts with Congress’s intentions and runs counter to the USDA Forest Service’s mission to preserve the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands.

“This week’s decision by Secretary Rollins is a massive win for restoring the health and resiliency of our federal forests, preventing catastrophic wildfire, and restoring access for the public and wildland firefighters, said Bruce Westerman, chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. It acknowledges that we cannot lock up our forests and throw away the key – we need to actively manage and conserve our forests for cleaner air and water, better wildlife habitat and safer communities. I thank Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration for repealing burdensome, overreaching federal regulations like this one,” added Westerman.

The rule blocked road construction and timber harvesting on about 59 million acres of National Forest System land. These restrictions significantly limited the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to perform responsible management and timber production, and they also hindered access for firefighters battling wildland fires. According to the USDA, 28 million acres of inventoried roadless areas are classified as being at high or very high risk of wildfire.

“While OHV routes were originally prohibited in the early stages of the Clinton Roadless Rule Initiative, recreation groups were able to ensure that OHV access was allowed on designated motorized trails in the final Rule and in subsequent travel management decisions,” said Duane Taylor, director of Safe and Responsible Use Programs, the Motorcycle Industry Council. “This access victory was significant since some of the most highly valued and scenic motorized trails exist in National Forest roadless areas. I hope that this effort will lead to agency approval of new OHV trail construction or reconstruction, providing important connectivity between route networks, creating looped opportunities, and increasing access for critical pre- and post-wildfire mitigation and recovery work. Many of our important recreation areas have been devastated by mega-fires in the Intermountain West over the last 15 years.  Actively managing and protecting these areas for future recreation and resource values should be our highest priority,” added Taylor.

 

The US Senate Officially Designates June 2025 as Great Outdoors Month

On June 18, S. Res. 279, designating June as “Great Outdoors Month,” passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution was introduced by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.)

Great Outdoors Month originated as Great Outdoors Week under President Clinton in 1998. The primary objective was to increase employment and the country’s GDP by encouraging people to enjoy and appreciate nature.

The week went on to become so popular that, for the next few decades, starting with President Bush’s administration and continuing through those of President Obama and President Trump, Great Outdoors Week was expanded to the entire month of June.

“From being out on the Great Lakes to hiking through our amazing state and national parks, there’s nothing like a Michigan summer,” said Peters. That’s why, every year, both Michiganders and visitors travel the state to explore our remarkable lakes and landscapes. I’m proud that the Senate passed this resolution, and I’ll keep fighting to protect our precious natural resources so all Americans can enjoy our great outdoors.”

In 2016, the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act was enacted in order to study America’s outdoor recreation economy. According to the latest data from the BEA Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, outdoor recreation generated $1.2 trillion in economic output (2.3% of GDP), comprising 3.1% of U.S. employees and 5 million jobs in 2023.

Great Outdoors Month encourages outdoor enthusiasts to explore all that nature has to offer. Celebrated nationwide, it honors America’s diverse landscapes, including thick forests, a vast trail system for motorized and no-motorized recreation, flowing rivers, tranquil lakes, rugged mountains and beyond. Spending time outdoors offers a refreshing mental and physical revitalization, helping us reconnect with nature and recharge.

This year’s events included:

  • National Go RVing Day – coordinated by Go RVing (June 14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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