WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) voted unanimously to pass bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) that will enhance online access to the nation’s outdoor recreational opportunities. The bill, the Modernizing Access to our Public Land (MAPLand) Act, will digitize public land mapping records to increase outdoor recreation and improve hunting and fishing access for sportsmen and women.

Along with the MAPLand Act, four additional priority bills of which Senator Risch is a cosponsor passed the committee. 

“I thank Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso and my fellow colleagues for their support of this commonsense legislation,” said Risch. “Easy access to public land records is long overdue. The MAPLand Act will allow hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen and women to fully enjoy Idaho’s vast public lands well into the future.”

More about the bills:

S. 904, the Modernizing Access to our Public Land (MAPLand) Act: Will digitize public land mapping records to increase outdoor recreation and improve hunting and fishing access for sportsmen and women.

S. 172: Will authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in D.C. to honor extraordinary acts of valor displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.

S. 535, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act: Will authorize the location of a memorial on the National Mall to honor the service members who served in active duty in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

S. 1964, Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development (SHRED) Act: Will ensure a majority of annual fees paid for ski area permitting are retained locally and used to support recreation within the National Forest.  

H.R. 4300, Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act: Will provide free, lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to any veteran, member of the Armed Forces, their families, and Gold Star Families.

# # #