Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Bipartisan Law She Championed to Expand Rock Climbing and Biking in Nevada and U.S.

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Above (L to R): NDOR Deputy Administrator Elisabeth Johnson, famous rock climber Alex Honnold, Rep. Susie Lee, and Sierra Club representative Cynthia Regidor. 

LAS VEGAS – Today, at the Red Rock Canyon Overlook, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) held a press conference to announce and celebrate the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act being signed into law. Lee helped lead the bipartisan legislation which included two bills she championed to expand recreational climbing and biking opportunities.

Nevada has one of the fastest growing outdoor recreation economies in the nation and Red Rock Canyon welcomes about 3 million visitors annually.

Lee-led Provisions in the Bipartisan EXPLORE Act to Expand Outdoor Recreation in Nevada Include:

• The Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act which clarifies Congress’ intent for climbing to be an allowable and compatible activity on wilderness designations by preventing land management agencies from prohibiting fixed anchors for climbing as illegal installations. Before this law, the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service had proposals on the table to classify fixed anchors as prohibited installations by default.
• The Biking On Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act which identifies potential new long-distance bike trails and will expand mapping resources for long-distance bikers. It directs DOI and the Forest Service to work with the public to identify, map, and promote at least 10 existing long-distance bike trails — as well as identify at least 10 new areas where there is opportunity to develop or complete such trails.

Nevada Outdoor Recreation Impact:

• Nevada’s outdoor recreation industry accounts for $8.1 billion in GDP annually, ranking the state 10th in the nation. 
• In Nevada, outdoor recreation contributes to over 58,000 direct jobs and is ranked second in the nation with an annual job growth of 5.8%.
• There are 8 million rock climbers in America, and that creates $10.2 billion dollars for the U.S. economy each year.
• The International Mountain Biking Association estimates that mountain biking contributes $133 billion dollars to the U.S. economy annually.

“Nevada is home to some of the world’s most incredible public lands and opportunities for biking, climbing, and hiking – including here at Red Rock Canyon,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Outdoor recreation is something that everyone can get behind. I’m excited that we were able to get my bipartisan legislation signed into law to expand access for families across Nevada and the U.S.!”

Congresswoman Lee was joined by world-famous rock climber and Las Vegas resident Alex Honnold, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation Deputy Administrator Elisabeth Johnson, and Cynthia Regidor who leads Las Vegas Inspiring Connections Outdoors which is a Sierra Club program that works to get youth outside.

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