A proposal by Utah Rep. Blake Moore to ensure that outdoor enthusiasts have access information concerning public lands in the West has passed a floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly a year after its introduction, the U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed The Modernizing Access to our Public Land (MAPLand) Act.
Back in May of 2021, Utah Rep. Blake Moore (R-District 1) joined other lawmakers – both Republicans and Democrats — in introducing legislation that would ensure that recreationists have up-to-date digital information about public lands.
That proposal finally passed the full House by a bipartisan vote of 414 to 9 on Mar. 15. The so-called MAPland Act will now go the U.S. Senate for further consideration.
“America is home to some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world and it is essential that we have up-to-date information on how to best access our public lands,” according to Moore.
“The MAPland Act will digitize tens of thousands of records so that fishers, hikers, hunters, bikers and others who spend time enjoying our outdoors will have all the information they need to have great experiences and make fond memories.”
Moore’s staff members say that more than 9.5 million acres of federal land in the West currently lack permanent and legal access points for public use.
Information on these lands is still kept on paper files. Of the Forest Service’s 37,000 easements, only about 5,000 records have been digitized and uploaded to readily accessible electronic databases.
The MAPLand Act, Moore argues, will give federal land management agencies the resources they need to digitize such files for public use.
Specifically, the legislation directs federal land management agencies to digitize and standardize their mapping records. That will not only facilitate the public’s ability to access that land, but also help federal officials to identify public lands with limited or non-existent access points.
The proposed legislation would also require federal agencies to provide public information on seasonal vehicles restrictions on public trails and roads, hunting boundaries and watercraft restrictions.
Following Tuesday’s vote in the House, Moore expressed his gratitude to his bipartisan co-sponsors of the MAPLand Act. They are are Representatives Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Kim Schrier (D-WA).
As the MAPland Act moves on to the Senate, the proposal enjoys the support of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and other outdoor advocacy groups.
“Access is one of the most important issues facing hunters and anglers today,” according to Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Roosevelt Partnership. “The MAPLand Act is a commonsense investment to ensure that all Americans take full advantage of the recreational opportunities of our public lands …
“We appreciate Rep. Moore for his leadership in introducing this bill in the House and our community is eager to help move the MAPLand Act through Congress.”