WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) advanced U.S. Senator John Barrasso’s (R-WY) America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022. This bipartisan recreation package includes key Wyoming outdoor recreation priorities. The legislation passed the committee unanimously. 

The package includes Barrasso’s Federal Interior Land Media (FILM) Act and his Cape and Antler Preservation Enhancement (CAPE) Act. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) is a cosponsor of both bills. It also includes Barrasso’s Outdoor Recreation Act. 

“Key priorities for Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy are moving forward,” said Barrasso. “Our bipartisan legislation is a monumental achievement for all who enjoy our public lands and shared natural resources. It will increase access to the outdoors, streamline and simplify agency processes, and improve America’s recreation infrastructure. It will also modernize film and photography permitting on public lands. Finally, it will incentivize volunteers to help with efforts to conserve Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Grand Teton National Park. I will continue to work to get this important package passed by the full Senate and signed into law.” 

“Nearly half of land in Wyoming is federal public land. Legislation like the CAPE Act and the FILM Act introduced by Senator Barrasso gives people in Wyoming more freedom as they recreate on the lands that are right in their backyard. I am proud to join Senator Barrasso on these two pieces of legislation,” said Lummis. 

“Wyoming is proud of the world-class outdoor recreation opportunities we have for our citizens and visitors – they improve the quality of life in our state and enhance the economy.  We applaud the work being done on this federal legislation to expand and enhance outdoor recreation through increased collaboration between state, local and federal land managers,” said Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. 

“Wyoming is an outdoor recreation state, the citizens and visitors in Wyoming take pleasure in their ability to access high quality opportunities to enjoy our great outdoors. We support this legislation and its ability to increase coordination between the federal government and the state and we are excited to work with them to deliver these high quality outdoor recreation outcomes to the public,” said Darin Westby, director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. 

“By giving outfitters and public land agencies new tools and resources to improve access and the permitting process, we can all focus on what’s really important: building people’s connections with our greatest resource, the shared American landscape. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act bolsters the outdoor recreation economy and opens the doors for outfitters new and old to provide ample and affordable guided opportunities to folks from all walks of life,” said Aaron Bannon, executive director of America Outdoors Association and resident of Lander, WY. 

“The members of the Wyoming Outfitter & Guides Association support and urge passage of America’s Great Outdoor Act. Wyoming’s outdoor recreation industries are a huge part of our state’s economy and WYOGA whole heartedly supports the act,” said the Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association. 

Read a summary of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022 here.

Read the section-by-section of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022 here. 

Read the full text of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022 here. 

Background Information: 

On November 18, 2021, Barrasso and ENR Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the Outdoor Recreation Act. This bipartisan bill will increase and improve outdoor recreation opportunities in Wyoming and across the nation, while improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in rural communities. It has support from Governor Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, and Southwest Wyoming Off-Road Trails. 

On May 13, 2021, Barrasso introduced the FILM Act. This legislation will modernize film permitting on public lands to keep pace with changing technology and social media. It will also eliminate burdensome and unnecessary regulations. The Wyoming Office of Tourism supports this bill. 

On September 29, 2021, Barrasso introduced the CAPE Act. This bill provides discretion to the National Park Service to donate the cape, hide, horn, and antlers obtained from non-native species during wildlife management activities to volunteers or others authorized by the park service. It has been endorsed by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Wild Sheep Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. 

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act legislation is endorsed by numerous recreation organizations, conservation groups, and state officials.

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