Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on four bills that expand federal lands access to military, veterans  and Gold Star Families throughout the United States. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement in response:

“Every American owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our way of life. However, when they return home, many veterans often find much of our public lands to be off-limits. Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands is improving outdoor recreation opportunities for these heroes by ensuring our public lands are managed in a way that makes them accessible for our nation’s military, veterans, and Gold Star Families.”

Background

As we continue to celebrate the month of America's founding, the Natural Resources Committee is committed to honoring our nation's military members and veterans.

Despite the many benefits and enjoyment public lands bring to visitors, many of those lands remain inaccessible to veterans, particularly wounded warriors.

Today's hearing focused on legislation that would improve outdoor recreation opportunities for America’s heroes, provide spaces for relaxation and healing for military families and identify outdoor-focused employment for veterans transitioning to civilian life.

H.R. __or the “Military and Veterans in Parks (MVP) Act” would create innovative adaptive trails and recreation opportunities to ensure wounded warriors can experience the full splendor of our national parks and public lands. The bill also develops a national strategy to increase recreation opportunities for veterans and streamlines permits and fees for military servicemembers and veterans.

H.R. 1786 would seek to increase the hiring of veterans by creating a pilot program directing the Department of the Interior (DOI) to work with the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs to employ veterans in DOI positions related to conservation and resource management activities.

H.R. 1829 would require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Ariz. for the purposes of developing a veterans retreat.

H.R. 2468 would require the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the State of Utah certain federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management within the boundaries of Camp Williams, Utah to facilitate the completion of a new road for the public and active-duty military members.