Help Shape the Future of Public Land Recreation: Comment on New Measurement Plans

You might care about this because several government agencies, including the Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are asking for public comments on new ways to measure how people use public lands for outdoor activities. This request comes from Section 133 of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The act requires these agencies to set up trial methods, called pilot protocols, at a minimum of 10 land management units under each Secretary's control. The purpose of these trials is to better understand recreation patterns, especially those that are low-use or spread out, which are not easily tracked by current methods. These current methods often miss many types of outdoor experiences. The agencies have now developed proposed pilot protocols and identified specific land management units where these trials would take place. Your comments will help them refine these plans before they are put into action. What makes this notice particularly interesting is that it addresses a significant gap in how we understand outdoor recreation. Existing ways of tracking recreation often overlook activities that are not part of large organized groups or that occur in less visited areas. Imagine a quiet stroll on a lesser-known path or a day spent fishing in a remote stream. These activities are meaningful for many people, but they are difficult to count or document. The proposed pilot protocols aim to create more accurate systems for measuring these types of recreation. This improved data can provide land managers with a clearer picture of how public lands are truly being used. Such accurate information can then help guide decisions about maintaining natural resources, planning facilities, and ensuring fair access for everyone who enjoys outdoor spaces. People who regularly enjoy public lands, environmental groups, and anyone with an interest in how public spaces are managed would find this document very relevant. This includes hikers, campers, bird watchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who participate in less structured activities. Local communities located near national forests, parks, or other public lands might also find this notice important, as better data on recreation could affect how resources are allocated and how access is managed. Researchers who study recreation trends, and advocacy groups focused on public land access or conservation, would also be keenly interested in the development and application of these measurement methods. Providing your input ensures that a wide range of perspectives is considered in this important process.