WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Chairman of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) to digitize public land mapping records to support greater outdoor recreation access. The Modernizing Access to our Public Land (MAPLand) Act, which is also cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), will enhance the nation’s outdoor recreational opportunities by digitizing and standardizing mapping information like access points and permissible uses on federal public lands, improving access to hunting and fishing and supporting Maine sportsmen and women. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. This legislation builds on Senator King’s efforts to help more people access public lands through technology and 21st century solutions, he recently called on the National Park Service to provide digital passes, and introduced a bill to create a “Waze for Parks.”

“America’s public lands have always enabled our citizens to get outside to explore the natural beauty that surrounds us – and in recent years, the call of the wild has grown even stronger for people across our nation,” said Senator King. “Our bipartisan legislation will make it easier for America’s hunters, fishers, and adventurers to recreate safely, using the latest mapping technologies to help more Americans access our public lands. I’m grateful that this legislation has passed through Congress with strong bipartisan support, and look forward to seeing how it supports our nation’s outdoor enthusiasts.”

“I am proud to see this commonsense legislation make its way to the President,” said Senator Risch. “The MAPLand Act will not only make it easier than ever for outdoorsmen and women to explore and recreate on Idaho’s vast public lands, but for them to do so legally and responsibly.”

“With vast acres of forests; miles of scenic trails; and numerous pristine lakes, ponds, and rivers, Maine is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts,” said Senator Collins.  “Improving the availability and accuracy of maps will help hunters, fishermen, hikers, and other recreationalists find new areas to explore and enjoy.  In addition, by enhancing access to federal lands like Acadia National Park and Katahdin Woods and Waters, our bipartisan legislation will attract visitors to the surrounding communities, boosting local economies and helping to create jobs.”

Every year, hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen miss out on opportunities to recreate on public lands because the only maps showing access points are stored as printed copies in local field offices. The MAPLand Act will digitize and standardize mapping records, like access points and permissible uses on federal public lands, to boost outdoor recreation and improve hunting and fishing access for sportsmen and women.

The MAPLand Act has received strong support from the sportsmen and outdoor recreation communities:

“Passage of the MAPLand Act is a huge win in ensuring that our public lands system is accessible to all Americans, and we are grateful to Senators Risch and King for their leadership on this important issue,” said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Hunters and anglers as well as our partners in the outdoor industry have been vocal champions of this common-sense legislation since it was first introduced, because we know that a 21st-century digital mapping system for our public lands will empower more people to get outside and discover new recreational opportunities.”

“The No. 1 reason for hunter decline in the U.S. is insufficient public access and quality hunting opportunities. The importance of reliable, comprehensive information on access to our public lands and waters cannot be overstated. The need to modernize mapping systems is also critical for improving active management of fish and wildlife habitat and developing better data and science for understanding things like migration corridors. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers thanks Senator Risch, King, and the congressional leaders in both chambers who championed this foresighted, commonsense effort,” said Land Tawney, CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

“Quality hunting and fishing requires healthy habitat and access for hunters and anglers. The #MAPLandAct makes sure that information about public land access and areas open for hunting and fishing is kept current and readily available for sportsmen and women,” said Steve Kandell, Director of Trout Unlimited's Angler Conservation Program.

A member of the Energy and Natural Resources and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Senator King is among the Senate’s loudest voices advocating for public lands and encouraging outdoor recreation. He was recently awarded the inaugural National Park Foundation (NPF) “Hero” Award. Senator King helped lead the passage the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) into law; the legislation includes the Restore Our Parks Act – a bill led by Senator King – and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Permanent Funding Act. The historic legislative package continues Senator King’s career-long focus on conservation efforts, dating back to his work prior to running for elected office through his years as Governor and his service in the Senate. Over the course of his time in the Blaine House, Governor King was responsible for conserving more land across Maine than all Governors before him combined.