Mike Passo, Executive Director of American Trails, testifies on behalf of American Trails and the Accessibility Coalition about implementing the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act.
Opening Oral Statement to the House Committee on Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Federal Lands
Chairman Westerman, Chairman Tiffany, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
My name is Mike Passo, and I am here on behalf of American Trails and the Accessibility Coalition.
The EXPLORE Act represents a significant step forward in expanding access to public lands for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Its provisions, particularly in Title II, provide a clear and thoughtful framework to improve accessibility across federal lands.
However, the success of this effort depends on implementation. And right now, the single greatest barrier to implementation is staffing.
Across federal land management agencies, we are seeing substantial reductions in workforce capacity. These losses are not abstract. They are directly affecting the ability to carry out projects, maintain trails, and support partnerships that make access possible.
At American Trails, we administer a grant program that leverages nonprofit expertise and volunteers to address deferred maintenance on Forest Service lands. These projects consistently deliver strong returns on investment. Yet today, several are stalled because the agency staff we rely on are no longer there. Without those connections, the work cannot move forward.
At the same time, agencies are facing proposed budget reductions to the very programs that support recreation, maintenance, and accessibility. This creates a fundamental challenge. We cannot expand access and improve visitor experiences while reducing the staff and resources required to do so.
The EXPLORE Act also recognizes that accessibility is not only about building new infrastructure. It is about providing better information. For many people, especially those with disabilities, knowing what to expect on a trail is the key to participation. Investments in tools like the USGS Trail Explorer and Recreation.gov can make a meaningful difference in expanding access without major new construction.
Finally, accessibility should not be viewed as a niche issue. It is a universal one. It affects families, older Americans, veterans, and anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors safely and confidently.
Mike tells of his accident and epiphanies about the importance of recreation in every life.
American Trails and our partners stand ready to support implementation of the EXPLORE Act through strong public-private partnerships. But we need the federal workforce and resources in place to make that collaboration effective.
Thank you for your time and your commitment to ensuring that all Americans can access and enjoy our public lands.
View the full testimonial on YouTube:
Published April 2026
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