{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-westerman-bill-expand-outdoor-recreation-opportunities", "HOUSE PASSES WESTERMAN BILL TO EXPAND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES", "2024-04-09", "2024", "2024-04", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Act (EXPLORE), bipartisan legislation sponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) to expand outdoor recreation access nationwide.\n\nWesterman released the following statement on the policy provisions included in the EXPLORE Act to reopen overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area:\n\n\u201cEver since the Forest Service suspended overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area, I\u2019ve heard from countless constituents who are disappointed with the decision and frustrated with the mismanagement of the site since the suspension. As such, I included comprehensive and responsible policies in the EXPLORE Act that will ensure the Forest Service reopens overnight camping and better manages the Albert Pike Recreation Area. No one understands the blessing of outdoor recreation opportunities quite like Arkansans, which is why I\u2019m proud to champion the EXPLORE Act to ensure that outdoorsmen and women can safely enjoy their favorite recreation sites, like Albert Pike, for generations to come.\u201d\n\nClick here for Westerman\u2019s full statement on the passage of the EXPLORE Act.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nOne of the most popular sites within the Ouachita National Forest is the Albert Pike Recreation Area (APRA), a unique area that has long attracted outdoorsmen and women from across the country. The U.S. Forest Service suspended overnight camping at APRA following a major flash flood that tragically killed 20 people on June 11, 2010. Since then, APRA has been to limited day use. Congressman Westerman\u2019s EXPLORE Act will:\n\nSafely re-open any existing overnight campsites outside of the 100-year flood plain within 30 days of the bill\u2019s enactment.\n\nIdentify 54 areas that may be suitable for overnight camping in the recreation area within 6 months of the bill\u2019s enactment.\n\nEstablish at least 27 new overnight camping sites outside of the 100-year flood plain, including at least 8 with electric and water hookups, for public use within 2 years of the bill\u2019s enactment.\n\nRequire the rehabilitation necessary to make publicly accessible areas in APRA suitable for year-round day use.\n\nIn addition to reopening overnight camping at APRA, the EXPLORE Act will:\n\nImprove access to public lands and waters for outdoor recreation.\n\nModernize technology to improve visitor experiences, like increasing broadband connectivity and creating digital recreation passes.\n\nStreamline the permitting process and reduce fees for small businesses that depend on public land access.\n\nProtect rock climbing in iconic places and create new long-distance bike trails.\n\nRestore campgrounds and modernize infrastructure.\n\nSupport gateway communities by addressing housing shortages and outdated infrastructure.\n\nImprove accessibility for military service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities and children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-westerman-bill-expand-outdoor-recreation-opportunities"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8909401949495077, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}