Access Bill to protect Wilderness climbing progressing in US
- Friday 10th March 2023
With climbing in wilderness areas under threat, federal lawmakers in the US introduce new bill.
Good news emerging from the Access Fund in the US confirms that, for the first time ever, federal lawmakers, have just introduced a standalone bill to protect Wilderness climbing: the Protect America’s Rock Climbing Act.
“This is a monumental day for our community.” Chris Winter, the Executive Director of the Access Fund said. He continued, “I’m so proud of the role our team played in bringing this bill to life. Access Fund brought together two pro-climbing champions—Representatives John Curtis (R-Utah) and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) - along with Wilderness policy experts, and everyday rock climbers to craft this legislation. Thanks to all of this hard work, we’re one step closer to protecting some of America’s most iconic Wilderness climbing areas and ensuring consistency in federal climbing management policy.
This bill couldn’t have come at a more important time. Wilderness climbing is under threat from the National Park Service, which recently prohibited fixed anchors in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado. A similar proposal hangs in the balance at Joshua Tree, California. These precedent-setting moves could impact climbing on other public lands around the country, including those managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.
The Protect America’s Rock Climbing Act is part of Access Fund’s two-pronged strategy to protect Wilderness climbing. In addition to this legislative fix, we are also working to push back on misguided management plans that would compromise climbers’ ability to safely and sustainably explore Wilderness areas.
We have a long way to go before the Protect America’s Rock Climbing Act becomes the law of the land, and we’ll need your help to get this bill across the finish line. Stay tuned for an upcoming Action Alert.”
Click here for more details on the Access Fund’s website.