Key Provisions for Disc Golf

The EXPLORE Act does not mention disc golf anywhere in its text. However, its provisions map well onto disc golf’s development model. The key is honest framing: disc golf fits these authorities, but advocates should not claim the statute expressly authorizes disc golf course construction.

1. Section 112 — Recreation inventory (Critical)

Directs BLM to conduct a mandatory comprehensive inventory and assessment of recreation resources, developed with public comment. The inventory must identify areas by recreation type, assess demand, identify underutilized locations suitable for developing or expanding recreation, and project future needs.

This creates a formal, statutory process through which disc golf organizations can request inclusion as a recognized recreation type and nominate specific BLM sites for development. The public comment window for this inventory will be the single most important early advocacy opportunity.

2. Sections 214–215 — Accessible recreation (Critical)

Requires BLM to select at least two new accessible recreation opportunities in each BLM region. Those opportunities may include biking, shooting, picnic facilities, outdoor constructed features, and “any other” recreation opportunities identified with stakeholders. This is the clearest textual opening for disc golf in the entire Act — specifically for adaptive or accessible disc golf designs.

3. Section 351 — Good Neighbor Authority (Critical)

Expands Good Neighbor Authority to allow states, counties, and Indian Tribes to carry out “authorized recreation services” on BLM lands, including establishing, repairing, improving, constructing, or reconstructing recreation infrastructure. This provision sunsets after 5 years (January 2030), creating urgency.

4. Section 341 — Volunteer authority (Critical)

Extends the 1972 Volunteers Act to BLM for the first time. BLM may now recruit, train, and accept volunteers for recreation access, trail construction or maintenance, facility construction or maintenance, and education. Critically, BLM may not require volunteers to obtain liability insurance. This provision explicitly authorizes volunteer disc golf course installation on BLM land.

5. Section 312 — Permitting and categorical exclusions (Critical)

Mandates that agencies develop new or modify existing categorical exclusions for special recreation permits. Also prohibits “needs assessments” as a condition of issuing SRPs (except in wilderness). Tournament SRPs on BLM land should qualify for categorical exclusion where similar events have been authorized before.

6. Title III — Event and tournament permitting (Immediate value)

For organized group recreation activities, the law requires BLM to make a nominal-effects determination in certain circumstances. BLM’s SRP page specifically asks organizers about competition and course marking — questions that map directly to disc golf tournaments and temporary layouts.

7. Section 131 — Gateway communities

Creates authority for DOI to assess gateway community needs and provide financial or technical assistance, cooperative agreements, or MOUs. Disc golf near towns, trail systems, campgrounds, and day-use areas is a strong match for BLM’s goal of spreading use away from overcrowded flagship destinations.

8. Sections 221–222 — Youth and veteran provisions

Requires a public strategy to increase youth recreation visits and directs development of veteran recreation partnerships. Disc golf fits because it is low-cost, low-barrier, easy to scale for clinics, and adaptable for wellness-oriented programming.

9. Section 132 — Improved visitation data

Mandates a unified visitation data reporting system categorizing multiple types of recreation activities. When agencies establish recreation categories, disc golf organizations should advocate for disc golf to be listed.

10. Section 153 — 30-year partnership agreements

Establishes a pilot program allowing nonprofits and private entities to improve and maintain recreational facilities on federal lands via agreements of up to 30 years. BLM must enter agreements in at least 5 states within 3 years. The $2 million minimum investment threshold limits applicability to major destination-scale projects.