America’s Outdoor Recreation Act yesterday was reintroduced in the 118th Congress with strong bipartisan support. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and its members across the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy urged approval of the bill, which aims to improve access to outdoor spaces, including waterways.
“This is a commonsense, no-cost bill that will help equalize and improve access to green spaces and wild outdoor places in every state in the country,” Chris Perkins, senior director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, said in a statement. “We are seeing unprecedented interest in outdoor recreation, but many of the policies supporting outdoor recreation are outdated. This package will make it easier for Americans to access the outdoors and provide agencies with new tools to address long-standing outdoor recreation needs.”
According to the statement, outdoor recreation provides 4.5 million American jobs. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act would:
· Enable permit streamlining to ease burdens on outfitters and guides and improve access to outdoor experiences
· Improve access to recreation on public lands and waters
· Ensure access to green spaces in underserved communities
· Update outdoor recreation infrastructure
· Develop, improve, and complete long-range trails
· Invest in rural economic development
Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association thanked policymakers for reintroducing the legislation. “The America’s Outdoor Recreation Act is a comprehensive set of provisions to ensure our public lands are well managed and conserved to benefit the outdoor recreation economy and all those who love the outdoors,” he said.
Added Frank Hugelmeyer, president/CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association: “America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will bolster outdoor recreation access and opportunities for the millions of Americans who continue to discover the benefits of the great outdoors and time spent on our nation’s lands and waters. The recreational boating and fishing industries urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill in the weeks to come.”
