Photo: jokerpro-STOCK.ADOBE.COMThe Biden Administration has revived a federal agency, originally created by the Obama Administration, that promotes the expansion of outdoor recreation activities and access.
The Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation, which was reestablished last week, will help focus attention and resources on providing the public with improved and affordable access to public lands and waters, the National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a statement this morning.
“With multiple federal agencies responsible for our nation’s outdoor recreation sites, reviving FICOR to streamline and improve the management of our public lands and waters is a commonsense solution, and we thank President Biden and his administration for taking this action,” said NMMA president Frank Hugelmeyer, who is also chairman of the Outdoor Recreational Roundtable. “It is imperative for Congress to ensure this council’s vital work is not interrupted under future administrations by enshrining FICOR in law.”
The interagency council includes officials from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Defense and the Army Corps of Engineers.
“Solidifying FICOR could not have come at a better time to support America’s public lands, waters and $689 billion outdoor recreation economy,” Jessica Turner, president of ORR, said in the statement. “It is critical that federal land and water management agencies work together to address important recreation issues around funding, overcrowding and climate resiliency, as well as coordinate on the implementation of newly passed measures that will address the maintenance backlog, infrastructure priorities and distribution of Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars.
“ORR and its members are ready to partner however we can on solving these challenges together, as well as collectively approaching the many opportunities that are ahead to help everyone access the outdoors and protect our natural resources,” she added.
