U.S. representatives Bruce Westerman, Steve Womack and Jared Huffman have introduced the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that is a companion to legislation introduced in 2023 by senators Kevin Cramer and Martin Heinrich.
The LAKES Act addresses several priority areas for the boating and fishing industries. It would improve outdoor recreation facilities managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide new opportunities for public-private investments, and give local districts more flexibility to reinvest local resources.
“Thank you to Rep. Bruce Westerman, Rep. Steve Womack and Rep. Jared Huffman for championing the introduction of the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong Act,” NMMA president and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer said in a statement. “This legislation prioritizes the maintenance and upkeep of high-use recreation infrastructure and facilities enjoyed by millions of Americans.”
The statement continues:
“Under existing law, local USACE managers cannot retain recreation fee revenues collected on-site, an authority afforded to NPS, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Federal land management agencies’ ability to retain fees derived from recreation and reinvest back into the maintenance and operation of high-use, revenue-generating assets is integral to ensuring that recreation facilities supporting public access can remain in safe working condition.”
If signed into law, the LAKES Act would allow the Corps of Engineers to retain 80% of recreation fees collected on-site for operations and maintenance at that location; enter into cooperative agreements with local nonprofits; and handle partner-collected fees and return them to the partner jointly managing the recreation facility to reinvest on-site.
