Note: This piece was first published in The Hill on September 9, 2019 By Jessica Wahl, Sandra Marra, Mary Ellen Sprenkel, Land Tawney and Kate Van Waes America’s public lands and waters are our nation’s most treasured resources, but they face a serious problem – a lack of federal investment that has led to $19.3…
The National Governors Association (NGA) today announced the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Learning Network – of which the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is a founding sponsor – to help governors and their staff leverage their states’ unique natural, cultural and historical outdoor recreation resources to advance economic, workforce, health and environmental benefits. “ORR is…
Virginia joined a growing number of states that have embraced the importance of the outdoor industry by establishing an Office of Outdoor Recreation – drawing praise from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). Governor Ralph Northam unveiled the office at an event today in Roanoke, VA, which was attended by ORR and its members – including…
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable commends the joint efforts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), State of Maryland and Charles County for creating a new National Marine Sanctuary, the first in 19 years. National Marine Sanctuaries support important places for outdoor recreation activities like fishing, boating, paddling, diving and more. The proposed Mallows Bay-Potomac…
Congressional focus on recreation continued this week with the bipartisan introduction of the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act in both houses of Congress by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI). This widely supported legislation removes barriers to outdoor recreation, making it easier for all Americans…
Members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) are making their case before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), describing just how proposed Section 301 tariffs will hurt the outdoor recreation industry and American consumers. Tom Cove (President and CEO, Sports and Fitness Industry Association), Glenn Hughes (President, American Sportfishing Association), Scott Schloegel (Senior…
ORR testified on Capitol Hill this week. Executive Director Jessica Wahl was invited to testify on the deferred maintenance backlog and potential solutions by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This hearing represented an extraordinary bipartisan opportunity to explore how we can improve recreation infrastructure essential to outdoor pursuits on our public lands and waters. While visitation to…
The United States Senate unanimously approved S. Res. 239, designating June as Great Outdoors Month. The resolution action was led once again by U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana, who led parallel efforts in 2017 and 2018. The full list of Senators leading this effort, literally spanning the nation from Maine to Hawai’i and appropriately…
GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH, 2019 A PROCLAMATION Each year, millions of Americans step into our Nation’s vast and wondrous outdoors. There, they experience the miracles of creation: expansive forests, towering mountains, winding canyons, pristine waters, imposing glaciers, and soaring landscapes. These natural marvels offer limitless opportunity to experience nature and to consider the profound. During Great…
Bill would simplify permitting processes for outdoor guides and outfitters Americans’ ability to participate in outdoor recreation on our public lands and waters took a major step forward this week with the introduction of the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act by Senators Martin Heinrich (D, NM) and Shelley Moore Capito (R, WV). This…