George H. W. Bush – A Champion of America’s Great Outdoors

During recent ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Cathedral and in Houston George H.W. Bush was honored for his leadership, his patriotism and his remarkable circle of friends.  His love of boating and fishing and the great outdoors was referenced multiple times – including talk of his boat, Fidelity, a not-too-traditional fishing boat –…

Planning Underway for Next Chapter of Partners Outdoors

Partners Outdoors – a unique gathering of recreation community leaders from the private and public sectors – has been a mainstay of the outdoor recreation community for almost 30 years. This special meeting is designed to promote public-private brainstorming focused on identifying workable, innovative solutions to recreation management challenges. Partners Outdoors 2018 was one of…

One Lame Duck Vote That is a Walk in the Park

The sun is setting on the 115th Congress, with just weeks left to advance legislative proposals that have been debated over the past two years on Capitol Hill. While time is short and the legislative laundry list is long, the House and Senate should take full advantage of the remaining time by passing legislation that…

Nomination of David Vela to NPS Director Moves Forward

The National Park Service is moving closer to welcoming a new Director.  The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing today to consider the nomination of David Vela to be the Director of the National Park Service (NPS).  During the hearing, Mr. Vela discussed a wide range of topics, including: the growing maintenance…

ORR Members Gearing Up for Lame Duck Session

As the 115th Congress prepares to return for a short “lame duck session,” members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s (ORR) government relations committee are hard at work urging passage of key legislation reflecting ORR’s policy agenda.  ORR members are seeking funding for continuing and expanding the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, which measures the economic impact of outdoor…

U.S. Senators Introduce RTP Full Funding Act

Washington, D.C. (November 1, 2018) – The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has aided trail construction and maintenance projects and programs nationwide since 1991. Created through landmark surface transportation legislation, RTP reflected Congressional belief that federal gas taxes paid on motorfuel used in motorized nonhighway recreational activities should be used to benefit those paying the tax…