As many Americans prepare for the holidays, the outdoor recreation industry urges Congress to avoid a government shutdown that could shutter access to America’s cherished public lands and waters, disrupt small businesses and hurricane relief efforts, and leave outdoor recreation workers and visitors out in the cold. This after just yesterday passing the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, a groundbreaking bipartisan achievement that cements the outdoor recreation industry as a cornerstone of America’s economy.
Jessica Wahl Turner, President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, stated: “A government shutdown is like canceling everyone’s holiday plans all at once—except instead of missing a party, families miss out on treasured trips to our public lands and waters, businesses lose crucial income, and workers face financial uncertainty. Congress has a responsibility to protect the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, which millions of Americans depend on for jobs, wellness, and joy. Don’t let this holiday season become the year the outdoors closed for business.”
Five Key Impacts of a Government Shutdown on the Outdoor Recreation Industry
- Impact on Local Communities: Gateway communities that rely on visitors to public lands see sharp declines in revenue. Small businesses, some still recovering from the pandemic, face reduced hours or closures, jeopardizing jobs and livelihoods.
- Impact on the Economy: The outdoor recreation economy, which contributes $1.2 trillion annually and supports over 5 million jobs, faces significant disruptions. Past shutdowns have proven that these economic losses are not easily recovered.
- Impact on Staff: Government shutdowns furlough thousands of federal employees who manage public lands, leaving them without pay during the holiday season and creating financial strain for both public and private workers.
- Impact on Lands: Without essential staff, trash builds up, infrastructure maintenance halts, and wildlife faces disruptions. Cleanup costs skyrocket, creating long-term harm to the natural resources we all rely on.
- Impact on Visitors: Planned vacations to national parks and public lands are disrupted, leaving families with canceled trips, financial penalties, and lost opportunities to enjoy the outdoors over the holiday and New Year’s break.
The Solution
Outdoor recreation leaders from both parties have consistently championed historic investments in public lands and waters, like the EXPLORE Act yesterday. Now, that same bipartisan leadership is needed to avoid a shutdown.
Congress should remember this is the giving season, and prevent disruptions to the lands, communities, and people who depend on them. Americans deserve open public lands and waters and a government that supports the economy they fuel—during the holidays and every day of the year.