WASHINGTON – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) affirmed its support for the bipartisan legislation advancing in the House and Senate to reauthorize and strengthen the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), originally established through the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020. The House Natural Resources Committee announced a field hearing to consider a discussion draft of the Great American Outdoors Act 250. The legislation modernizes and updates public land and water infrastructure, increases outdoor access and safety, and supports the outdoor recreation economy.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that outdoor recreation is a $1.3 trillion economic powerhouse, supporting 5.2 million jobs and creating thriving economies and jobs in every state. Recreation on federal lands and water alone added $351 million to the U.S. economy every day.
Business certainty and strategic, sustained access and infrastructure investment—particularly on the public lands and waters that underpin the entire outdoor economy—is critical to keeping momentum and ensuring long-term resilience for communities across the country. That is why ORR and its members spanning the entire outdoor recreation economy are pleased to support the bipartisan effort advancing in Congress to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund. The LRF has already delivered transformative results, funding projects nationwide and improving critical infrastructure across public lands and waters.
“From trails and campgrounds to marinas and visitor facilities, these investments have enhanced access, supported local economies, and improved the visitor experience,” said Jessica Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Reauthorizing and strengthening the LRF now represents a generational opportunity to build on that success and ensure public lands and waters are equipped to meet a growing interest in outdoor recreation as a cornerstone of healthy, resilient and sustainable economies and communities as we celebrate America’s 250th and for the next 250 years to come.”
ORR is pleased the House bill includes the establishment of a pilot program for projects that improve outdoor recreation infrastructure and sportsmen’s access. This program will enhance recreational opportunities and improve wildlife habitat, while also generating revenue for the agencies and preventing future maintenance backlog projects.
As one of the few truly bipartisan issues in Washington, investing in outdoor infrastructure unites communities across the political spectrum and supports nearly every American—whether through jobs, small businesses, access to nature, or improved health and quality of life. It is especially vital to the strength of rural economies and the well-being of gateway communities that rely on healthy public lands.
ORR is urging Congress to swiftly reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to conservation, outdoor recreation, and the economic and cultural vitality of public lands.
“Since the original Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law, these investments have helped fuel the growth of the outdoor recreation economy which generates $1.3 trillion in economic output and supports over 5.2 million American jobs. ORR applauds the bipartisan leadership in both the House and Senate to advance this legislation and stands ready to work with Congress to secure long-term, bipartisan support for our nation’s outdoor infrastructure,” said Turner.
ORR members spanning the entire $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy support reauthorizing and strengthening the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF):
“Deferred maintenance is one of the biggest threats to continued access on our public lands and trails for millions of motorcycle, ROV, and ATV enthusiasts,” said Christy LaCurelle, President and CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Council, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. “When roads, trails, bridges, and facilities deteriorate, visitors lose access and communities that depend on motorized recreation lose valuable economic activity. Strengthening the Legacy Restoration Fund gives agencies a practical tool to address critical infrastructure needs, helping keep public lands open and usable while supporting the local businesses and jobs that depend on outdoor recreation.”
“Modernizing our public lands infrastructure is directly tied to the health of the $159 billion RV industry and the quality of our customers’ experiences. The introduction of the Great American Outdoors Act 250 demonstrates strong, bipartisan leadership on an issue that impacts millions of outdoor enthusiasts and the 72 million Americans who plan to go RVing this year. Reauthorizing and strengthening the Legacy Restoration Fund ensures our national parks and public lands can continue to serve as economic engines and cherished spaces for generations of RVers to come. We applaud the House Natural Resources Committee leadership for their commitment to protecting the outdoor experience and supporting the local economies that rely on thriving public lands,” said Craig Kirby, RV Industry Association President & CEO.
“America Outdoors represents the outfitters and guides whose livelihoods depend on the trails, campgrounds, boat ramps, and river access points the Legacy Restoration Fund keeps open and safe. When a launch washes out or a road closes, it is not an abstraction for our members; it is a canceled trip, a lost paycheck, and lost returns for the communities they support. Reauthorizing and strengthening the LRF keeps the front door to America’s public lands open for the small businesses and rural communities that depend on it,” said Aaron Lieberman, Executive Director, America Outdoors Association.
“As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, there is nothing more uniquely American than our public lands — the forests, parks, trails, rivers, and open spaces that belong to all of us and help define who we are as a nation. For the record 183.2 million Americans who participate in outdoor recreation and the 5.2 million workers whose jobs are supported by the outdoor recreation economy, continued investment in public lands infrastructure and access is essential. Reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund through the Great American Outdoors Act 250 is a bipartisan, common-sense commitment to honoring our nation’s legacy, protecting outdoor access, strengthening local economies, and ensuring America’s public lands are ready for generations to come,” said Kent Ebersole, President, Outdoor Industry Association.
“When we invest in public lands infrastructure, we invest in the full spectrum of outdoor recreation. For equestrians, that means safer trails, improved access, and the ability to continue serving as active stewards by maintaining trails, supporting conservation, and helping ensure these landscapes endure for future generations. The American Horse Council is proud to stand alongside fellow signatories in support of reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund, a proven and essential investment that is already delivering meaningful benefits for our public lands,” said Julie Broadway, President, American Horse Council. “The Great American Outdoors Act is an investment in our shared heritage—protecting public lands, expanding access to nature, and ensuring that future generations inherit the wild places that define the American spirit. The equine and equestrian community believe this is essential to the long-term sustainability of our passion as we often see and experience the outdoors ‘between the ears’ of our companions.”
“The America the Beautiful Act represents an important investment in America’s outdoor recreation infrastructure and will help ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy our nation’s public lands. For the millions of families who travel by RV each year, well-maintained campgrounds, parks, and recreation areas are essential to creating memorable travel experiences and supporting local economies. By addressing critical maintenance needs and improving access to our public lands, this legislation will strengthen camping and RV travel opportunities across the country while encouraging more Americans to explore the outdoors and discover the freedom of the RV lifestyle,” said Phil Ingrassia, President RV Dealers Association.
“America’s public lands and waters are among our nation’s greatest assets,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “For the recreational boating and fishing community, access depends on well-maintained boat ramps, marinas, docks, roads, visitor facilities, and waterways that connect families to the water and support communities across the country. Reauthorizing and strengthening the LRF should be a must-pass priority for Congress this year. This is an investment in participation, local economies, small businesses, American jobs, and the outdoor experiences that help define who we are as a nation. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Congress has a clear opportunity to deliver a lasting win for public lands and waters, for outdoor recreation, and for the millions of Americans who depend on them.”
“Great trails don’t maintain themselves, and the Legacy Restoration Fund has proven it can deliver for riders, gateway communities, and the local economies built around outdoor access. Reauthorizing it is a smart, bipartisan investment in keeping public lands open and ready for every American who wants to ride and get outside. PeopleForBikes is proud to support its reauthorization,” said Jenn Dice, CEO of PeopleForBikes.
“Privately owned campgrounds are often the front door to America’s public lands. With three out of four OHI member campgrounds located within 25 miles of public lands, our businesses play a vital role in welcoming visitors and supporting the rural economies that depend on outdoor recreation,” said Paul Bambei, President and CEO of OHI (Outdoor Hospitality Industry). “Investments through the Legacy Restoration Fund help ensure the roads, trails and recreation infrastructure that connect people to the outdoors remain safe, accessible, and ready to meet growing demand. This bipartisan legislation is an investment not only in public lands, but also in the gateway communities and small businesses that help power America’s $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy.”
“Supporting the public’s ability to recreate on federal lands results in an extraordinary return on investment because of the benefits to our citizen’s health and our nation’s economy. It also leverages the investment that National Forest Recreation Association members make in their facilities on those lands to ensure the public has high quality and safe opportunities to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors,” said Marily Reese, Executive Director, National Forest Recreation Association (NFRA). “The Great American Outdoors Act 250 will continue Congress’s bipartisan commitment to helping the public camp, hike, boat, ride horses or ATVs and fish in some of the most beautiful areas in the world.”
Background:
- The House Natural Resources Committee field hearingwill take place in Hot Springs, Arkansas on the Great American Outdoors Act 250 to extend the Legacy Restoration Funding on June 12.
- The House bill text (discussion draft) Chairman Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Huffman (D-CA) have been negotiating can be found here: Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American Outdoors Act 250.”
- ORR is particularly excited about the recreation pilot program and its impact on healthy communities, economies, and people and the understanding that recreation infrastructure is core to our natural resource legacy, especially as we celebrate America’s 250th this year.
- ORR supports the America the Beautiful Actintroduced by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mark Warner (D-VA). The legislation has significant momentum in the Senate with 62 bipartisan cosponsors.