Re: Supporting the outdoor recreation economy and recovery of individuals, communities, and outdoor companies in any upcoming pandemic response legislation
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leaders McCarthy, McConnell and Schumer:
Our outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending and 7.6 million jobs annually. The outdoor industry comprises 2.2 percent of the United States GDP and, prior to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, was growing faster than the economy. In addition, communities with access to outdoor recreation assets like trails, waterways, and parks of all types are attracting and retaining business investments, as more and more businesses rely on quality of life to attract employees.
Our system of parks and public lands being open for public use is critical for small and large retailers and outdoor businesses, along with the supply chain that serves them. Plus, these natural places bring quality of life to communities across the nation. Every
part of this system has been interrupted by COVID-19, impacting the health and wellness of individuals, companies, and communities.
Outdoor Industry Association and our 1,300 member companies write to ask for your support for including provisions that will aid economic recovery for the outdoor industry and communities across the country in any upcoming rounds of pandemic economic response legislation.
Thank you for the actions you have already taken to support these businesses through the CARES Act. Many of our members were able to access CARES programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program that bought them some badly needed time, but their fates hinge in large part on the ability of their current and potential customers to get back outside.
As we look to recovery in the months ahead, more needs to be done to help our communities and the outdoor industry recover from the current economic shock through investments in recreation infrastructure which will provide more opportunities for all Americans to get outside. The last few weeks have shown that millions of Americans depend upon outdoor recreation opportunities for health and wellness. Now more than ever, we need the mental and physical health benefits that getting outside can provide. Investing in outdoor infrastructure as part of our economic recovery efforts will provide a powerful return for all Americans.
Specifically, we would like your support for the following:
Permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and funding for the maintenance backlog across federal public lands: Pass the Great American Outdoors Act, which would finalize bipartisan and bicameral legislation that provides dedicated funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and resources to reduce the maintenance backlog on our public lands. This funding will have a long-term economic impact and will increase the visitor experience – a needed benefit for local tourism. Investing in LWCF has proven to double its investment in local economies and create thousands of jobs. Congress was close to passing this legislation due to extraordinarily broad bipartisan support. It makes even more sense now, with the public demand for outdoor recreation during the pandemic and with the economic, social, and health benefits that recreating outdoors provides.
Include permit streamlining: We support incorporating the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act (H.R. 787/S.1665) and the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act (H.R. 3458/S. 1967) into any legislative stimulus package. Streamlining the federal permitting system is important to the health of the guiding and outfitting communities, which have been financially harmed by the ongoing pandemic. These bills would provide more access to outdoor recreation for millions of Americans who annually enjoy the outdoors via guided adventures. By reducing current regulatory red tape,
guides and outfitters will more easily kick-start local tourism once Americans are able to access public lands.
Fund active transportation: We appreciate your commitment to infrastructure as an economic growth opportunity and, in doing so, would encourage you to include provisions that would increase funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This type of funding helps local economies and provides people with safe, environmentally sensitive, and low-cost forms of transportation and recreation. We support the Transportation Alternatives Program and the Recreational Trails Program (among others) and are hopeful that any additional infrastructure funding would significantly increase funding levels for these important economic drivers.
Increased funding/expansion of Civilian Conservation Corps: Additional funding for expansion of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) will provide a combination of jobs for Americans and restoration and stewardship of our public lands. The program could be further expanded to reach more youth and more outdoor places and to include opportunities on state lands. This program could immediately be brought to scale to meet the needs of recently unemployed workers from various affected industries. The CCC could be rapidly deployed via existing cooperative agreements with federal agencies and state and local agencies.
Funding to states and local municipalities for building parks, trails, and other outdoor recreation amenities in underserved and under-resourced
communities: Local and state tax revenues are significantly declining, yet the public needs local services. With the need to recreate close to home for health and wellness, the majority of Americans need access to parks, trails, and open spaces within a 10- minute walk or drive of their homes. This type of program is badly needed to help address the current inequities surrounding those who live near and reap the benefits of outdoor recreation, trail, and natural areas – and those who do not.
Prioritize policies to reduce carbon emissions: In consideration of transportation, energy, and infrastructure provisions, we would encourage you to use the opportunity to ensure policies are in place to reduce carbon emissions. Our industry relies on a healthy environment for those who love the outdoors to experience it to the fullest. Green infrastructure solutions not only sequester carbon and help mitigate the worst impacts of future natural disasters but also serve as places to recreate. We ask that you take a long-term view and work to ensure stewardship of our lands and oceans for future generations to enjoy.
As Congress moves forward with response and helping with the recovery from the ongoing pandemic and its economic impacts, we ask that you consider the critical role our public lands and the opportunities for outdoor recreation play in our country’s recovery. Together, we can help make a meaningful contribution to pandemic recovery efforts.
Sincerely,
Lise Aangeenbrug
Executive Director
Outdoor Industry Association
Michael West
CEO
686 Technical Apparel Co.
Matt Wade
Advocacy & Policy Director
American Mountain Guides Association
Chris Valiante Owner
22 Designs
Clay Haller
President
Advanced Elements, Inc.
Penn Newhard Founder/Partner Backbone Media
Tim Koehler
Chief Financial Officer Backpacker’s Pantry
Tag Kleiner
VP of Marketing
Far Bank Enterprises
(Sage, Redington, RIO Products, Fly Water Travel)
Craig Mackey Principal
Mackey Partners, LLC
Bill Gamber
President and Co-Founder Big Agnes
David Koorits Co-Founder Good To-Go
Matthew McClain
Executive Director Mammoth Lakes Recreation
Brad Werntz
President
Boulders Climbing Gym
Matt Holmes
Executive Director Groundwork Richmond
John Wentworth
CEO/Board President
Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation
Jenn Swain
Global Senior Sustainability Manager Burton
Larry Witt
President of Housewares (Hydro Flask & OXO) Helen of Troy
David Dragoo Founder
Mayfly Outdoors
Ali Kenney
SVP – Global Strategy & Insights Burton
Alyssa Ravasio Founder & CEO Hipcamp
Bob Mignogna
President
Mignogna Consulting, Inc.
Matt Lyon
Board Chair
California Outdoor Recreation Partnership
John Kirk
Director of Communications International Sportsmen’s Expos
Cam Brensinger
CEO & Founder
NEMO Equipment, Inc.
Peter Bragdon
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Columbia
Jeff Turner Director of Sales Kokatat, Inc.
Chris McKleroy CEO
Nocs Provisions
David Feinman
Government Affairs Director Conservation Lands Foundation
Rhonda Swenson CEO
Krimson Klover
Drew Saunders Country Manager Oberalp North America
Coral Darby
Founder
Darby Communications
Shawn Gorman Executive Chairman L.L.Bean
Chris Rischke
Director of Operations Oboz Footwear
Jennifer Pelkey
Sr. Marketing Director Outdoor Retailer
Brian Cox
President Lightspeed Outdoors
Louis Geltman Policy Director Outdoor Alliance
Rose Marcario President and CEO Patagonia
Nick Sargent
President
Snowsports Industries America
Fred Ferguson
VP, Public Affairs and Communications Vista Outdoor
Jenn Dice
Chief Operating Officer PeopleForBikes
Jennifer Savage California Policy Manager Surfrider Foundation
Ashley Korenblat
CEO
Western Spirit Cycling
Tom Adams COO
Petzel America
Michael Stewart Founder/Director of Partnerships Sustainable Surf
Todd Walton
Executive Director
Winter Wildlands Alliance
Eric Artz President and CEO REI Co-op
David Polivy
CEO
Tahoe Mountain Sports
Ryan Martin
CEO
Yakima Products, Inc.
Wendy M. Carey
VP/CFO
Seirus Innovative Accessories, Inc.
Brady Robinson Executive Director
The Conservation Alliance
Craig Flax
Founder/President
Youth Transportation Organization (Yoots)
Steven Frisch President
Sierra Business Council
Arne Arens Brand President The North Face
Steven Frisch President
Sierra Business Council
Gordon Seabury CEO
Toad&Co
Tony Post
CEO & Founder Topo Athletic
Ben Christensen
Vice President, Operations Simms Fishing Products
Brian Vargo President/CEO Vargo Outdoors, Inc.
Ben Warner
President
Skeleton Key Agency/Coast Film Festival
Steve Rendle
Chairman, President and CEO VF Corp
Seraph White
Interim Executive Director Outdoors Empowered Network
Kristin Hostetter Editor In Chief SNEWS | The Voice
Jon Jay
Digital Content Editor SKI Magazine
Tori Peglar
Co-Brand and Content Director National Parks Trips
Andrea Kupfer
VP, Managing Director Catapult Creative Labs