Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), representing the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy made up of over 110,000 businesses, issued the following statement on the successful removal of a provision in budget reconciliation that would have sold off hundreds of thousands of acres of America’s public lands and waters.
In a letter sent earlier this week to House Speaker Mike Johnson, ORR emphasized the critical importance of keeping public lands selloff out of this legislation. Statement attributed to Jessica Turner, ORR president:
“At a time when the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry is facing significant headwinds, keeping public lands public is a bipartisan, pro-business solution and we are pleased that an amendment that would have sold off public lands and waters was stripped from the budget reconciliation package advancing in Congress.
“Keeping public lands and waters open and accessible to all Americans is a business imperative that ensures economic growth, job creation, public health benefits from more time outsides, and attracts investment in gateway communities that depend on these lands for their livelihoods. We commend leaders like Public Lands Caucus co-founders Representatives Zinke and Vasquez and other bipartisan members for leading this effort in the House.
“We believe there may be instances in which small, targeted leases, exchanges or sale-purchase models are in the public’s and recreationists’ interest—and we will work with Congresswoman Maloy and Amodei to better understand their constituents’ needs and find common ground solutions, but reconciliation legislation did not allow for appropriate mechanisms to protect recreation access, funding, or public input or allow revenue generated to stay in local communities for conservation and recreation access.
“Congress avoided setting a dangerous precedent that lands can be sold anytime the U.S. Treasury needs a budget ‘pay-for’ and threatening outdoor recreation businesses and rural communities alike that need certainty, access, and long-term infrastructure. We will continue our work with the Trump Administration, Republicans and Democrats standing up for America’s best return on investment – our public lands and waters.”
Background:
Letter to House Speaker Johnson (05-20-2025)
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Applauds Formation of Bipartisan House Public Lands Caucus (05-07-2025)
The $1.2 Trillion Outdoor Recreation Economy Depends on Keeping Public Lands Public and Accessible (04-04-2025)
