On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) expressed serious concern regarding the federal government shutdown and its impact on the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy. With public lands already understaffed, the shutdown is expected to place additional strain on the industry and local businesses that rely on outdoor visitation to national parks, which added $56 billion to the U.S. economy last year.
“A government shutdown poses a serious threat to the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy,” said OIA President Kent Ebersole. “Public lands and national parks are already facing critical staffing shortages, and a shutdown would further disrupt operations, restrict access in some areas and jeopardize the livelihoods of hard-working Americans in gateway communities that depend on recreation and tourism. With visitors across the country planning trips this fall, the shutdown will lead to cancelled reservations and reduced business activity with lasting impacts. Leaving public lands unattended leaves them vulnerable to vandalism and disrepair, undermining the outdoor recreation economy.”
OIA urges Congress and the administration to resolve a shutdown swiftly and to avoid any further reductions in staffing that would undermine the management of our public lands. A stable and fully supported federal workforce is essential to sustaining the outdoor economy and ensuring outdoor access for millions of Americans.
On Tuesday, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) also issued a warning of the significant and lasting damage a shutdown would have on America’s outdoor recreation economy.
