The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) issued the following statement on the proposed spending cuts in the House Appropriations Committee Fiscal Year 2025 bill for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.
The bill is being considered by the subcommittee today (June 28):
“Cuts proposed by the House Appropriations Committee to spending on our public lands and waters are a step in the wrong direction, undermining the very infrastructure and resources that support our nation’s vibrant $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy. In light of ORR’s recent report findings that show outdoor recreation contributes nearly 14 times more to the U.S. economy than what it gets from federal spending, these cuts are misguided and deeply disappointing.
“The House FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Act includes a 3% cut from last year’s budget for the Department of the Interior at a time when our report shows that a 3% increase across recreation related agencies is needed just to keep pace with inflation and doesn’t take into account the need for additional funding to support increased visitation and the cost of extreme weather events on our natural resources. While we appreciate the increase in funding for the Office of Wildland Fire Management, the overall reductions will have far-reaching negative impacts.
“We urge Congress to reject these proposed cuts and recognize the substantial economic, health, and environmental benefits that robust funding for outdoor recreation provides. Investing in outdoor recreation is an investment in our nation’s future, and it is imperative that federal appropriations reflect this reality,” said Jessica Wahl Turner, ORR president, in her statement.
For background information, click here for ORR’s new report with graphics, tables, key insights and data sources.