On Sunday, Aug. 4, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrated the fourth anniversary of the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), a landmark law that the outdoor industry was instrumental in passing and that has had a profound impact on the outdoor recreation industry and the U.S. economy.
The Great American Outdoors Act represents the most significant investment in outdoor recreation and conservation in decades, the organization said, and has played a critical role in supporting the $1.1 trillion economic powerhouse that is the outdoor recreation industry. The law has funded critical outdoor recreation infrastructure and conservation projects across the country funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) with at least $900 million annually and helping to solve for the growing maintenance backlog across our nation’s recreation assets.
“ORR was instrumental in the passage of GAOA, which received broad bipartisan support, when it was needed most, during an international pandemic when the outdoors faced unprecedented visitation,” said ORR’s President Jessica Wahl Turner. “Today, we celebrate how this landmark legislation has not only revitalized our parks, forests, trails, campgrounds, lakes and rivers but has also bolstered the economic vitality of countless communities nationwide.
“GAOA’s success is evident in the myriad projects it has spurred funding for, ensuring that our natural treasures are preserved and accessible for future generations. It has also bolstered our outdoor recreation amenities — improving recreational boating infrastructure, creating parks and open spaces, rehabilitating campgrounds and much, much more. It is an understatement to say that GAOA has made significant strides in enhancing outdoor experiences for all Americans.
“As we celebrate this anniversary, we also look to the future with optimism. The GAOA has paved the way for new legislation, such as the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, the first-ever recreation-specific legislative package, which is currently making its way through Congress. This new legislation aims to build on GAOA’s foundation, further expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation and ensuring continued support for the industry, all without any additional costs to taxpayers. Given the ongoing deferred maintenance and repair challenges our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other public lands continue to face, it is critical that Congress continues to invest in outdoor recreation infrastructure, including reauthorizing the GAOA Legacy Restoration Fund, and protect against any efforts to undermine LWCF.”
Wahl continued, “We are grateful for the collaboration with federal agencies, lawmakers, industry partners and our members who have worked tirelessly to prioritize and implement the GAOA and the projects it has helped to fund. The continued investment in our outdoor infrastructure and conservation efforts is essential for the health, well-being and prosperity of our nation and we look forward to building on the successes of GAOA and ensuring that the benefits of our public lands are enjoyed by all.”