Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) President Jessica Turner attended the signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act yesterday, at the White House with President Joe Biden and other leaders from across the country.
The signing is a huge step toward achieving the outdoor recreation industry’s goals, the roundtable said, and ORR’s presence is a major recognition of the importance of this vital and growing sector. ORR was formed, in large part, to work toward better recognition of the outdoor recreation economy’s contributions to the U.S. economy, as well as the improvement and expansion of outdoor infrastructure and access for all.
“We appreciate the hard work by President Biden, members of his administration, the House and the Senate to come to an agreement on a broad and impactful bipartisan infrastructure package that invests in our local communities, our public lands and waters, and our people,” said Turner. “This infrastructure package provides an opportunity to not only rebuild our crumbling roads, bridges and airports, but also to improve the infrastructure behind our beloved public lands and waters.
“Meaningful investments in transportation, public lands, rural development and natural infrastructure connect more people to the outdoors and strengthen the outdoor recreation economy,” she said. “This creates new jobs, helps the U.S. remain globally competitive and ensures we recover from the impacts the pandemic had on businesses, local communities, our health and our quality of life. We encourage Congress to advance this historic package to the President’s desk as quickly as possible.”
ORR released a statement on the historic infrastructure package, including $100 million in outdoor recreation infrastructure support, among other programs vital to the outdoor recreation economy, being sent to President Biden’s desk:
- $100 million for restoring, preparing or adapting recreation sites on Federal lands: This is a key provision the outdoor recreation business community worked on and is imperative to ensure the continued growth and success of the industry, as well as safe and quality outdoor experiences for all Americans.
- Reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund: This funding supports fishery restoration and conservation efforts, boating access and infrastructure, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, as well as important fish stocking programs.
- Investments in natural infrastructure: ORR noted an increasing concern with the impacts of extreme weather across the country due to climate change, such as droughts, hurricanes and wildfires. These vital investments in natural infrastructure solutions, including green infrastructure, coastal restoration and regenerative agriculture, will help strengthen conservation, enhance outdoor recreation experiences and reduce carbon emissions.
- Forest Service’s Legacy Road and Trail Program: The authorization of $250 million for this program will help to increase recreation opportunities by investing in maintenance of Forest Service roads and trails near threatened water bodies.