The (Outdoor) Stimulus Bill
By Amelia Arvesen
On June 17, The Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act, which at $18.5 billion, is being hailed as the largest investment in conservation and recreation in generations, possibly ever.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill in the next few weeks, and President Trump has indicated he will sign it into law. The support comes after several major disappointments for outdoor recreation, including slashes to the National Park Service’s budget and the sunset of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
This legislation will restore some of the shortfalls. The bill would permanently fund the LWCF at its maximum allotment of $900 million annually. That could mean more green spaces in urban areas and recreation projects in rural communities. The bill would also start filling in the $20 million deferred-maintenance backlog on federal public lands. To start, the bill would dedicate up to $9.5 billion over the next five years to improve campgrounds, trails, roads, docks, restrooms, and other outdoor recreation–related facilities that have deteriorated over the years.
Passing 73-25, the bill—which was sponsored by Senators Cory Gardner, R-Colorado; and Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia—brought both sides of the aisle together. “In an election year, during a pandemic, with a very divided nation, this bill was one big thing The Senate could get across the finish line,” says Jessica Turner, executive director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). “We need to build on this work and continue to support the bipartisan champions who got us here.”
ORR members including RV Industry Association and Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) have worked on this piece of legislation for years, sometimes even decades. “As the country takes steps toward economic recovery from COVID-19, federal investment in our public lands and waterways is critical to boost local economies, create thousands of jobs, and protect and improve our national parks,” says Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA. “These investments would also increase community access to nearby parks and trails, helping address gaps between where people live and nearby opportunities. In turn, more Americans will benefit from the health and wellbeing that parks and trails provide.”
Before COVID-19, the outdoor industry accounted for 2.2% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, contributed $778 billion in economic output, and supported 5.2 million jobs. But like many industries, it was hit hard. Stores and offices closed. Shutdowns slowed growth. Companies laid off employees. However, at the same time, more people started to get outside, according to numerous industry reports.
More than 850 conservation organizations, local governments, and tourism boards, and over 100 companies from across the sector came together in support of the legislation. A letter signed by Vista Outdoor, VF Corporation, Trek Bikes, Seirus Innovative Accessories, Kampgrounds of America, and other big companies said that funding infrastructure projects will ensure that “more people who are seeking the benefits the outdoors has to offer can get outside safely and grow our industry sustainably.” According to Turner, the companies were mentioned several times on The Senate floor during debate. “The outdoor business community has a key role to play,” she said.
Other outdoors-related political activity in the pipeline this year includes:
- President Trump declared June 2020 Great Outdoors Month, designated to “celebrate the majestic mountains, forests, canyons, beaches, and rivers that provide recreation and renewal for all Americans.”
- Introduced in The Senate and House, the 21st Century Conservation Corps bill would authorize the President to employ people to, in part, restore trails and paths, forest federal and public lands, and prevent floods and fires.
- Another recreation package will include pieces like the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act and the Recreation Not Red Tape Act.
- Restore America’s Wildlife Act will continue to be a priority for many conservation and wildlife groups.