Wyden, Bishop Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Access to Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Rob Bishop, R-Utah, today introduced legislation in the Senate and House to remove barriers to outdoor recreation and boost rural economies across the country.
Their bipartisan Recreation Not Red-Tape (RNR) Act, S. 1633, would promote access to outdoor recreation opportunities and allow more visitors to get outdoors. The RNR Act would streamline the permitting process for guides and recreation enthusiasts, hold federal agencies accountable for making outdoor recreation a priority for the first time and increase volunteerism to address the maintenance backlog on America’s public lands.
“The RNR Act puts the engine for Oregon’s recreation economy into top gear, creating rural jobs and helping outdoor businesses thrive,” Wyden said. “Our bipartisan bill will break down barriers to the great outdoors, allowing more visitors to take advantage of the endless recreation experiences our public lands have to offer.”
“Cumbersome permitting processes and other bureaucratic roadblocks have significantly undermined access to recreational opportunities for lands that should be available for all Americans to enjoy,” Bishop said. “This bipartisan bill cuts through that red-tape and ensures federal land managers are focused on their role in providing the public with high-quality outdoor experiences.”
Wyden introduced a previous version of the RNR Act last year after gathering input from outdoor enthusiasts in Oregon and across the country about how to improve overly complicated and outdated agency processes that make it more difficult for local recreation businesses to thrive.
Several pieces of the 2016 legislation have since become law, including a piece of the bill that called for a study to discover the real-world economic impacts of outdoor recreation, including the jobs and business opportunities it generates.
The RNR Act of 2017 is supported by a range of recreation and conservation groups, including The Wilderness Society, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Alliance, Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the YMCA, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Travel Oregon.
“As evidenced by the $887 billion in consumer spending and the 7.6 million jobs supported by the outdoor industry, recreation on public lands is as popular in the 21st century as any other time in our nation’s history, and it’s one of our biggest economic drivers,” said Amy Roberts, Outdoor Industry Association’s executive director. “Unfortunately, many of the regulations and agency policies that govern our public lands’ use are outdated. We support the bipartisan effort of Senator Wyden and Chairman Bishop to update antiquated processes and reduce barriers to recreation for today’s outdoor users. We believe the pragmatic approach of the Recreation Not Red-Tape bill will lead to healthier communities and healthier economies across the country.”
Read the bill text and a one-page summary of the RNR Act.
What they are saying:
Travel Oregon
“Senator Wyden recognizes the important role outdoor recreation plays in the nation’s economy and job creation in largely rural areas. Travel and tourism generates $2.1 trillion in economic output and supports 15 million jobs nationally, with $11.3 billion and more than 109,000 jobs in Oregon alone. Outdoor recreation is a vital component of this industry and helps to create robust and healthy economies in communities, both large and small, in every corner of the country.” - Todd Davidson, Travel Oregon CEO
Outdoor Industry Association
“As evidenced by the $887 billion in consumer spending and the 7.6 million jobs supported by the outdoor industry, recreation on public lands is as popular in the 21st century as any other time in our nation’s history, and it’s one of our biggest economic drivers,” said Amy Roberts, Outdoor Industry Association’s executive director. “Unfortunately, many of the regulations and agency policies that govern our public lands' use are outdated. We support the bipartisan effort of Senator Wyden and Chairman Bishop to update antiquated processes and reduce barriers to recreation for today’s outdoor users. We believe the pragmatic approach of the Recreation Not Red-Tape bill will lead to healthier communities and healthier economies across the country.”
- Amy Roberts, Executive Director
Outdoor Alliance
“Millions of Americans enjoy outdoor recreation on our national public lands. We are pleased to see the bipartisan effort of Senator Wyden and Congressman/Chairman Bishop to streamline and improve outdoor recreation access for all Americans. The Recreation-Not-Red-Tape Act provides commonsense tools for improving access to outdoor recreation. It will foster better tailored land management and help protect more public land for its recreation value.” - Adam Cramer, Executive Director
The Mazamas
“The Mazamas, one of the oldest mountaineering groups in the U.S., has dealt with plenty of red tape in pursuing our passion for adventure in the outdoors. Sen. Wyden’s Recreation Not Red-Tape act targets the problems that many of our federal agencies face when trying to balance access and conservation. RNR addresses a range of issues from outfitter-guide permitting and trail stewardship to protecting recreation areas throughout the country. The Mazamas fully supports RNR and its focus to remove barriers to getting more people outdoors, enjoying their public lands and boosting local economies.” - Lee Davis, Executive Director
Association of Northwest Steelheaders
“Senator Wyden’s Recreation Not Red-Tape Act recognizes the need to modernize the Federal permitting process that stifles public access to our lands. Prioritizing recreation on public lands promotes sustainable use of our country’s greatest assets, and protects these lands for future generations of hunters and anglers.” - Bob Rees, Executive Director
American Alpine Club
"For climbers, public lands are our nation’s greatest asset and where we practice our craft. Ensuring access to these lands for human-powered recreation attracts tourism dollars, strengthens communities and enhances quality of life. We support the Recreation-Not-Red Tape Act because by prioritizing recreation values and addressing land management conflicts, more people will be able to enjoy getting out onto our public lands." - Maria Povec, Policy Director
Access Fund
“The Recreation-Not-Red-Tape Act improves access to our public lands and strengthens partnerships that help get Americans outside. This is an important step toward making sure that outdoor recreation is always considered a primary use of our public lands.” - Erik Murdock, Policy Director
International Mountain Bicycling Association
"At a time when mountain biking continues to grow in popularity, it's great to see forward-thinking policy like the Recreation-Not-Red-Tape Act. This bipartisan bill recognizes the value of more flexible land protection designations like National Recreation Areas, the benefits of including "recreation" in the missions of more land management agencies, and how expanding seasonal recreation can strengthen local economies. Ultimately, the Recreation-Not-Red-Tape Act will help improve public access to trails for mountain bikers and other recreationalists." - Aaron Clark, Government Relations
American Whitewater
"We are excited with the opportunities this legislation creates to better recognize federal employees who embrace sustainable outdoor recreation on our public lands and work to improve the quality of the user experience. This will promote more partnerships and recognize those federal land managers who encourage efforts to improve the quality of facilities and visitor satisfaction." - Thomas O'Keefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director
American Canoe Association
"For paddlers, countless rivers flow through public lands and are treasured assets that allow paddlers to explore the magic of America's most revered natural landscapes. It is vital that we work collectively to ensure that the paddling community has access to our public lands. Paddling recreation strengthens local communities, economies, and embraces quality of life. The American Canoe Association supports the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act because prioritizing recreation values and addressing land management conflicts, allows paddlers access to the rivers, lakes, and seas that exist within our public lands." - Brett Mayer, Policy Chief
RNR Act Supporters
The Wilderness Society
Outdoor Industry Association
Travel Oregon
Timberline Lodge
Oregon Natural Desert Association
Trout Unlimited
KS Wild
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT)
Oregon Outdoor Alliance (OOA)
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Chad Brown, Soul River
Northwest Sportfishing Industry Assn.
National Ski Area Association
YMCA
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
Outdoor Alliance
The Mazamas
Travel Portland
American Horse Council
National Marine Manufacturing Association
People for Bikes
Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
Boat U.S.
American Sportfishing Association
Recreational Vehicles Industry Association
Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association
Archery Trade Association
Specialty Equipment Market Association
American Alpine Club
Winter Wildlands Alliance
Access Fund
International Mountain Bicycling Association
American Whitewater
American Canoe Association
American Rivers
Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA)
First Nature Treks & Tours
Oregon Pack Works
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