Virginia Outdoor Recreation Businesses Applaud House Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act; Say the Bill Will Give VA Businesses the Boost They Need
Today, in a historic bipartisan vote, Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act, legislation that will stimulate the outdoor recreation industry and support the thousands of small and large businesses that comprise the growing industry, and create more safe and sustainable recreation access for all Americans.
“Public lands in Virginia are incredibly important for providing recreational fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities,” said John Crews, owner and president of Missile Baits, which is headquartered in Salem, VA. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided fishing access that I and many other Virginians have enjoyed throughout the commonwealth, so I know firsthand the importance of this program. I’m grateful to the Virginia delegation for supporting the Great American Outdoors Act and helping to ensure public lands are available for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”
Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act provides full, permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and will address the $20 billion backlog on federal lands and waters, improving recreation infrastructure.
Outdoor recreation is a major part of Virginia's economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation accounts for 128,000 jobs in Virginia and generates $9.3 billion annually.
“Public lands are critical for providing recreational fishing opportunities in Virginia and throughout the nation,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “The Great American Outdoors Act will provide long overdue funding to benefit current and future public lands at the local, state and federal levels. Enactment of this historic legislation will benefit recreational fishing, and outdoor recreation in general, for decades to come.”
Full, permanent funding for LWCF will significantly increase funding to build and upgrade parks in Virginia and across the country. Critical current conservation needs that could be supported by full funding of LWCF include:
- George Washington National Forest, Virginia
The George Washington-Jefferson National Forest is an easily accessible outdoor recreation destination for millions of residents of the greater Washington metropolitan area - 6th largest in the nation - and the cities of Charlottesville, Roanoke and beyond. This project will ensure public access to popular destinations that serve millions of residents and visitors alike, help the state of Virginia meet the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement by protecting land within the watershed, prevent forest fragmentation and development and protect habitat for federally and state listed threatened and endangered species. LWCF funding will allow the George Washington-Jefferson NF to acquire several inholdings that meet important forest protection goals and expand high-value outdoor recreation opportunities for the public. - Roanoke River Working Forest
This project will acquire in fee 4,947 acres to protect high value working forestlands and other natural resources in perpetuity. This project will also protect forested wetlands, which provide important habitat for a variety of waterfowl such as Virginia’s threatened Carolina darter. The land protection effort will enhance public access to outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, hunting, camping, and bird-watching. Upon completion of the fee acquisition, the state will establish its 26th state forest.
In the past, LWCF has been key to the outdoor recreation industry in Virginia, supporting projects like:
- Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge
Part of the region-wide effort to protect the rivers flowing into runoff-stressed Chesapeake Bay, $15M in investment from LWCF over the last 20+ years has protected nearly 6,000 acres along the Rappahannock, with many areas for fishing, hunting, and recreation. Established in 1996, the Rappahannock River Valley NWR is still less than halfway toward its goal of protecting 20,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Collaborative Conservation in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Chesapeake Bay is North America’s largest estuary, rich in both natural and cultural resources. The Bay is a recreation destination for the region, drawing sportsmen, boaters, swimmers, and hikers to its waters and surrounding lands. It also faces enormous challenges, supporting a human population of over 14 million, and absorbing nutrient- and sediment-laden runoff from the 150 rivers and streams that flow into the Bay. LWCF is the lifeline through which federal land management agencies fulfill their share of the commitment to sustain the Bay that sustains us.
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The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable promotes the growth of the outdoor recreation economy and outdoor recreation activities and is the leading outdoor recreation coalition with 32 member associations serving over 100,000 businesses. ORR’s members represent America’s hunting, fishing, RVing, biking, hiking, camping, ATVing, diving, horseback and skiing communities among many more.
CONTACT: Madison Donzis | madison@unbendablemedia.com