[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 43 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE RECREATION NOT RED-TAPE ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2016

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today, along with my colleague in the 
Senate and fellow Oregonian Senator Ron Wyden, I am pleased to 
introduce the Recreation Not Red-Tape (RNR) Act. This bill helps to 
support and promote sustainable outdoor recreation on public lands by 
removing barriers to access and making recreation more of a priority 
for federal land managers.
  In Oregon and across the country, an increasing number of Americans 
enjoy recreating outdoors. In fact, at least two thirds of Oregonians 
participate in outdoor recreation each year. Recently, I joined Senator 
Wyden for a portion of his tour of Oregon's Seven Wonders--some of our 
state's most treasured outdoor recreation destinations--and we heard 
from dozens of Oregonians about how important open spaces, trails, and 
recreation areas are to individuals, families, businesses, and 
communities. From the magnificent Columbia River Gorge to lesser known 
trails and creeks throughout our forests, canyons, and deserts, having 
access to these places for hiking, nature-watching, biking, and other 
activities is good for our souls and for our economy.
  Outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands in Oregon and 
nationwide support healthy communities, create jobs, generate tax 
revenue, and support a high quality of life. According to the Outdoor 
Industry Association, Americans spend $646 billion per year on outdoor 
recreation gear, vehicles, trips, and more. In Oregon, outdoor 
recreation generates over $12 billion in consumer spending, tens of 
thousands of jobs, and $4 billion in wages and salaries. Not only that, 
but supporting sustainable outdoor recreation on public lands can also 
help protect important ecological, watershed, and fish and wildlife 
values that underpin high quality recreation experiences.
  While public lands are open to all Americans, unfortunately sometimes 
it's not as easy as it should be to enjoy the great outdoors. 
Recreation permitting can involve confusing, complicated, and lengthy 
processes, and federal land managers need support in maintaining trails 
to facilitate use. We need to prioritize sustainable outdoor recreation 
for the important, powerful role that it plays in our economy, in our 
communities, and in our environment.
  This bill helps to promote and support sustainable outdoor recreation 
on public lands by simplifying recreation special use permitting, 
facilitating access for our youth, seniors, and veterans, prioritizing 
maintenance of trails through collaborative partnerships, making 
environmentally responsible outdoor recreation a priority for land 
management agencies, and more. These changes will help get more people 
outside to enjoy our environment, nurturing our important bond with the 
natural world. The next step will be to complement these efforts by 
continuing to conserve and protect the special places that provide us 
with recreation opportunities, so that those opportunities can be 
available for generations to come.

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