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Today it was announced that the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the US Forest Service signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (see below). According to the announcement, "This MOU is the foundation of what we hope will be a long-lasting public-private partnership committed to working together to resolve water access issues."
For those unfamiliar with this powerful lobby and their ongoing efforts to throw America's National Parks wide open to motorized recreation, I've provided here excerpts from two recent NMMA press releases. In the first you see what the NMMA wants. In the second you see how they go about getting it. They have been remarkably successful in getting what they want.
Chicago, IL - A revised national parks plan released by Interior Department Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on June 19 is causing concern for outdoor enthusiasts across the country. Rather than reflecting the appropriate balance of both conservation and recreation, the new plan seemingly drops the importance of recreation in the parks. The nation’s largest recreational boating trade association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), warned against this dangerous reversal in parks policy that would prohibit public use at a time in which park attendance is declining.
"Congress did intend for parks to be used and enjoyed by the public," said Monita Fontaine, NMMA Vice President of Government Relations. "The National Park Service cannot allow itself to be held hostage to those who argue for minimal public access. It goes against the spirit in which these parks were created."
Chicago, IL - The nation’s premier recreational boating trade association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), today announced its largest record breaking political fundraising quarter ever, shattering all previous records. The NMMA Political Action Committee (NMMA PAC) ended the second quarter of 2006 with an all-time record of $86,958 in contributions from 177 donors. This brings NMMA PAC’s 2006 totals to $153,415 from 247 donors with the entire 2006 election year cycle (2005 and 2006) to a record $349,429.
"Thanks to the continued strong support of the industry, NMMA PAC is raising our profile around Washington, D.C. with government leaders," said Monita Fontaine, NMMA Vice President of Government Relations. "It’s evident that the boating industry means business, and your support allows us to advocate for pro-business, pro-boating policies."
Scott
(To explore similar USFS MOUs, click here.)
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November 2, 2006
NMMA and National Forest Service begin waterway access, safety &
conservation partnership
Amidst increased waterway access restrictions at the federal, state, and local levels in recent years, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the U.S. Forest Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today aimed primarily at preserving boating access for millions of American boating families. The new agreement was celebrated at a signing ceremony this morning at the 2006 International Boat Builders Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) in Miami.
The U.S. Forest Service manages many public recreation sites popular for boating in forty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. As more and more people live in urban areas, the Forest Service’s eighty-nine boating related recreation sites offer the public an excellent setting to enjoy the great outdoors.
"Both the Forest Service and NMMA share a common interest in improving and enhancing water access so people are better able to enjoy their coastal waterways and lakes," said Thom Dammrich, NMMA President. "This partnership is particularly significant for those boaters who don’t live on the water and rely on public access to launch their boats from a trailer." According to Dammrich, many people become boaters initially with a trailerable boat, eventually moving towards larger boats over time.
Under the agreement signed today, the U.S. Forest Service and the nation’s largest recreational boating industry trade association, the NMMA, commit to improve and enhance boating access efforts. Along with promoting public recreation opportunities, the Forest Service and NMMA will also work together to expand outreach efforts to educate the public on boating safety and aquatic stewardship.
"Considering more than 70 million Americans go boating each year, I am enthusiastic about the federal government’s appreciation for maintaining access to public waterways," said Monita Fontaine, NMMA Vice President and Senior Counsel of Government Relations. "This MOU is the foundation of what we hope will be a long-lasting public-private partnership committed to working together to resolve water access issues."
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