America's public lands recreation policy is, as many know, being dictated by the recreation / tourism industry with considerable input from pro-privatization ideologues. The public has no say in this matter. The conservation community has no say.  Some few recreation special interest groups do have a seat at the table --- but no organization that cares about wildness or wilderness is represented.

The public lands management agencies willingly accept the industry's lead and together they are conspiring to create an entirely new public lands recreation paradigm. Pasted below is a CONDENSED version of a News Release issued today.

I STRONGLY encourage people who care about America's Public Lands to explore the new www.tools4outdoors.us website and to familiarize yourself with the privatization tools being used to bring about this transformation.

Scott

---CONDENSED PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS ----

http://www.funoutdoors.com/files/NR11-06_1.pdf

NEWS Contact: Derrick Crandall, 202-682-9530
Toolbox for the Great Outdoors - Second Edition Goes Online

Washington, D.C. (June 12, 2006) - The Toolbox for the Great Outdoors Second Edition is now available online at www.tools4outdoors.us. The Toolbox is the result of cooperation between six federal agencies, ReserveAmerica and the American Recreation Coalition (ARC). The Toolbox for the Great Outdoors contains information on sources ranging from retained fees - made possible for most federal agencies by the passage of a 10-year recreation fee authority in December 2004 - to grant programs modified by the August 2005 passage of SAFETEA-LU, major surface transportation legislation.

 "Ultimately we might be able to quantify, and then profit from understanding, the benefits that good recreation facilities bring to other areas, like education, crime deterrence and international tourism." [ARC President Crandall said]

The second edition of the Toolbox will be maintained on its own website available at no cost to the public for a period of three years - a Third Edition is expected in 2010. The Toolbox will "grow" as those using the tools in the field add comments and case studies to benefit others. The design allows updates that reflect Congressional and Administration actions - or even new tools resulting from actions by states.

The American Recreation Coalition (ARC) is a Washington-based, nonprofit federation formed in1979. Since its inception, ARC has sought to catalyze public/private partnerships to enhance and protect outdoor recreation. Its membership consists of more than 100 organizations, including national and regional associations and corporations that represent a major share of the $400 billion a year recreation/leisure industry and enthusiast groups representing millions of recreationists. ARC provides a unified voice for recreation interests to ensure their full and active participation in the government policy making that is shaping present and future outdoor recreation resources, facilities and opportunities. ARC conducts research on a regular basis, organizes and conducts national conferences and meetings and disseminates information regarding recreational needs and initiatives through a variety of media, including its Web site, www.funoutdoors.com.

                            -30-

Comments (0) >>

Write comment

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment