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HOME  - Activism Recreation info from the other side
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Recreation info from the other side |
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Written by Scott Silver
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Monday, 11 February 2008 |
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American Recreation Coalition member groups keep their supporters updated as I as do Wild Wilderness' supporters. One of the ARC-slanted resources I monitor is the monthly newsletter of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
Pasted below are three short items from the "Government Affairs" section of their February edition. The first is about the  National Park Centennial Initiative, the second about the Baucus Fee Repeal bill and the third is about ARC's efforts to shape the future of recreation at Army Corps rec-sites.... which, I'd just remind folks, provide the lion's share of ALL OUTDOOR RECREATION visits in this country.
In these three items you may notice that the common thread is private-sector recreation profits. When it comes to public lands recreation policy, private sector recreation profits is the main driver.
Scott
--- begin quoted ---
Feb 2008
National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
Governmental Affairs
National Park Centennial Initiative Stalled in Congress
As the first session of the 110th Congress nears its end in late 2007,
the National Park Centennial Initiative was still awaiting
Congressional action. This historic program could invest as much as $3
billion in the national parks from Federal and nonfederal sources by
2016-the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service. Partisan
differences between Democrats and Republicans on the House of
Representatives Natural Resources Committee and the challenge of
identifying sources of Federal funding for the initiative have
prevented Congressional action. ARVC continues to support the
Initiative and is working with a broad national coalition of recreation
and tourism industry and environmental organizations to move the
program forward while ensuring that the interests of private businesses
and gateway communities near the national parks are protected.
Congressional Bill Would Repeal Federal Recreation Authority
On December 10, 2007, Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Michael Crapo (R-ID)
and Jon Tester (R-MT) have introduced S. 2438, The Fee Repeal and
Expanded Access Act of 2007. This legislation would eliminate the
authority of Federal land agencies except the National Park Service to
collect user or visitor fees. The national parks would still be allowed
to collect fees for general admission and use of developed facilities
including campgrounds and boating areas. National park fees would have
to satisfy certain criteria in terms of benefits and administrative
costs and feasibility, but not including the competitive impact on
other businesses. Other Federal lands, including the national forests,
BLM lands, fish & wildlife preserves and reclamation lakes would
lose their fee collection authority. Although no action is likely
regarding S. 2438 in the near future as a separate bill, although it is
always possible, it may be attached to other legislation moving through
Congress.
Recreation Effort to Develop Recreation Strategy for Corps of Engineers
ARVC is part of a recreation industry effort led by the American
Recreation Coalition to develop a recreation strategy for the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, which provides water based recreation to tens of
millions of Americans, especially in the midwestern and southeastern
states. Recreation has historically been a low priority for the Corps
of Engineers, which has focused on flood control and commercial
navigation goals. The recreation industry is working with Corps staff
to develop a strategy to propose to the Corps leadership that would
give more attention to the recreation activities on Corps lakes and
related facilities. While supporting this broad effort, ARVC is urging
that the impact of Corps based recreation should stress cooperative
projects and programs with local communities that will maximize
economic benefits to those areas.
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