Partners Outdoors VIII was held at the Coronado Springs Resort and Conference Center at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on January 3-6, 1999. This meeting was the eighth such gathering of government officials and private- sector representatives designed to foster dialogue, understanding and cooperation between the two groups, in addition to an appreciation of the needs of their common customers: recreationists on the nation's public lands. The program was coordinated by The Recreation Roundtable in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Federal Highway Administration. Approximately 130 people were in attendance — representing an excellent turnout from both the private and public sectors and also featuring key state park agency and state tourism agency directors. Key speakers included: Art Peterson, Chairman of The Recreation Roundtable; Jim Lyons, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment; Tom Bedell, Chairman of the Outdoor Technologies Group; Mike Dombeck, Chief of the Forest Service; John Horsley, Associate Deputy Secretary of Transportation; David Humphreys, President of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association and Chairman of the American Recreation Coalition; and Kym Murphy, Corporate Vice President for Environmental Policy of the Walt Disney Company.
The session included a mixture of formal presentations, interactive panel sessions and discussion groups. Panels were used to address: Opportunities and Challenges for the Recreation Community in the New Millennium; The National Recreation Lakes Study; The Great Outdoors and Washington. Key issues, Communicating the Right Recreation Message; and Transportation, Tourism and Recreation. A New Alliance. The group also divided into subgroups to develop outdoor action plans designed to enhance recreation opportunities in the next century that would appeal to the Administration, the Congress and the public.
The Partners Outdoors VIII program opened with a session at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a newly opened attraction at Walt Disney World. Hosted by Kym Murphy, the tour highlighted Disney's work to establish ecosystems which were healthy for several hundred species on display at the park and also provided excellent opportunities for viewing the animals. The tour also highlighted use of transportation systems to move people and new communications technologies employed to interpret natural and cultural exhibits and issues.
Following the return to the hotel, each of the federal-agency and private-sector groups involved in the conference met briefly to discuss plans and assignments for the next two days. At the subsequent Welcoming Reception, Art Peterson lauded the talents and accomplishments of those gathered at Partners Outdoors VIII and urged each participant to fully utilize the opportunities at the meeting to devise creative responses to needs they face in their on-going assignments.
Monday morning's first session featured leading public and private-sector figures addressing the challenges and opportunities facing recreation in America as we approach a new millennium. Mike Dombeck explained the Forest Service's Natural Resources Agenda and focused his comments on recreation, as one of the four priorities under the agenda. He praised the efforts of many of the Forest Service officials in the room, noting their willingness to experiment with new tools and new rules. Tom Bedell then challenged the group regarding future participation in outdoor recreation. He noted that state and federal fisheries programs were currently investing more than $1 billion annually in protecting resources and fisheries — monies paid by anglers and boaters, he noted — but participation in fishing was declining. Contrary to those who insist, ~Build it and they will come," Tom insisted that building the physical opportunities for fishing and other activities is just the first step. In an urban and multi cultural world, public and private recreation interests must also help people learn to use and enjoy the outdoors. He explained new technologies now emerging in fishing and predicted that tomorrow's boat will be an "entertainment center" merging traditional activities with computer games. Tom explained the year-long development of an outreach program under the Boating and Sportflshing Partnership Council, an advisory committee to the Secretary of the Interior, and the action by the Congress in 1998 to provide at least $36 million to help increase participation in fishing and boating. He noted that research demonstrated that many younger potential anglers were not motivated to go fishing to get away from society and technology.
Fran Mainella, President of the National Association of State Park Directors, shared news of actions by state park agencies across the nation and addressed the special challenges of providing quality outdoor opportunities close to home. She underscored the connection between recreation and other desirable societal goals, including improved health, reduction in crime, community pride and economic development. She reported on the strong interest of state park leaders in restoring the Land and Water Conservation Fund's "state side" to act as a catalyst for local projects. Finally, Dave Humphreys reported on the continuing growth of the RV community and shared insights about motivations of RV'ers — numbering some 20 million in the U.S. The chief attraction of RV-ing, he reported, was the link to other people — not the RV itself or the places the RV enables them to visit.
The next panel featured the Chairman, the Vice Chairman and the Deputy Director of the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission. They reported on the commission's findings and tentative conclusions and recommendations, while also encouraging continued input from the participants as the study is completed. The commission found that man-made, federally-managed lakes now provide tremendous recreation opportunities but that the potential for recreation on these lakes was much greater. Constraining opportunities are inadequate and worn-out facilities (conservative estimates put the current investment/reinvestment need at nearly $1 billion and growing) and operational practices based on maximizing other project purposes.
A third Monday morning panel focused on Washington legislative and regulatory issues affecting recreation. Kelly Johnson, Counsel to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, explained details of pending legislation to use federal OCS receipts to mitigate coastal impacts of oil and gas development and to fund federal and state recreation site purchases, state recreation facility development and wildlife conservation efforts. The total spending under these initiatives would exceed $2 billion annually, making this the largest single conservation undertaking in decades. She also addressed other pending issues, including recreation fees. Tom Melius, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, outlined various fish and wildlife oriented initiatives before the Congress and under consideration by the Administration. George Schoener, Director of Intermodal and State-Wide Programs for the Federal Highway Administration, reviewed the important new tools provided to recreation interests under TEA-21, described in depth in the Partners Outdoors workbook, and noted that further progress might be possible since federal motorfuel tax receipts are running ahead of projections and may permit additional spending. Derrick Crandall noted the importance of examining other major initiatives — from the next farm bill to healthcare legislation — for opportunities to benefit recreation, just as the highway program has proven to offer a rich array of opportunities. He reminded the group that a small tap on a big pipeline was more valuable than owning all of a dry well.
Lyle Laverty, Regional Forester for the Rocky Mountain Region, chaired the next panel, which also included Homer Staves, Vice President of KOA, Don Charpio, with Arizona's BLM team, Gary Fraker, President of Yosemite Concession Service Corporation, and Derrick Crandall. Lyle shared his surprise at the public and media concerns about recreation which surfaced when his appointment to his current post was announced. Some long-time critics of the Forest Service have begun to label recreation the "new extractive industry," comparing its impact to timber harvesting and grazing. Even some well-meaning citizens are expressing concern that the public lands are moving toward over-commercialization and over-development. He cited news reports and violent actions, including vandalism at Vail. What is missing, Lyle speculated, was a clearly defined vision of where recreation was headed on the forests and other public lands. Homer Staves noted that awareness of the positive aspects of recreation on public lands can be heightened creatively, and shared information about KOAs work on the Lewis and Clark expedition bicentennial. One outgrowth is a syndicated television program featuring a family of today retracing the trek; KOA is also working with state and federal agencies using the expedition as a vehicle for teaching history, science, math and geography in an integrated way. Gary Fraker outlined the many environmental initiatives of his company in Yosemite and noted the lack of interest of the traditional media in these efforts, contrasting that with widespread coverage of protests over long-planned development of Park and concessioner replacement housing near a camp frequented by a small group of rockclimbers. Don Charpio shared BLM's work to communicate its efforts through tourism and recreation organizations, as well as the internet, but also echoed Lyle's concerns about a growing criticism of "industrial strength recreation," based upon misinformation. Derrick Crandall reported that Roundtable research documents strong support for recreation among the nation's "influentials" but cautioned that without reinforcing the association of recreation with fun, fitness, family and concern for the environment, recreation could see lessened popular support.
The remainder of the day was devoted to meetings of four Solutions Teams, co led by a federal and private-sector official. Each team was composed of a mixture of federal, state and private officials and worked to develop a cohesive agenda for meeting recreation needs of the next century, integrating both new and underway initiatives such as national recreation lakes and fee demonstration programs.
Dinner featured optional discussion tables and a presentation on environmental considerations in the design and operation of the Coronado Springs Resort by Kym Murphy.
Tuesday opened with presentations by the Solution Teams and discussion of the key provisions of each plan. That session was followed by a presentation by Robert Shulman, a consultant for the Forest Service, on Brand Awareness for Recreation on Federal Lands. He explained how the Forest Service was engaged in a long-term process to incorporate marketing in the agency's operations, and that the first vehicle for this was the fee demonstration program. He explained how an agency team is now implementing phase two of the fee program at two sites — the Pacific Northwest and Sedona, Arizona. Also involved is a continued use of the agency's "Hike U.S.," "Camp U.S.," "Ski U.S." and other marketing symbols.
Next, John Horsley, Associate Deputy Secretary of Transportation, and Henri Bisson, Assistant Director for Renewable Resources for BLM, outlined a new and powerful alliance among transportation, tourism and recreation interests based upon scenic byways, trails, enhancement program funding for visitor centers and more, gateway communities, new communications technologies and internet sites.
Over lunch, Jim Lyons, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment, shared a broad overview of public policy issues, identifying present and future opportunities for alliances and partnerships in providing enhanced recreation experiences. His presentation was followed by an update on key accomplishments of prior Partners Outdoors sessions. A special highlight was a screening of media coverage of the WOW-Wonderful Outdoor World element of the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 1999. Other accomplishments noted included: the Smokey Bear hot air balloon; the Partners Outdoors Fair; the ARC Legends awards each June; the new annual joint research on recreation participation, motivations and barriers; the recreation fee demonstration program; the new Partners Outdoors Works newsletter and website; the Outdoor Recreation Information Centers (ORIC) in REI stores and more.
The final session of the program featured Kym Murphy, Jim Lyons, David Humphreys and Denise Meridith, Director of BLM's Arizona State Office (currently on sabbatical), acting as a panel of senior advisors to a candidate for the presidency of the United States. Participants were invited to offer themes and proposals from the Solution Team reports as elements for the candidate's use. Lively and imaginative exchanges took place. Suggestions ranged from broad support of recreation as good for individuals, families and communities to very focused proposals, including use of tobacco-settlement funds to encourage recreation participation by America's youth. The suggestions will be summarized and presented to the Recreation Roundtable and to key Congressional and Administration leaders this spring.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Partners Outdoors Steering Committee met and gave the program a collective 8.6 rating on a 10-point scale and identified an 8-point action agenda attached to this report. Copies of the Solution Team reports are appendices 2-5. A listing of participants is included as appendix 6.
Attachments
January 14, 1999
Scott Silver, Executive Director,
Wild Wilderness
248 NW Wilmington Avenue, Bend OR 97701
Phone (541) 385-5261 E-mail: ssilver@wildwilderness.org