The “Wise-Use” and Government Connections of American Recreation Coalition

Ask a few hundred avid outdoor recreationists “Who or what is the American Recreation Coalition (ARC)?” and you may not get even one correct answer. Ask the same question to members of the 107th Congress and you’ll be amazed at how well informed are these men and women.

Why the difference? Are Congressmen so much smarter than outdoorsmen? Or does it have something to do with the fact that, for nearly 20 years, ARC has wined, dined and entertained our elected representatives as ARC infused into these men and women its own values and objectives? Does the fact that you and I now need to purchase “trail passes” and “adventure passes” if we wish to enter our national forests and public lands have anything to do with what has been going on behind closed doors in Washington, DC? You bet it does!

Have you stopped to ask: Why is it that these new fees have been imposed almost exclusively upon low impact recreationists and wilderness users, while motorized recreationists have largely been exempted?

Consider for a moment, the following direct quote taken from the web site of an ARC member.

You already know that ARC is “partnering” with Federal land-management agencies in the implementation of the “recreation fee demonstration program.” Would you be horrified to learn that ARC is also an active participant in, and supporter of, the “wise-use” movement? Would you be repulsed to hear that ARC bestows its sincerest adulation upon our nation’s most anti-environmental and anti-wilderness, Congressmen? Or would you become furious if you learned that these elected officials are currently working with ARC to craft new legislation specifically designed to privatize, commercialize and motorize your public lands? More importantly, would you do anything about it, if everything we just said were true?

Presented in this report is a concise review of the currently available internet documentation which explains ARC’s connections to the “wise-use” movement and gives some idea of the influence ARC carries with particular governmental officials of this nation.

The many questions we have just asked of you can not be satisfactorily answered simply by reading the materials presented in this document. However, we believe a rather clear picture begins to emerge when this material is considered in combination with the three other literature reviews Wild Wilderness has already published.

There remains one final literature review to be written. What does the American Recreation Coalition really want? What is the common agenda shared by ARC, its 100-plus member corporations, the “wise-use” movement and America’s most anti-environmental Congressmen? We’ll give you a hint: Privatize, Commercialize and Motorize.

If you find this material disturbing, don’t despair. If you share our worries about the future of opportunities for the enjoyment of traditional low-impact recreation upon America’s public lands, speak up. We need not passively accept what ARC would otherwise foist upon us.

Wild Wilderness is a tiny organization with neither political connections nor financial resources. We need your help. We need you to become actively involved in this issue and to spread the word far and wide. And most of all, we need you to complain about what’s happening. Complain to legislators, to government officials and to your local newspapers. Speak with larger, more powerful, organizations. Share with them your concerns and ask them for specific suggestions on how you can wage an effective personal campaign. Better still, ask them to join in this effort, and help put a stop to ARC and its friends.
 

 
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L-14 (People for the West! - ARC is wise use organization)

More than 400 people from across the country made [the Western States Coalition] Summit VII the launch pad, and “new environmentalism” the rocket, for blasting a proactive grassroots effort into the new world of the second Clinton Administration.

From start to finish, the conference was jam-packed with information, ideas and enthusiasm for protecting natural resource production, public lands access, and private property rights.

PFW President Bob Quick moderated a panel discussion [which included] Derrick Crandall, president of the American Recreation Coalition.
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L-15 (EWG ClearView - ARC is flat out wise use organization)

‘Wise use’ groups credited with contributing to the WSC Summit VII included People for the West!, the National Mining Association, Alliance for America, Competitive Enterprise Institute, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Oregon Lands Coalition, BlueRibbon Coalition, and California Forestry Association

{Missed in the credits above was Derrick Crandall, president of the American Recreation Coalition, who served as a panelist along with representatives of American Forest & Paper Association, American Petroleum Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Mining Association and People for the West!.}.  [These] panelists expressed concern about the public’s negative view of industry and noted that industry needs positive statements, as exemplified by the bumper sticker, “It Takes a Mine to Build a Bridge” (a reference to Clinton’s oft-used bridge metaphor). They also discussed the need to work together and address common challenges, including specific issues such as Endangered Species Act revisions, property rights, mining law reform and global warming.
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L-48 (American Recreation Coalition - ARC and federal partners see big $$$$ in recreation)

July 11, 1997  -  Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman emphasized the national importance of recreation during a recent appearance at the American Recreation Coalition’s Recreation Exchange. ‘Recreation is big, big business in America,’ he said in his opening remarks...
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L-70 (US Bureau of Reclamation - ARC and federal partners promote cozy relationship)

[From document entitled: “‘Partners Outdoors’ Meeting, Talking Points by Patty Benek...”] {Partners Outdoors has direct ties to ARC, see also reference L-109a.}

Reclamation has ongoing partnerships with many public and private partners and we are continually looking for more. Certainly that’s a goal of the Departmental Travel and Tourist initiative chaired by Interior Deputy Secretary Garamendi.
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L-99 (United Four Wheel Drive Association Links - ARC supports off-road wreckreation)

[This list shows the wise-use companies and organizations with which the American Recreation Coalition keeps company.]
{UFWDA is itself, a member of the American Recreation Coalition.}
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L-109a (American Recreation Coalition - ARC honors anti-environmental villain Sen. Frank Murkowski)

U.S. Senator Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK), a potent national influence on natural resource, recreation, parks and energy matters and the Senate’s leading champion for a national recreation lakes system, has been named as the recipient of the ninth Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award... Both Great Outdoors Week and the award are sponsored by the American Recreation Coalition.

Senator Murkowski has shown strong interest in recreation matters, especially relating to access to public lands and waters. He was the sponsor of the first Partners Outdoors Fair in May 1995, as public and private sector groups joined to document the creative partnerships underway in the nation...

Great Outdoors Week is made possible through sponsorship by more than 30 recreation companies and associations.
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L-109b (American Recreation Coalition - ARC and Sen. Larry Craig promote wise use and motorized access)

Washington, D.C. -- A leading Republican member of the United States Senate spoke forcefully on the need for land-management reform during a recent appearance at the American Recreation Coalition’s Recreation Exchange. U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), who serves as both Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Forest and Public Land Management and Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee...[said]; The land-management agencies are not addressing the needs of the ‘broad spectrum of people who want to be in the resource.’ Instead, there is a ‘constant narrowing’ of the people’s ability to use public lands. ‘We have to change that equation,’ he stated, so that access will mean both ‘wise use and multiple use’ of the public lands...
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L-109c (American Recreation Coalition - ARC and Sen. Craig Thomas commercialize National Parks)

Washington, D.C. -- Land-management agencies will have to change their operations to accommodate a ‘tough’ funding environment according to United States Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY). The Senator, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Parks, Historic Preservation and Recreation, made that observation during his appearance at the American Recreation Coalition’s February Recreation Exchange.

Returning to the issue of privatization, Senator Thomas closed his formal remarks by commenting on legislation directing the Office of Management and Budget to decide which functions performed by federal agencies are essentially governmental and which should be handled by the private sector. ‘I hope we look at privatization,’ he said. ‘We could save money and things could be done better in the private sector.’
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L-109d (American Recreation Coalition - ARC has political clout)

‘Great Outdoors Week presents tremendous opportunities to increase the visibility -- and clout-- of the recreation community,’ stated ARC’s President Derrick Crandall.
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L-109e (American Recreation Coalition - ARC and Sen. Frank Murkowski plan proactive recreation agenda)

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has announced a new ‘Americans Outdoors Initiative’ to improve the nation’s outdoor recreation resources, facilities and services.

...the Senator plans to introduce legislation by April, hold hearings shortly thereafter, and enact what he calls ‘landmark legislation’ by the end of the 105th Congress in 1998. ‘We are very excited to see Senator Murkowski so enthusiastic about developing a proactive recreation agenda,’ said Derrick Crandall, President of the American Recreation Coalition.

The American Recreation Coalition is a national federation with more than 100 private-sector members, including many of the nation’s most prominent recreation companies and recreation-related associations. Since its inception, ARC has sought to catalyze public/private partnerships to enhance and protect recreation opportunities and resources.
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L-109f (American Recreation Coalition - ARC has friends in congress promoting their motorized agenda)

Washington, D.C. --The workings of the new 105th Congress will be marked by a spirit of bipartisan cooperation according to U.S. Representative James L. Oberstar (D-MN). He offered this encouraging assessment during remarks to the American Recreation Coalition’s first Recreation Exchange of 1997, which was held in early January. Mr. Oberstar commented that the 105th Congress was likely to resemble the last few weeks of the 104th Congress ....
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L-126 (Outdoor SourceNet - ARC lobbies congress for motorized recreation)

{This short quote is unusually rich in content.}
On November 27, 1991, legislation was passed by Congress to establish a national scenic byways program and a new trails trust fund. Derrick Crandall, ARC President, credited the activism of the recreation community, as well as the tireless efforts of supporters in Congress and within the Administration, with the success of this legislation .
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L-126 (Outdoor SourceNet - ARC promotes commercialization of public lands)

{This is another particularly revealing document.}
[From article dated: 1992.]
‘As we begin to look at the future we see no alternative but to embrace and build upon a tradition of partnerships, especially within our national parks and federal lands,’ Crandall explained. ‘Public/private partnerships can and should be built on the traditions of concession in the national parks, ski areas in the national forests, outfitting services on publicly managed rivers, campsite reservation services, and more.’

The American Recreation Coalition is a non-profit federation that provided a unified voice for recreation interests to ensure their full and active participation in government policy-making on issues such as public land management, energy and liability.
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L-130 (EWG ClearView - ARC opposes California Desert Wilderness Protection)

Recent polls show that almost two-thirds of the state supports the California Desert Protection Act (CDPA), an initiative which would grant wilderness status or national park protection to over 7.5 million acres of Mojave Desert. Mining companies, along with ranching and ORV interest, oppose the CDPA...

The bill is also opposed by a number of coalitions like the Desert Conservation Institute and the California Desert Coalition. The California Desert Coalition is made up of: American Recreation Coalition, National Inholders Association, National Rifle Association {ARC member}, National Outdoor Coalition {ARC member}, California State Board of Forestry, California Mining Association, California Cattlemen's Association, Western Timber Association, Western Mining Council, Gun Owners of America, Sports Coach Owners International, Western Oil and Gas Association, Good Sam Club {ARC sustaining member}, California Wildlife Federation, California Forest Protective Association, Public Land Users Alliance, California Off-Road Vehicle Association, Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep, American Motorcyclists Association {ARC sustaining member}, Dirt Alert, California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc., Regional Council of Rural Counties, California All-Terrain Vehicle Association, Southern Council of Conservation Clubs, California Sportsmen's Lobby, Gun Owners of California, San Diego Off-road Vehicle Association, Newberry Springs Property Owners Association, Searles Valley Community Services Council and I Care.
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L-131 (e-mail posting - ARC promotes air pollution)

A group called the Foundation for Clean Air Progress has been calling on groups and businesses around the country to join local chapters to promote a clean air message. I just though you should know who is actually behind the organization. While their stated purpose is fine, their true commitment to the issues is questionable, as are their motivations... Here’s who is involved with this project:

American Farm Bureau Federation, American Highway Users Alliance, American Recreation Coalition, Transportation Coalition for Clean Air, The National Grange, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, American Trucking Associations, American Corn Growers Association, The Road Information Program, American Bus Association, Service Station Dealers Association, Salt Institute, National Asphalt Pavement Association, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, Petroleum Marketers Association of America, American Petroleum Institute {ARC associate member}, Asphalt Institute, Associated General Contractors, National Private Truck Council, National Association of Fleet Administrators.
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L-133 (SGMA - ARC in Washington DC Insider)

{SGMA is an ARC sustaining member}
‘The goal of A Taste of the Outdoors,’ says Tom Cove, SGMA Vice President - Government Relations, is to raise Congressional and Administration awareness of the role outdoor recreation plays in the lives of all Americans. The first event, which included hands-on displays of tents, canoes and kayaks, mountain bikes, sleeping bags and backpacks, led to a dialogue with members and aides of committees influential to the direction of public lands legislation and policy.’...

Participants will develop valuable relationships with their Representatives and Senators and the outdoor industry will demonstrate it is a united entity with an important agenda. This follow-up to the successful event in 1995 is a logical step in developing political momentum for the outdoor industry.

[Cove says]: ‘the start of the 105th Congress presents tremendous opportunities for the outdoor recreation industry. During this session, some of the most important recreation-related legislation in years will be introduced and debated on the floor of Congress...’

A Taste of the Outdoors and Lobby Days will be held during the Great Outdoors Week June 9-13, a program of coordinated activities organized by the American Recreation Coalition. Contact Derrick Crandall (202) 682-9530.
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(USATA - ARC promotes Grand Canyon Overflights)

‘Further, the American Recreation Coalition (ARC), an impressive group of organizations representing various aspects of the recreation industry, recently sent a letter to Interior Secretary Babbit and Transportation Secretary Slater signed by each of those organizations including USATA supporting the ARAC process as a consensus approach to striking a balance on the overflight issue. Organizations in the coalition include the Air Access Coalition, Alaska Professional Hunters Association, American Motorcycle Association, International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Park Hospitality Association, National Tour Association, Personal Watercraft Industry Association, Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and Western States Tourism Policy Council.’
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(USATA - ARC promotes motorized wreckreation)

‘The preliminary meeting was arranged by ARC President Derrick Crandall at the request of Jim Santini. Participants included representatives of the motorcycle, snowmobile, snow ski and recreational vehicle organizations which have been contesting with land managers on the noise issue front for many years. "The issue of noise at national parks is not limited just to the air tour industry," said Santini. "The evidence is clear that the NPS grand plan is to eliminate anything from parks which produce any level of noise above a whisper," he added.’
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(Florida Four Wheel Drive - Acknowledges ARC leadership)

Establish/develop and maintain communications and cooperation with other affiliated land use groups and associations and their key people: e.g. American Recreation Coalition, American Motorcycle Association, American Mining Congress, National Cattlemen Association, American Forest Industries Assn, State Wildlife Federations, National Riflemen Association, National Public Lands Council, Congressional Committees, Florida Trail Riders, etc.
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(Take Pride in America - A Motorized PR Scam)

Some of the other motorized groups who have signed on as Charter Partners for "Take Pride in America" include the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), American Motorcycle Association (AMA), Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), Specialty Vehicle Industry Association (SVIA), American Recreation Coalition (ARC), Americans for Responsible Recreation Access (ARRA) and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC).
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This document was prepared by Wild Wilderness. To learn more about ongoing industry-backed congressional efforts to motorize, commercialize, and privatize America's public lands, contact:

Scott Silver, Executive Director,
248 NW Wilmington Avenue,  Bend  OR 97701
Phone (541) 385-5261    E-mail: ssilver@wildwilderness.org