Senator Wyden Releases Outdoor Recreation Bill Draft

This past summer Senator Ron Wyden held a series of listening sessions across the state of Oregon where he heard how Oregon’s travel and tourism economy has grown to the point that it’s become a huge economic engine. Travel and tourism contribute about $10.3 billion to the state’s economy and provide 100,000 direct jobs. In a state with more Wild and Scenic Rivers than any other state in the nation, we know that wild rivers are at the heart of what makes Oregon such a great place for both residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor recreation. 

 

As an outcome of these listening sessions, in which our members and business partners participated in, Senator Wyden recognized that the recreation and tourism economy has great potential to boost communities large and small. Importantly, he recognized that Congress has an opportunity to assist communities across the nation that depend on outdoor recreation in realizing this economic potential.

 

Senator Wyden is circulating a discussion draft outline for legislation that would support outdoor recreation, and he is seeking feedback. We particularly encourage our Oregon members to weigh in with Senator Wyden to thank him for his leadership. In the coming months, we will be discussing these ideas with our colleagues in the outdoor recreation community with the goal of helping Senator Wyden in developing legislation that embraces and promotes outdoor recreation and the economic benefits it provides.

 

Read the discussion draft and submit your feedback at https://www.wyden.senate.gov/priorities/recreation-economy

 

His ideas include the following: