WASHINGTON, D.C., May 4, 2017 — In an open letter published yesterday in the Wall Street Journal, MRAA and executives from more than 100 outdoor recreation industry companies praised the agenda being set by Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke during the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency. These leading executives represent many segments of the $887 billion outdoor recreation industry including the shooting, hunting, archery, camping, fishing, marine, motorcycle, powersports, hospitality and recreation vehicle sectors.
In the letter, the industry shares its excitement to work with Secretary Zinke, a strong supporter of outdoor recreation. Since his confirmation, Secretary Zinke has been working closely with the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) to increase access to recreational opportunities and enjoyment on all federal lands and waters. In addition to increasing access, ORIR is working with the Administration to establish public-private partnerships as an entrepreneurial mechanism for addressing part of the $20 billion in deferred maintenance and to achieve a better balance in decisions involving recreation and conservation.
“MRAA is proud to join America’s leading outdoor recreation associations and businesses in urging this administration to realize the importance of the outdoor recreation industry,” said MRAA Public Policy Manager, William Higgins, “With more than a dozen of the country’s largest marine retailers signing on to this letter, we have sent a clear message that the recreational boating industry is ready to work with the President and Secretary Zinke to expand boating infrastructure and safeguard access to our nation’s waterways.”
Many in the outdoor recreation industry are encouraged by the President’s willingness to tackle America’s long-term infrastructure challenges and his promise of a trillion dollar infrastructure initiative that will increase access to the nation’s recreation lands through better bridges, roads, waterways, and restored infrastructure within our nation’s parks.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
