Funding for the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account Will Ensure Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation Industry Continues to Be Recognized by the Federal Government

Washington, D.C. – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) applauded the Senate Appropriations Committee for including funding for the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) in its FY2019 Commerce, Justice and Science markup.

The markup set FY2019 funding for ORSA at $1.5 million, meeting the funding levels necessary to survey the economic impact of the outdoor recreation industry in the coming fiscal year.

The BEA, which is the government body responsible for calculating U.S. GDP, launched ORSA in 2017 to complement its overall statistical analysis by providing detailed insights into the economic impact of the outdoor recreation industry. The industry had previously not been included in U.S. GDP calculations despite years of calls to do so by industry leaders.

In February, ORSA released its highly-anticipated initial statistical findings on the outdoor recreation industry, showing the sector makes up 2 percent of U.S. GDP and accounts for $673 billion in annual gross domestic output. This impact exceeds that of key U.S. industries such as farming and computer manufacturing. In addition, ORSA found the outdoor recreation economy grew by 3.8 percent in 2016, exceeding the 2.8 percent growth of the overall U.S. economy during the same period.

“We are grateful to Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen for including this critically important funding in today’s markup,” said Thom Dammrich, ORR chair and president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “The outdoor recreation industry has long known the significant impact we have on the overall U.S. economy, but it wasn’t until BEA released its findings earlier this year that our impact was formally recognized by the government. Funding ORSA for FY2019 will ensure that we can build on the progress made in 2018 by studying the industry’s economic impact at the national and regional levels and demonstrating that outdoor recreation deserves to be a national priority.”

Today’s markup gives the outdoor recreation industry a major victory as it seeks to continue the government’s formal recognition of its economic impact in the United States. On Tuesday, the Commerce, Justice and Science subcommittee held its markup for ORSA funding in FY2019, paving the way for today’s action at the full committee level.

“Despite being established only last year, ORSA has been instrumental in our efforts to show policymakers just how important our industry is to the American economy,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, ORR vice chair and president of the RV Industry Association. “We will continue working as an industry to ensure that the growth of the outdoor recreation economy is matched by commonsense policies that lead to smart investments in the infrastructure of our national lands and waterways.”

“It is critical for lawmakers to understand the full economic impact of outdoor recreation in the United States as they debate policies that will shape our industry in the years ahead,” said Amy Roberts, Executive Director of the Outdoor Industry Association. “The analysis provided by ORSA is an invaluable tool for our leaders in Washington and demonstrates that a healthy outdoor recreation industry is essential to the strength of the national economy. We want to thank Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Shaheen for making the funding of ORSA a priority and to Senator Gardner for his continued support for the program.”

As Congress takes the next steps in its funding, ORSA is expected to release revised outdoor recreation economic data this fall, with updates to the prototype figures released in February. At the same time, ORR members will be advocating for final passage of an ORSA funding bill in both chambers of Congress.

The marine industry is facing a massive workforce shortage and one reason behind it is the lack of quality education options. Apprenticeships help bridge that gap by allowing students to learn from experienced employees, in a real world environment.

There’s a new apprenticeship bill moving in the Senate that needs your support. Last week, Senator Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training Networks for Employers’ Required Skills Act of 2018 (PARTNERS Act). Senator Baldwin’s bill builds off the bipartisan House PARTNERS Act and would enable employer-led partnerships to develop and expand apprenticeships and work-based learning programs. 

Please take a moment to urge your Members of Congress to sign-on to the PARTNERS Act. 

Currently, U.S. marine industry is facing a triple threat when it comes to tariffs: Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese aluminum sheet, and 301 tariffs on nearly 300 marine related products. As a result, our industry is experiencing rising manufacturing costs, retaliatory tariffs, and order cancelations.
 
As a result of the Trump Administration’s decision to end Section 232 steel and aluminum tariff exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, all three countries have sparked retaliatory tariffs on the United States. Boats entering the EU will face a 25 percent tariff while Canada is applying a 10 percent tariff and Mexico a 15 percent tariff. This will make our industry less globally competitive in our top three export markets.

Tell President Trump to make a deal that immediately withdraws these tariffs. Without a solution, our industry – and the entire U.S. economy – will suffer. Take action NOW.

A workforce bill that would allocate $100,000 of funding to the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association to build and support workforce development programs has passed the Massachusetts state Senate.

The recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of over $2 billion dollars and employs over 11,000 men and women, according to the MMTA.

“This amendment will go a long way in helping the MMTA fill the workforce demands of the boating industry in Massachusetts and specifically help work more with our members, educational partners and job seekers,” the MMTA said.

Amendment 301 will now go to Conference Committee vote and then move on to the Governor.

President Donald J. Trump has proclaimed June as Great Outdoors Month® – marking the 16th time a President has recognized the importance of the Great Outdoors with a Presidential proclamation.  He is the third President to celebrate Great Outdoors Month® and the fifth to take action on either the Month or its predecessor, Great Outdoors Week.  The proclamation, which was requested by more than two dozen organizations, encourages all Americans to get outdoors and enjoy healthy, active fun.  #EscapeTheIndoors this June with tens of thousands of diverse events – on land and water – in all 50 states!

To help commemorate the proclamation, Trump’s Secretary of the Department of the Interior Ryan Zinke recorded a brief video message encouraging Americans to get outside.

“During Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate the unmatched magnificence of our Nation’s mountains, waters, canyons, and coastlines. Spending time in the great outdoors, especially during summer, is an American tradition. Every American should take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our natural wonders, which stretch from coast to coast and beyond.

“As Americans, we are blessed with many stunning lands and waters that surround each of our communities. Our numerous forests, wildlife refuges, and local parks offer endless opportunities for recreation, adventure, and renewal. Early morning fishing trips and the thrill of summiting mountain peaks with friends create lasting memories. The splendid beauty of a sunset can inspire, while the solitude of a weekend camping trip often brings long-sought tranquility.

“As summer approaches, I encourage all Americans to step outside and appreciate America’s natural beauty and to practice good stewardship of our environment. By enjoying our great outdoors, we enhance our collective efforts to preserve our natural lands and waters, protecting them for future generations.” – President Donald J. Trump

To learn more about great outdoors month, and see if your state participates, click here.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, along with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recently published a new free booklet to help kids get hooked on fishing. Those who are interested can download the Junior Ranger “Let’s Go Fishing!” activity booklet, which will introduce them and their families to fishing and encourage healthy and responsible outdoor recreation.

“The Junior Ranger fishing booklet is a great tool to inspire future anglers to get out on the waters and enjoy the American pastime of fishing,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “Fishing in the rivers and lakes of Montana as a kid instilled in me a lifelong love of the sport.”

In the coming weeks, kids can pick up a print version of the booklet at more than 500 national parks, national wildlife refuges, and national fish hatcheries that offer fishing. Upon completion of the booklet, kids will be sworn in as Junior Ranger Anglers and receive a National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service junior ranger badge.

For more information about the Junior Ranger “Let’s Go Fishing!” program or to download a copy of the booklet, visit here.

For a list of the national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries participating in the program, click here.

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to abide by all legal and regulatory requirements as the Trump administration reportedly considers the year-round sale of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol by volume (E15).

As the lawmakers noted, the EPA has previously and publicly concluded that it does not have the statutory authority to issue a waiver allowing for the year-round sale of E15 gasoline, which is currently restricted during summer months to lower emissions and protect human health. Udall and Welch said that the EPA should resist making major policy changes based on political considerations that lack scientific or legal basis, and that would worsen air pollution.

“We write to you to ensure that EPA abides by all legal and regulatory requirements when considering allowing the year-round sale of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol by volume (E15),” Udall and Welch wrote. “Currently, E15 must meet the volatility specification for conventional gasoline control areas of 9.0 pound per square inch (psi) during the summer (June 1 to September 15). The current summertime restrictions limiting gasoline volatility are intended to lower evaporative emissions to control the formation of ground-level ozone and to protect human health.”

“We are concerned with recent press reports that President Trump has directed the EPA to allow year-round E15 sales during closed door negotiations over the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) held at the White House with industry stakeholders and Members of Congress,” the lawmakers continued. “Previously, EPA has publicly concluded that it does not have the statutory authority to issue such a waiver, and the reported decision to reverse this conclusion appears to be driven by political considerations, rather than scientific or legal analysis. Legal and policy uncertainty around the RFS coming from these private White House negotiations can disrupt fuel markets, provide opportunities for financial speculators, and undermine the investment in second generation biofuels that reduce carbon pollution, a key goal of the RFS.”

“The plain reading of the Clean Air Act and EPA’s long-standing interpretation strongly suggest that EPA lacks authority to unilaterally allow year-round sales of E15 with the extension of a 1.0 psi waiver,” Udall and Welch wrote. “The reported basis for this change in position, directed by the White House, lack any scientific or legal explanation to the public. We are very concerned that career EPA officials may be being directed to reverse over 25 years of the agency’s position to manufacture legal and scientific justifications for a politically-directed decision on E15.”

Udall and Welch requested responses from EPA to a series of specific questions regarding the reported directive from the White House by July 9, 2018. The two lawmakers are also sponsors of the GREENER Fuels Act, legislation to reform the RFS by mitigating harmful environmental impacts and advancing the next generation of biofuels.

The full text of the letter is available here.

Boating United has issued an alert encouraging all industry stakeholders to take action and tell the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The NMMA, MRAA, and other industry supporters have worked diligently alongside our fishing coalition partners to open red snapper fishing season, while placing an emphasis on conservation.  

The alert comes as new regulations were proposed that would allow a limited 2018 season for red snapper in South Atlantic federal waters. Red snapper has increased in abundance over the last several years – at an even faster rate than predicted by the rebuilding plan. Surveys and angler reports also show a revitalized fishery.

Amendment 43 would allow a limited harvest of one red snapper per person per day. Additionally, fishing would only be permitted on weekends, and the season’s timeframe would be clearly defined.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has already approved Amendment 43. Now it’s time for NOAA to follow suit.

NOAA Fisheries needs to hear from the angling community about opening the season. Please join MRAA in urging NOAA to support Amendment 43.