America’s Outdoor Recreation Act Moves Forward

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA) passed out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources via unanimous consent this week, a testament to its bipartisan appeal and transformative impact on recreation access. AORA is a first-of-its-kind recreation package that will boost local and national economies and provide more Americans — especially those in underserved areas — greater access to green spaces and public lands and waters while not costing taxpayers a dime to implement.

The outdoor recreation industry contributes $862 billion to the national economy, makes up nearly 2% of national GDP and generates 4.5 million jobs according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is a huge economic driver for both rural and urban communities in every corner of the country, underscoring the importance of adequate infrastructure funding and improved access to recreation opportunities across communities.

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act would: 

• enable permit streamlining to ease burdens on outfitters and guides and improve access to outdoor experiences; 

• improve access to recreation on public lands and waters; 
• ensure access to green spaces in underserved communities; 
• update outdoor recreation infrastructure; 
• develop, improve, and complete long range trails; 
• and invest in rural economic development.