Outdoor Alliance responds to Congress passing the Natural Resources Management Act

(Washington, DC) February 26, 2019 – Today, the House passed the Natural Resources Management Act (S.47)by a margin of 363-62, a package of public lands and outdoor recreation bills including the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Two weeks ago, the Senate passed the bill 92-8, and it now goes to the President’s desk. Outdoor Alliance and its ten member groups have worked on many aspects of the package for years, and its passage is evidence that recreation and the outdoors remain a popular, bipartisan priority.

The package will have immediate benefits for the outdoor recreation community, who sent more than 30,000 messages to legislators in recent weeks in support of the package. “Today's passage of the public lands package is a demonstration of the deep affection with which Americans regard their public lands,” said Adam Cramer, Executive Director of Outdoor Alliance. “Across the country, protecting treasured places is an idea with incredibly deep bipartisan support, and thanks to outreach of and advocacy from people across the country, lawmakers are starting to get that message. We're fired up to see the package through the House and hopeful for more good things to come.”

“We are thrilled that the Natural Resources Management Act will include over 600 miles of new Wild and Scenic Rivers and over 1000 miles of river protection,” said Thomas O’Keefe, the Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director for American Whitewater. “Included in this legislation is expanded protection for the Rogue River, representing one of our nation’s classic multi-day river trips, with designation of several of its tributaries as Wild and Scenic.”

The reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of the central provisions of the package. “We’re thrilled to see Congress reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund as part of the public lands package passed today. The program has protected countless special places along our nation’s coasts while enhancing opportunities for recreation." Pete Stauffer, Environmental Director, Surfrider Foundation.

“The passage of the Natural Resources Management Act shows that the protection of our public lands and outdoor recreation is not a partisan issue. We’re proud of Congress for reaching across the aisle to make this happen. This is a huge win for the climbing community and for conservation,” said Chris Winter, Access Fund Executive Director.

The package protects key landscapes across the country, including several in Washington State. Tom Vogl, CEO of The Mountaineers, said “As always, we appreciated all of the work done with our Outdoor Alliance partners on numerous aspects of this package that will conserve public lands and support outdoor recreation across the county. The protection of the Methow Valley from industrial-scale mining and designation of the Mountains to Sound Greenway as National Heritage Area are two big wins for those of us in Washington state.”

Outdoor Alliance

Outdoor Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of organizations that include American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, The Mountaineers, American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, Colorado Mountain Club, and Surfrider Foundation. Outdoor Alliance unites backcountry skiers, hikers, paddlers, mountain bikers, boaters, climbers, and surfers who share a commitment to protecting public lands. For more information, visit outdooralliance.org.