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Kind Outlines Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation, Earth Day Agenda

04/24/12

WASHINGTON, DC – In honor of Earth Day, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind held a press conference this morning to highlight the importance of protecting and preserving the environment.  Kind discussed the importance of Wisconsin’s natural resources in terms of the contribution to our state’s economy and laid out an Earth Day Agenda for Western Wisconsin. 

“We are fortunate to have an abundance of natural resources right here in our own backyard,” said Rep. Kind.  “It’s important that we protect and preserve the environment, not only for our children, but for the economic impact the recreation industry has on our state.”
 
Wisconsin’s robust outdoor recreation industry has a significant impact on jobs and the economy. Annually, the industry contributes $9.7 billion to the economy, supports 129,000 jobs, generates $570 million in annual state tax revenue, and produces $7.5 billion annually in retail sales and services across Wisconsin, according to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. In addition, hunting and angling support 57,000 jobs in Wisconsin. 
 
In addition, Kind outlined an agenda for western Wisconsin that includes: 
  • Maintaining funding for conservation programs through the conservation title of the Farm Bill, which will provide farmers the resources to make it easier to support our natural resources and will help protect our rivers and streams. 
  • Protecting the Mississippi River Basin from increased sediment and nutrient flows that gum up the river and poison its ecosystems. The Mississippi River annually contributes an estimated $1 billion in recreational benefits to the region.
  • Supporting National Wildlife Refuges and Parks to provide vital protection for wildlife on America’s multiple-use federal lands. Western Wisconsin is home to three national wildlife refuges, helping our region benefit from millions of dollars these federal lands generate in economic activity.
    • Studies show the Necedah and Trempealeau refuges provide $6.5 million in total recreation benefits, supporting a quarter of a million visitors per year
  • Fostering appreciation for the outdoors to ensure future generations will continue to love and cherish the outdoors and work to protect our lands and waters.

“I will continue my work to ensure our public lands are protected, our sportsmen and women have access to these activities, and farmers are given the resources they need to be good stewards of the land,” said Kind.