The Recreation Not Red-Tape Act

The Recreation Not Red-Tape (RNR) Act, sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, removes bureacratic barriers to outdoor recreation, making it easier for more Americans to get outdoors, which benefits America’s economy.

What is the recreation economy?

The recreation economy is the jobs and businesses that thrive on getting people outdoors and having fun! Everything from small diners and lodges to outfitters and guides make up the recreation economy.

In 2014, outdoor recreation contributed $646 billion to America’s economy and supported 6 million jobs. Most importantly, jobs in recreation are red-white-and-blue jobs right here in Oregon and across the country.

From Oregonians' ideas to a bill

Last summer, Ron hosted a Listening Tour across Oregon to hear from outfitters, guides and everyday Oregonians (all outdoor enthusiasts!) about what could help them grow their businesses and boost Oregon's recreation economy. He visited each of Oregon's 7 Wonders and met with business owners, community leaders and Oregonians enjoying the outdoors along the way.

What he heard was that businesses and people wanting to experience Oregon’s great outdoors were often bogged down by bureaucratic red tape. Ron heard examples of how guides couldn’t get permits on time and how it was hard for Oregonians to access nearby public lands.

Ron then took Oregonians’ ideas and incorporated them into the Recreation Not Red-Tape (RNR) Act.

If you want to see more photos and details about all the places Ron stopped, check out this map or use the #7WondersOregon hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

What the Recreation Not Red-Tape (RNR) Act does:

  • Expedites recreation permitting
  • Encourages access for veterans, seniors and youth
  • For the first time, makes recreation a priority for public land use
  • Helps maintain recreation trails & infrastructure on public lands

What people in Oregon are saying:

Kirk Richardson, Director, KEEN Effect - “As a brand rooted in the outdoors, KEEN feels a responsibility to protect and preserve access to our special outdoor landscapes. Senator Wyden’s Recreation Not Red-tape (RNR) bill would allow our collective Industry to be viewed as a Sector, sincerely capable of influencing policy as it relates to the preservation of, and access to, the backbone of our businesses – America’s public lands.”

Adam Cramer, Executive Director of Outdoor Alliance - “Senator Wyden’s bill is a thoughtful, integrated approach to reconnecting Americans to their public lands. The RNR Act makes meaningful improvements across the board, including improvements to trails, a permitting system that enables new visitors to get outside, and the organic National Recreation Area designation that connects places with the experiences that people have on them.”

Pete Wallstrom, Momentum River Expeditions, Ashland, OR - “I also wanted to say that Wyden's bill has me as excited as I have been in a long time. I feel like it has a chance, and it would help with one of the biggest things holding us back - developing experiences that appeal to millennials and foreign travelers."

Lee Davis, Executive Director, Mazamas - "The Mazamas have a 120 year legacy of promoting and stewarding public lands in and around the Pacific Northwest and all of our members care deeply about our public lands and the experiences-of-a-lifetime that they provide. We greatly appreciate Sen. Wyden's efforts to provide more people with those opportunities and to help steward the public lands that make those experiences possible."

Peter Bragdon, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Columbia Sportswear Company - "We would like to thank Senator Wyden for recognizing the importance of public lands in our state of Oregon, and across the country. Outdoor recreation generates $12.8 billion in consumer spending and 141,000 jobs in Oregon alone and proper planning and management are key to growing this important sector of the economy. We look forward to working with our Senator and other leaders in Congress on this important legislation."

Sam Drevo, Director of Northwest River Guides - "As an outfitter and guide, I have waited years to secure permits that would enable me to take new visitors out on Oregon's public lands. I'm thrilled to see Senator Wyden's Recreation Not Red-tape Act, which will reduce bureaucratic barriers and be a boost to my small business, which works to get more people outside."

Outdoor Industry Association Executive Director Amy Roberts - "The $646 billion outdoor recreation industry is a powerful economic engine that relies on access to and funding for public lands and waters. We are grateful to Senator Wyden for introducing the RNR Act, which supports the millions of jobs in our industry and provides for appropriate land management to support healthy communities and healthy economies across the country.”

Mark Menlove, Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance - “Access to public lands is a crucial issue for Winter Wildlands Alliance and the backcountry skiers, snowshoers and mountaineers we represent. Senator Wyden’s RNR Act is a comprehensive effort to recognize the importance of recreation on public lands, and put it on equal footing with other uses of public lands and water.”

Geraldine Link, Director of Public Policy, National Ski Areas Association - "The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) supports the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act because it authorizes retention of ski area permit fees locally - providing much needed additional revenue in support of the Forest Service recreation program and ultimately enhancing the recreational experience of ski area guests year-round."

Phil Powers, President and CEO of American Alpine Club - “Senator Wyden’s RNR Act is a testament to the importance of public lands and recreation to this country. Its thoughtful updates to permitting is a testament to the work of American Alpine Club's former president, the late Doug Walker, to reform permitting and make it easier for young people to experience the outdoors."

Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton (Ret), Managing Director,Vet Voice Foundation - "The Vet Voice Foundation is very grateful for the work Senator Wyden and his great team are doing to promote outdoor recreation. Our men and women returning from the Nation's wars understand in a profound sense how important our parks and public lands are to healing from the wounds of war. 'Walking off the war' is a phrase often heard in our world and Senator Wyden's work is critical to the health of our Nation in general, and our troops in particular."

Mark Singleton, Executive Director of American Whitewater - "American Whitewater thanks Senator Wyden for his leadership in recognizing the importance of outdoor recreation on America’s public lands and waters. The RNR Act will improve access to the outdoors and make a outdoor recreation a priority for our public land managers. Making it easier for Americans to get out and enjoy the outdoors will provide public health benefits, enhance the economy of local communities, and encourage stewardship and conservation of our public lands and waters."

Rhett Lawrence, Conservation Director, Oregon Sierra Club - "We applaud Senator Wyden for recognizing the value of the outdoors and taking steps to ease the way for more people to enjoy all our public lands have to offer. It's a fitting step to increase outdoor opportunities for all Americans in this centennial year of our national parks."

Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation - “The Recreation Not Red-Tape Act strengthens a fundamental quality of our nation’s public lands – access. By removing barriers to access and to enjoy our national parks, wildlife refuges and national heritage sites, Latinos will have greater opportunities to explore their passion for the outdoors, experience the health benefits of recreation and solidify their role as stewards of our nation’s public lands.”

Mike Van Abel, executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association - "IMBA applauds Senator Wyden for introducing legislation that emphasizes the importance of both recreation and conservation values. Creating a system of National Recreation Areas provides a valuable land protection measure that allows Americans to enjoy mountain biking and other forms of healthy outdoor activities in well-preserved natural areas."

Paul Kundtz, Northwest Director of The Trust for Public Land - “The Trust for Public Land is grateful to Senator Wyden for introducing legislation that will promote getting more people out on America’s public lands. As an organization that works to connect people to the outdoors and nature, we recognize that outdoor recreation is a critical part of the Northwest’s heritage and economy. Senator Wyden’s bill will remove roadblocks that discourage new recreational opportunities and support efforts at federal agencies that get more people to experience the great outdoors. This is good for people, for our special places, and for our future, while benefiting businesses, communities, and families whose livelihoods depends on the outdoor recreation economy.”

Northwest Youth Corps - “Northwest Youth Corps enthusiastically supports the Wyden Recreation bill. This Act will create opportunities for all Americans connect with their public lands in a meaningful way. The bill addresses many of the obstacles preventing Americans from participating in outdoor activities, volunteering on public lands, and participating in important service work on our treasured landscapes.”

Tom Vogl, CEO of The Mountaineers - “We applaud Senator Wyden’s efforts to highlight these issues on a national level. As members of the Outdoor Access Working Group, a steering committee tasked with finding opportunities to improve the permitting processes for facilitated groups access, we are thrilled at how this bill addresses permitting on public lands. These changes will reduce barriers and make it possible for more people to experience our wild places.”

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