fly fishing, conservation and politics.
Each week, I have the pleasure of joining Mountain Journal founder Todd Wilkinson in our “The Week That Is,” column where we discuss topical events relating to the nation’s capital city and the public land West.
This week’s conversation looks at the impacts outdoor recreation on the character of the backcountry. We need to ask ourselves some important questions.
Read it here > What Toll On Wildness When Humans Want It All?
With the new gig I don’t have nearly the time I used have to blog about the conservation and outdoor recreation stories like I want to. The good news is Chris Hunt of Eat More Brook Trout fame has unleashed a corker.
His four part series “Florida’s Dirty Little Secret” describes in stunning detail the problems facing the coastal estuaries in south Florida and the impact it has on outdoor recreation. It is both eye opening and a call to action.
Part 1: “It’s feast or famine for the coastal estuaries of south Florida, and while the solution to restoring balance to these vital ecological and recreational wonderlands seems simple–and it frankly is, assuming the political will can be mustered–powerful interests stand in the way.”
Part 2: “This heavily subsidized industry is largely the cause of one of the most egregious environmental problems in the Southeast, and if you’re a saltwater angler from Florida, or someone who travels to the Sunshine State to chase inshore trophies like snook, tarpon and redfish, you might already know the havoc Big Sugar wreaks on the state’s southern estuaries.”
Part 3: “But unless we act, we’re just a bunch of whiners. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s true. Complaining about a problem without offering a solution just makes for shrill rhetoric. It’s unproductive, to be sure. For more, see: Congress, United States.”
Part 4: “But the challenge isn’t so much proving that recreation fishing deserves a more prominent seat at the table. Instead, it’s finding a way to play the game by a set of rules we likely need more help with. While Big Sugar contributes millions every year to political action committees and candidates–and spends millions more lobbying for the status quo–the recreational fishing industry does precious little.”
The bottom line is never more clear. Access to healthy habitat creates recreational opportunity that leads to economic activity.
As Hunt so aptly states in his closing post, “Yes, the system is failing us. As anglers, it’s clear that we have the numbers. We have the data. We have the impact. But, unless we start putting the money where our mouths are, Big Sugar, Big Oil, mining, ethanol, coal–the industries that quietly spend money in D.C and in congressional districts from coast to coast to protect their fiefdoms–we’re going to lose our resources, both fresh and salty.”
The question now is one of political will. Policy discussions have failed us. We can make the case until the cows come home and the facts back us up, but if the policy makers ignore us then it is time to go political.
Have we had enough of policy makers who ignore the economic importance of outdoor recreation economy and dismiss the benefits of outdoor recreation and venues they require?
Will we start to demand more action and less lip service?
I hope so. How about you?
I submitted this letter to the editor to the Staunton News Leader. It ran today.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, especially hunting and fishing on public lands, then President Obama deserves your vote. The simple fact is that without public lands like the George Washington National Forest or the Shenandoah National Park, Valley sportsmen would be hard-pressed to find places to hunt and fish. Even if you don’t hunt or fish, these public lands provide exceptional recreational venues for people to play outside.
Our public lands are also an important economic engine here in the Valley. We have hunting, fishing, biking, hiking and camping shops and an archery manufacturer all close by to Staunton. They all provide sustainable local jobs and help attract visitors to the Valley who buy food and gas, stay in motels, eat in our local restaurants and visit those stores.
The outdoor recreation economy is serious business. It is responsible for 6.1 million direct American jobs, $646 billion in direct consumer spending and $80 billion in combined state, local and federal tax revenue.
President Obama has made outdoor recreation a priority since taking office, and his efforts have been important for sportsmen here in the Valley and across the nation. His America’s Great Outdoor initiative is a concrete example of his emphasis on outdoor recreation. He has consistently looked for ways to expand access and recreational opportunity on public lands. His budget proposals have included funding for critical fish and wildlife conservation programs. He understands that our hunting and fishing traditions and heritage are based on public lands where everyone can have a chance to hunt, fish or enjoy the wild places.
As sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts, we need a president who understands how important public lands are for both recreation and the local economic benefits they provide. President Obama has shown he understands, he has put his words into actions, and he deserves another term in office.
For too long those of us in the outdoor recreation industry have been given a pat on the head and told to “go play outside” by the politicians and policy makers alike. We have been treated as “hobbyists” who don’t really count when it comes to the U.S. economy. Well thanks to a new report, The Outdoor Recreation Economy from the Outdoor Industry Association we can now tell those folks that outdoor recreation means business. And it is time we did.
The outdoor recreation economy is serious business. It is responsible for:
What concerns me and should concern you, is our elected officials – at all levels of government – give short shrift to that economic activity. They ignore those numbers in favor of other industries who, with their better funded advocacy efforts, have convinced policy makers and politicians that their sector is more important than ours.
When that happens the infrastructure that supports the outdoor recreation economy suffers. We see public land and the recreational opportunities they provide relegated to second class status.
So where does the outdoor recreation economy stack up compared to other sectors? Here are a couple of comparisons:
The $646 billion in direct consumer spending annually is greater than:
When it comes to employment the more than 6 million American jobs that are directly dependent on outdoor recreation is greater than:
What is important to understand is these comparisons are based on direct economic impact and do not include indirect, implied, multiplier or ripple effects. If those effects were included the economic impact would be substantially larger. According to the report, when outdoor recreation related spending ripples through the economy it creates $1.6 trillion in economic impact and 12 million jobs.
“Preserving access to outdoor recreation opportunities protects the economy, the businesses, the communities and the people who depend on the ability to play outside.” — OIA’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, June 2012.
What underpins this economic activity is the network local, state and federal public lands and waters. A network as important to the economic viability of this country as the other public works infrastructure such as the schools, water treatment, roads and airports we depend on.
When the policy makers and politicians demean our public lands they show either their ignorance (to be charitable) or there political bigotry (more likely). While politicians can be expected to say what they think will get them elected, ignorance has no place in policy making. This report is a powerful, factual tool that should be part of every debate on the value of our public lands and the importance of conservation of those resources.
“Outdoor recreation can grow jobs and drive the economy if we manage and invest in parks, waters and trails as a system designed to sustain economic dividends.” — OIA’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, June 2012.
Recreational venues in our nation, such as seashores, forests, parks, and wilderness, must be recognized for the important role they play in the economy. These public venues form the foundation of a national outdoor recreation system. Our policy makers should invest more, not less in these important assets to our nation’s economy.
This new report arms us with facts that must be used to show our elected officials just how important outdoor recreation is to our economy. These are undeniable economic, social and health benefits that are no longer “nice to have,” they are a “must have.”
You can help spread the word by emailing the report (here’s the link) to your elected officials. Just tell them: “Outdoor recreation means business,read this!”