U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

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OUTDOOR RECREATION: VAST IMPACT OF THE 

GREAT OUTDOORS 

HEARING 

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DIGITAL COMMERCE AND 

CONSUMER PROTECTION 

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND 

COMMERCE 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

APRIL 27, 2017 

Serial No. 115–27 

( 

Printed for the use of the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

energycommerce.house.gov 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE 

GREG WALDEN, Oregon 

Chairman 

JOE BARTON, Texas 

Vice Chairman 

FRED UPTON, Michigan 

JOHN SHIMKUS, Illinois 

TIM MURPHY, Pennsylvania 

MICHAEL C. BURGESS, Texas 

MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee 

STEVE SCALISE, Louisiana 

ROBERT E. LATTA, Ohio 

CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS, Washington 

GREGG HARPER, Mississippi 

LEONARD LANCE, New Jersey 

BRETT GUTHRIE, Kentucky 

PETE OLSON, Texas 

DAVID B. MCKINLEY, West Virginia 

ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois 

H. MORGAN GRIFFITH, Virginia 

GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida 

BILL JOHNSON, Ohio 

BILLY LONG, Missouri 

LARRY BUCSHON, Indiana 

BILL FLORES, Texas 

SUSAN W. BROOKS, Indiana 

MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma 

RICHARD HUDSON, North Carolina 

CHRIS COLLINS, New York 

KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota 

TIM WALBERG, Michigan 

MIMI WALTERS, California 

RYAN A. COSTELLO, Pennsylvania 

EARL L. ‘‘BUDDY’’ CARTER, Georgia 

FRANK PALLONE, JR., New Jersey 

Ranking Member 

BOBBY L. RUSH, Illinois 

ANNA G. ESHOO, California 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

GENE GREEN, Texas 

DIANA DEGETTE, Colorado 

MICHAEL F. DOYLE, Pennsylvania 

JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY, Illinois 

G.K. BUTTERFIELD, North Carolina 

DORIS O. MATSUI, California 

KATHY CASTOR, Florida 

JOHN P. SARBANES, Maryland 

JERRY MCNERNEY, California 

PETER WELCH, Vermont 

BEN RAY LUJA ́ N, New Mexico 

PAUL TONKO, New York 

YVETTE D. CLARKE, New York 

DAVID LOEBSACK, Iowa 

KURT SCHRADER, Oregon 

JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, III, Massachusetts 

TONY CA ́ RDENAS, California 

RAUL RUIZ, California 

SCOTT H. PETERS, California 

DEBBIE DINGELL, Michigan 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DIGITAL COMMERCE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

ROBERT E. LATTA, Ohio 

Chairman 

GREGG HARPER, Mississippi 

Vice Chairman 

FRED UPTON, Michigan 

MICHAEL C. BURGESS, Texas 

LEONARD LANCE, New Jersey 

BRETT GUTHRIE, Kentucky 

DAVID B. MCKINLEY, West Virgina 

ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois 

GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida 

LARRY BUCSHON, Indiana 

MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma 

MIMI WALTERS, California 

RYAN A. COSTELLO, Pennsylvania 

GREG WALDEN, Oregon (ex officio) 

JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY, Illinois 

Ranking Member 

BEN RAY LUJA ́ N, New Mexico 

YVETTE D. CLARKE, New York 

TONY CA ́ RDENAS, California 

DEBBIE DINGELL, Michigan 

DORIS O. MATSUI, California 

PETER WELCH, Vermont 

JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, III, Massachusetts 

GENE GREEN, Texas 

FRANK PALLONE, JR., New Jersey (ex 

officio) 

(II) 

(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

Page 

Hon. Robert E. Latta, a Representative in Congress from the State of Ohio, 

opening statement ................................................................................................ 1 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 3 

Hon. Janice D. Schakowsky, a Representative in Congress from the State 

of Illinois, opening statement .............................................................................. 4 

Hon. Frank Pallone, Jr., a Representative in Congress from the State of 

New Jersey, opening statement .......................................................................... 6 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 7 

Hon. Greg Walden, a Representative in Congress from the State of Oregon, 

prepared statement .............................................................................................. 72 

WITNESSES

Hon. Donald S. Beyer, Jr., a Representative in Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia ................................................................................................ 8 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 10 

Amy Roberts, Executive Director, Outdoor Industry Association ........................ 13 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 16 

Ginger Mihalik, Executive Director, Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward 

Bound School, Outward Bound ........................................................................... 23 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 25 

Jeffrey Tooze, Vice President, Global Customs & Trade, Columbia Sportswear 

Company ............................................................................................................... 37 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 39 

Marc Berejka, Director of Government & Community Affairs, Recreational 

Equipment, Inc. .................................................................................................... 41 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 43 

Jeremy Jones, Founder and President, Protect Our Winters .............................. 45 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 47 

James Landers, Vice President of Government Affairs, Recreation Vehicle 

Industry Association ............................................................................................ 50 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 52 

SUBMITTED MATERIAL

Outdoor Industry Climate Declaration, submitted by Ms. Schakowsky ............. 73 

Letter of April 25, 2017, from Fred Ferguson, Vice President, Government 

and Industry Relations, Vista Outdoor, to Mr. Latta, submitted by Mr. 

Harper ................................................................................................................... 74 

Letter of April 26, 2017, from Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government 

Relations, American Motorcyclist Association, to Mr. Latta and Ms. Schakowsky, submitted by Mr. Harper ...................................................................... 76 

Statement of Business Backs Low-Carbon USA, submitted by Ms. Schakowsky .................................................................................................................. 78 

Fact sheet, ‘‘EPA’s Clean Power Plan, Climate Change and Outdoor Recreation,’’ Environmental Protection Agency, submitted by Ms. Schakowsky ..... 88 

(1) 

OUTDOOR RECREATION: VAST IMPACT OF 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DIGITAL COMMERCE AND CONSUMER

PROTECTION, 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE, 

Washington, DC. 

The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:05 a.m., in Room 

2123, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Robert Latta (chairman 

of the subcommittee) presiding. 

Members present: Representatives Latta, Harper, Upton, Burgess, Lance, Guthrie, McKinley, Bilirakis, Bucshon, Costello, Schakowsky, Dingell, Matsui, Welch, Green, and Pallone (ex officio). 

Staff present: Zach Dareshori, Staff Assistant; Blair Ellis, Press 

Secretary/Digital Coordinator; Melissa Froelich, Counsel, Digital 

Commerce and Consumer Protection; Giulia Giannangeli, Legislative Clerk, Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection/Communications and Technology; Alex Miller, Video Production Aide and 

Press Assistant; Paul Nagle, Chief Counsel, Digital Commerce and 

Consumer Protection; Mark Ratner, Policy Coordinator; Olivia 

Trusty, Professional Staff Member, Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection; Madeline Vey, Policy Coordinator, Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection; Hamlin Wade, Special Advisor for 

External Affairs; Everett Winnick, Director of Information Technology; Michelle Ash, Minority Chief Counsel, Digital Commerce 

and Consumer Protection; Jeff Carroll, Minority Staff Director; Jacqueline Cohen, Minority Senior Counsel; David Cwiertny, Minority 

Energy/Environment Fellow; Jean Fruci, Minority Policy Advisor, 

Energy and Environment; Lisa Goldman, Minority Counsel; Caroline Paris-Behr, Minority Policy Analyst; and Matt Schumacher, 

Minority Deputy Press Secretary and Digital Director. 

Mr. LATTA. Well, good morning. And I would like to call the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection to order, 

and I appreciate all of our witnesses that will be testifying today 

before the committee. And at this time, the Chair now recognizes 

himself for 5 minutes for an opening statement. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT E. LATTA, A 

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO 

And again, good morning, and welcome to the subcommittee. And 

today the subcommittee hearing is on the outdoor recreation industry. 

2 

As a current member and former chairman of the Congressional 

Sportsmen’s Caucus as well as someone who passionately enjoys all 

outdoor recreation has to offer, I am very excited to explore the industry with you today. The outdoor recreation industry is both diverse and far-reaching spanning many of the traditional major U.S. 

economic sectors and at the core of the industry is the American 

consumer. 

The outdoor recreation industry thrives when Americans are engaged, and now more than ever we are seeing more Americans getting involved. Every year, millions of Americans across the country 

go outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether they are camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, or enjoying many of the other pastimes outdoor recreation has to offer, Americans are actively engaged. 

Increasingly, more and more Americans are prioritizing outdoor 

recreation and in doing so helping grow the industry. Vast contributions made by the outdoor recreation to the overall U.S. economy reflect this trend. Americans spend $887 billion in outdoor 

recreation annually in helping to create 7.6 million jobs and generate almost $125 billion in Federal, State, and local tax revenue. 

In my home State of Ohio where residents come to enjoy the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 

and other public destinations near our beautiful Lake Erie, we 

have also seen significant economic benefits outdoor recreation has 

to offer. Over 53 percent of all Ohioans participate in outdoor recreation each year. With approximately 17.4 billion spent by consumers in this industry, outdoor recreation helps create almost 

200,000 jobs and 5.1 billion in wages and salaries alone in Ohio. 

In recognition of the outdoor recreation industry’s growing influence, Congress passed the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic 

Impact Act last year. Under this law, the Department of Commerce 

in consultation with Federal agencies will analyze outdoor recreation’s contributions to the Nation’s gross domestic product. 

Through this analysis all the economic activity generated by 

manufacturers, retailers, service providers, and thousands of other 

businesses supporting the outdoor recreation across the country 

will be quantified and incorporated into an annual Federal assessment of the national economy. As a result, the policymakers and 

stakeholders alike will have the necessary information to make 

critical decisions that will allow this industry to thrive for generations to come. 

In addition to economic output, outdoor recreation offers many 

other benefits. Outdoor recreation helps Americans get fit and lead 

healthy lives. Whether it be hiking, trail running, rafting, or the 

like, outdoor recreation offers Americans many opportunities to get 

outside and be active. Recent studies also suggest that investments 

in outdoor recreation may help reduce crime and improve education 

throughout our communities. 

Another example of the positive impact outdoor recreation has on 

our communities that I am excited to hear about today is Outward 

Bound’s veteran program. Outward Bound combines outdoor group 

adventures such as canoeing and hiking with facilitated therapeutic sessions designed to help build self-confidence, pride, trust, 

3 

and communication skills that help veterans readjust upon their 

return. 

Today as we gather to discuss the outdoor recreation industry, I 

look forward to hearing from our witnesses on how outdoor recreation is driving investment, creating jobs, and promoting innovation and working to establish more enjoyable consumer experiences 

through outdoor activities. For many States and communities, outdoor recreation is the cornerstone of economic activity. It creates 

jobs and generates revenue and spurs vital investments. Our goal 

is to continue that progress and ensure that the outdoor recreation 

industry remains a strong pillar in the United States economy. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Latta follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT E. LATTA

Good morning and welcome to the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

subcommittee hearing on the outdoor recreation industry. As a current member and 

former chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, as well as someone who 

passionately enjoys all that outdoor recreation has to offer, I am very excited to explore this industry with you all today. The outdoor recreation industry is both diverse and far reaching, spanning many of the traditional major U.S. economic sectors— and at the core of this industry is the American consumer. The outdoor recreation industry thrives when Americans are engaged and now more than ever we are 

seeing Americans get involved. 

Every year, millions of Americans across the country go outside and enjoy the 

great outdoors. Whether they are camping, fishing, hiking or enjoying many of the 

other pastimes outdoor recreation has to offer, Americans are actively engaged. Increasingly, more and more Americans are prioritizing outdoor recreation and, in 

doing so, helping grow this industry. The vast contributions made by outdoor recreation to the overall U.S. economy reflect this trend. Americans spend $887 billion 

in outdoor recreation annually helping create 7.6 million jobs and generating almost 

$125 billion in Federal, State, and local tax revenue. 

My home State of Ohio, where residents come together to enjoy the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and other public destinations 

near the beautiful Lake Erie, has also seen the significant economic benefits outdoor 

recreation has to offer. Over 53% of all Ohioans participate in outdoor recreation 

each year. With approximately $17.4 billion spent by consumers in this industry, 

outdoor recreation helps create almost 200,000 jobs and $5.1 billion in wages and 

salaries in Ohio alone. 

In recognition of the outdoor recreation industry’s growing influence, Congress 

passed the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act last year. Under this 

law, the Department of Commerce, in consultation with other Federal agencies, will 

analyze outdoor recreation’s contributions to the Nation’s gross domestic product. 

Through this analysis, all of the economic activity generated by manufacturers, retailers, service providers, and the thousands of other businesses supporting outdoor 

recreation across the country will be quantified and incorporated into an annual, 

Federal assessment of the national economy. As a result, policymakers and stakeholders alike will have the necessary information to make critical decisions that will 

allow this industry to thrive for generations to come. 

In addition to economic output, outdoor recreation offers many other benefits. 

Outdoor recreation helps Americans get fit and lead healthy lives. Whether it be 

hiking, trail running, rafting or the like, outdoor recreation offers Americans many 

opportunities to get outside and be active. Recent studies also suggest that investments in outdoor recreation may help reduce crime and improve education throughout our communities. Another example of the positive impact outdoor recreation has 

on our communities that I am excited to hear about today is Outward Bound’s veteran program. Outward Bound combines outdoor group adventures, such as canoeing and hiking, with facilitated therapeutic sessions designed to build self-confidence, pride, trust and communication skills that help veterans readjust upon 

their return. 

Today as we gather to discuss the outdoor recreation industry, I look forward to 

hearing from our witnesses on how outdoor recreation is driving investment, creating jobs, promoting innovation, and working to establish more enjoyable consumer 

experiences through outdoor activities. For many States and communities, outdoor 

recreation is the cornerstone of economic activity. It creates jobs, generates revenue, 

4 

and spurs vital investments. Our goal is to continue that progress and ensure that 

the outdoor recreation industry remains a strong pillar in the U.S. economy. 

Mr. LATTA. And at this time, I have about a minute left, are 

there any Members on our side that would like the remainder? The 

gentleman from Indiana is recognized. 

Mr. BUCSHON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to 

comment on the State of Indiana. Obviously this industry is very 

important to our State, specifically the RV industry in the northern 

part of our State, and I am pleased to see that last year was the 

best year that that industry has had since the late 1970s. So I appreciate the hearing and look forward to the testimony. I yield 

back. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much. The gentleman yields back, 

and I yield back the balance of my time. And at this time I would 

like to recognize the gentlelady from Illinois, the ranking member 

of the subcommittee, for 5 minutes. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY, A 

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, let me welcome our colleague, Don Beyer, who is not only the sponsor of the 

bill that we passed last year, the Outdoor Rec Act, but also the cochair of the Safe Climate Caucus, and appreciate you being here. 

Let me just add, Mr. Mullin, I recreate in Indiana. I have a 

house on the lake, so it is not just RVs, but it is a wonderful place 

in Michigan City. 

The outdoor recreation industry is an important part of our economy, and outdoor activities are enjoyed by 144 million Americans 

every year. Outdoor recreation in the United States thrives because 

of our tremendous natural resources and diverse landscape. But 

our natural wonders are under threat from a changing climate and 

destructive policies that we have seen by this administration and 

this Congress. 

Climate change is already having a noticeable impact. In Chicago, we had a snow drought this winter. There was not a single 

flake of snow in January or February. If we don’t act now, winter 

will become a thing of the past. That means fewer people enjoy 

winter sports and fewer sales for the outdoor recreation industry. 

And summer will be worse too. When summers become too hot 

that discourages Americans from leaving air-conditioned buildings 

to experience the great outdoors. The actions of the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are putting outdoor recreation at further risk. President Trump has moved to dismantle the 

Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon pollution from our power 

plants. Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to undo 

limits on methane emissions from drilling on public lands. Instead 

of investing in the green economy of the future, they are trying to 

reverse the progress we have already made. 

Where leadership from the President is lacking, the private sector is stepping up. Those working in the outdoor recreation industry know the real economic impact of our changing climate and 

they have been leaders in the fight against global climate change. 

In November, REI and Columbia joined 1,000 other companies on 

5 

a letter to President Trump calling for implementation of the historic Paris climate agreement. That letter stated, quote, ‘‘Failure to 

build a low-carbon economy puts American prosperity at risk. But 

the right action now will create jobs and boost U.S. competitiveness.’’ 

The success of the outdoor recreation industry relies on protecting the outdoors starting with our public lands. Yesterday, the 

Trump administration took first steps to undermine protection for 

our public lands. I joined with Democratic colleagues on the Energy 

and Commerce Committee and the Natural Resources Committee 

to call on the Department of the Interior to explain its review of 

the Antiquities Act. I hope our Republican colleagues will join us 

in efforts to make sure that our public lands remain protected. 

I want to thank all of our witnesses for your work to promote 

outdoor recreation and to protect our environment, and I look forward to hearing from you as we work to ensure that future generations can enjoy America’s unparalleled outdoor spaces. 

I have a minute left. I don’t know if anyone would like it. Yes, 

Congresswoman Dingell, I yield to you. 

Mrs. DINGELL. Thank you, Ranking Member Schakowsky. Outdoor recreation is not only a driver for Michigan’s economy it is a 

way of life. In my State, everyone heads up north to go camping, 

skiing, fishing, or John Dingell’s case, hunting. But I can tell you 

it wasn’t always like that. To give you one example, from 1946 to 

1948, 5.9 million gallons of oil products were released annually into 

the Detroit River. It was one of the most polluted rivers in the 

country. 

Pollution was killing thousands of water fowl every year and 

threatening the local walleye and perch population. It was a drag 

on the economy. Today, the river is now home to the Detroit River 

International Wildlife Refuge, our country’s only international refuge. The refuge is a huge driver of our local economy and is home 

to 30 species of waterfowl, 117 kinds of fish, and over 300 species 

of birds, a huge turnaround in the not-so-distant past. 

I mentioned the walleye population that was threatened. Today, 

the river is part of the Walleye Capital of the World with anglers 

from across the country coming to the region. It didn’t happen by 

accident. It happened because we passed laws like the Clean Water 

Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, established the 

Land and Water Conservation Fund, and dedicated significant resources to cleaning up our air and our water. 

As we discuss the impact of our outdoor recreation on our economy, I hope the committee will remember the story of the Detroit 

River and will protect the Clean Water Act and will strongly support Federal investments in cleanup and conservation. It not only 

helps our environment, it helps our economy as well. Thank you, 

Mr. Chairman. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. And I yield back. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much. The gentlelady yields back. 

And at this time, the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Oregon, is not here, but when he arrives we will recognize him for his opening statement. And at this time, the Chair 

will recognize for 5 minutes the gentleman from New Jersey, the 

ranking member of the full committee, for 5 minutes. 

6 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR., A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY 

Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today’s hearing is on 

the effect of outdoor recreation on the U.S. economy. It is an opportunity to celebrate outdoor recreation. Nothing gets families clamoring to be outdoors more than a day at the beach. And in my district with the beautiful beaches of Monmouth County, tourism was 

up more than five percent in 2016 due to the great weather we had 

last summer. 

When tourism increases, our local economy thrives. This hearing 

also gives us the opportunity to highlight the clear link between 

the economy and environmental stewardship. Supporting outdoor 

recreation means taking meaningful action to protect the environment. If we don’t take care of our environment the benefits of outdoor recreation to the economy and to the American people will 

vanish. 

Severe weather events are increasing, having devastating effects 

on communities across the country. Superstorm Sandy wrecked 

shore towns in New Jersey and badly hurt our economy. The storm 

caused catastrophic property damage, destructive shoreline erosion, 

and many deaths. Temperatures are increasing and precipitation 

patterns are changing. Not only does this affect ski and 

snowboarding resorts, it leads to water shortages and increases the 

risk of fires. It also means more heat advisories and air quality 

warnings, forcing more people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. 

We are also seeing an increase in vector-borne diseases like Zika, 

as mosquitoes and ticks migrate northward, increasing health risks 

and again giving people a reason to stay inside. 

So at the same time, as we pay tribute to outdoor recreation’s 

positive effects on our economy we would be remiss if we did not 

acknowledge existing environmental concerns, including climate 

change, and consider how recent Federal policy initiatives could exacerbate those concerns. It is hard to know where to start. 

Just yesterday, President Trump issued an executive order instructing a review of national monument designations as an attack 

on the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument designations by Presidents Obama and Clinton and perhaps 

others. This attack comes despite the fact that counties with protected lands have faster economic growth than those without such 

protections. Therefore, also yesterday, my colleagues and I wrote to 

the Interior Secretary seeking to ensure protection of these vital 

national lands. 

Then there is the Trump administration and Republican efforts 

to slash funding for the EPA, the Department of Interior, and other 

Federal agencies that have a mission to keep our water and air 

clean and Federal lands protected and open to the public. Republicans are also attempting to rollback efforts to curb carbon pollution, exit the Paris agreement, privatize public lands, and allow 

coal production and oil and gas drilling in national parks. 

Concerns also have been raised over the decline in international 

visitors to the United States in response to the administration’s 

travel ban. Thirty five percent of international visitors go to naVerDate Mar 15 2010 11:16 May 14, 2018 Jkt 037690 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 I:\115THCONGRESS\115X27OUTDOORRECASKOK062917\115X27OUTDOORRECWORK
7 

tional parks and monuments while in the United States. The administration’s actions can seriously harm tourism and the outdoor 

recreation economy. 

If we want the outdoor recreation industry to thrive we must 

protect the land, water, and wildlife resources that are the foundations of outdoor activities. The outdoor recreation economy is dependent on funding for protection of and access to public lands and 

waters. 

So while I was pleased that this committee was able to pass the 

Outdoor Recreation Act last Congress, which elevated the issue of 

outdoor recreation and gave it the bipartisan support it deserves, 

I want to stress that there is more work to be done. Damage to the 

environment leads to damage to outdoor recreation hurting the 

U.S. economy, so let’s work to address the changing climate and 

protect our shoreline, streams, and Federal lands. Thank you. And 

I don’t think anybody else wants my time, so I yield back. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Pallone follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. 

Mr. Chairman, today’s hearing is on the effect of outdoor recreation on the U.S. 

economy. It is an opportunity to celebrate outdoor recreation. Nothing gets families 

clamoring to be outdoors more than a day at the beach. And in my district, with 

the beautiful beaches in Monmouth County, tourism was up more than 5 percent 

in 2016 due to the great weather we had last summer. When tourism increases, our 

local economy thrives, especially in more rural areas. 

This hearing also gives us the opportunity to highlight the clear link between the 

economy and environmental stewardship. Supporting outdoor recreation means taking meaningful action to protect the environment. If we do not take care of our environment, the benefits of outdoor recreation to the economy, and to the American 

people, will vanish. 

Severe weather events are increasing, having devastating effects on communities 

across the country. Superstorm Sandy wrecked shore towns in New Jersey and 

badly hurt our economy. The storm caused catastrophic property damage, destructive shoreline erosion, and many deaths. 

Temperatures are increasing and precipitation patterns are changing. Not only 

does this affect ski and snowboarding resorts, it leads to water shortages and increases the risk of fires. It also means more heat advisories and air quality warnings, forcing more people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. We are also 

seeing an increase in vector-borne diseases like Zika as mosquitos and ticks migrate 

northward, increasing health risks and again giving people a reason to stay inside. 

So at the same time as we pay tribute to outdoor recreation’s positive effects on 

our economy, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge existing environmental 

concerns—including climate change—and consider how recent Federal policy initiatives could exacerbate those concerns. 

It is hard to know where to start. Just yesterday, President Trump issued an executive order instructing a review of national monument designations as an attack 

on the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument designations 

by Presidents Obama and Clinton, and perhaps others. This attack comes despite 

the fact that counties with protected lands have faster economic growth than those 

without such protections. Therefore, also yesterday, my colleagues and I wrote Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke seeking to ensure protection of these vital national lands. 

Then there is the Trump administration and Republican efforts to slash funding 

for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and other 

Federal agencies that have a mission to keep our water and air clean and Federal 

lands protected and open to the public. Republicans are also attempting to roll back 

efforts to curb carbon pollution, exit the Paris Agreement, privatize public lands, 

and allow coal production and oil and gas drilling in national parks. 

Concerns also have been raised over the decline in international visitors to the 

United States in response to the administration’s travel ban. Thirty-five percent of 

international visitors go to national parks and monuments while in the U.S. The 

administration’s actions can seriously harm tourism and the outdoor recreation 

economy. 

8 

If we want the outdoor recreation industry to thrive, we must protect the land, 

water, and wildlife resources that are the foundations of outdoor activities. The outdoor recreation economy is dependent on funding for, protection of, and access to 

public lands and waters. 

So while I was pleased that this committee was able to pass the Outdoor Rec Act 

last Congress, which elevated the issue of outdoor recreation and gave it the bipartisan support it deserves, I want to stress that there is more work to be done. Damage to the environment leads to damage to outdoor recreation, hurting the U.S. 

economy. Let’s work to address the changing climate and protect our shorelines, 

streams, and Federal lands. Thank you. 

Mr. LATTA. Well, thank you. The gentleman yields back the balance of his time, and that will conclude the Member opening statements. The Chair would like to remind all Members that, pursuant 

to committee rules, all Members’ opening statements will be made 

part of the record. 

Again, I want to thank our witnesses for being with us today and 

taking the time to testify before the subcommittee. Today’s hearing 

will consist of two panels. Our first witness panel for today’s hearing will include the Honorable Don Beyer, who is the Representative from Virginia’s 8th District. The gentleman will not be answering questions today from the subcommittee. 

The second panel of witnesses will have the opportunity to give 

opening statements followed by a round of questions from the committee members. Once we conclude with the opening statement on 

the first panel, we will take a brief recess for the second panel to 

be seated. We appreciate you all being with us today, and at this 

time the gentleman from Virginia’s 8th District is now recognized 

for 5 minutes to give an opening statement. Good morning. 

STATEMENT OF HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR., A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA 

Mr. BEYER. Good morning. Thank you, Subcommittee Chairman 

Latta, Ranking Member Schakowsky, for holding this hearing and 

for inviting me to be here to give testimony on this really important outdoor recreation. No one ever said the great indoors. John 

Muir said, ‘‘Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to 

play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to 

body and soul.’’ So beyond their impact on our hearts or minds, our 

outdoors are powerful economic drivers that give rise to a vast outdoor economy. I have had a long relationship with this outdoor 

economy. 

I am glad, Mr. Chairman, you mentioned Outward Bound. I am 

a 1971 January graduate of Outward Bound in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I lost 33 pounds in 26 days eating everything I could find. I started section hiking the Appalachian Trail 

in 2002. I was always going to through hike it, but I decided the 

happy marriage was more important than through hiking the AT. 

But I am up to 1,481 miles right now, so as long as you guys keep 

the calendars and the voting schedule OK, I will finish in 2020. My 

legs—and then I started the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. 

So people like me—the hikers, bikers, climbers, skiers, 

snowboarders, RV owners, paddle boarders—we spend billions each 

year getting outside. To reiterate, Chairman, your numbers: $887 

9 

billion in spending, $124 billion in tax revenue, and almost 8 million jobs. And our policies towards public lands should reflect this 

tremendous economic success. 

So with Representatives Dave Reichert, Peter Welch, Cathy 

McMorris Rodgers, and I on the House side, and Senators Gardner 

and Shaheen on the Senate, we recognized this impact when we introduced the Outdoor Rec Act. Incorporating data on such a sizeable share of the economy will ensure that we adopt policies which 

will help foster growth and prosperity. You know, without this data 

we are left to wonder about say the Appalachian Trail’s contributions to the GDP. 

So back to the napkin math. A good pack goes for at least $200, 

a good sleeping bag another $200, an inexpensive one-person tent 

$75, durable hiking shoes around $120—although mine was much 

higher—a good headlamp $27, pack liner 45, Swiss Army knife $16, 

trekking pole $70. We will let Jeremy talk about how much a good 

snowboard costs. None of this will even account for clothing, food, 

basic first aid, cooking supplies, a sleeping pad, or all the technical 

weather gear. 

Over 2,200 miles, a through hiker on the Appalachian Trail will 

eat at countless small-town diners, delis, coffee shops, Pizza Huts, 

even rent the occasional room for a night off the trail. And you 

multiply that times 2,700 successful through hikers a year and you 

are talking about literally billions of dollars. And though the trail 

itself is very long, this is just to look at one small portion of our 

outdoor economy. 

Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, I believe in the importance 

of data and measurements. As a businessman you can’t manage 

what you don’t measure, and Werner Heisenberg pointed out that 

anything that we measure we change. So these numbers if we 

quantify them, it enables us to enact responsible public policy to 

grow our economy, create jobs, and foster appreciation and enjoyment of our great outdoors. So this is what the Outdoor Rec Act 

accomplishes by getting the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the 

Department of Commerce to quantify the value of the outdoor 

recreation economy. 

So from the green vistas of the Shenandoah National Park, the 

boulder fields up on Mount Washington and the ankle-breaking 

routes on the Hundred-Mile Wilderness in Maine, which I traversed last summer, this Nation has been blessed with majestic national bounty. But our public lands are much more than beautiful 

parks. They are also a source of health both physical and financial 

and they are an economic engine that must continue to grow. 

So again, thanks for allowing me to testify on the importance of 

outdoor recreation. I have raised four kids and now two grandkids 

on the simple ethic that no child should be left inside. And I know 

you have a wonderful panel of witnesses who can reinforce why it 

is so important for us to pay attention to this enormous economic 

sector. Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, thank you. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Beyer follows:] 

10 


Beyer Testimony for E&C Subcommittee Hearing on Outdoor 

Recreation 

Thank you Subcommittee Chairman Latta and Ranking Member 

Schakowsky for holding this hearing and for allowing me to be here to 

give testimony on the importance of outdoor recreation. 

It was John Muir who recognized the importance and beauty of our 

public lands when he said, "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, 

places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength 

to body and soul." 

Beyond their impact on our hearts and minds, our public lands are also 

powerful economic drivers that give rise to a vast outdoor economy. 

I have had a long relationship with the outdoor recreation economy. 

Some of you may know that I began section hiking the AT when I was 

Lt. Governor of Virginia. 

My legs and our House voting schedule willing, I will finish in 2020. 

Then it's on to the PCT and maybe one day the Continental Divide Trail. 

People like me, the hikers, bikers, skiers, paddle boarders and the like 

spend billions each year getting outside- to the tune of $887 million in 

spending, $124 billion in tax revenue, and supporting nearly 8 million 

jobs. 

Our policies toward public lands should reflect this tremendous 

economic success. 
11 


Representatives Reichert, Welch, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and I 

on the House side and our companions Senators Gardner and Shaheen 

-recognized this impact when we introduced the Outdoor REC Act. 

Incorporating data on such a sizeable share of the economy will ensure 

that we adopt policies which help to foster growth and prosperity. 

Without this data, we are left to wonder about the Appalachian Trail's 

contributions to our GDP, but we can try with some back-of-the-napkin 

math. 

A proper pack goes for around $200; a good sleeping bag is another 

$200; an inexpensive one-person tent at REI right now is $75; and 

durable hiking shoes start around $120 but can easily go much higher. 

What about a head lamp ($27 minimum)? Or even a pack liner ($45), 

Swiss Army Knife ($16), or trekking poles ($70)? 

None of this will even account for your clothing, food, basic first aid, 

cooking supplies, a sleeping pad for the more comfort-minded, or any 

sort of technical weather gear. 

Over 2,200 miles, a through-hiker stops to eat at countless small-town 

diners, delis, and coffee shops and even rents the occasional room for a 

night off the trail. 

Now multiply that over the 2, 700 successful through-hikes a year, and 

the thousands more who pursue more modest distances, and you begin 

to understand. 

Though the trail itself is very long, this is just a look at one small portion 

of the outdoor economy. 
12 


I always talk about the importance of data and measurements- I 

believe that the way to make change is to measure something. 

These numbers must be quantified if we are to enact responsible public 

policy to grow our economy, create jobs, and foster appreciation and 

enjoyment of our great outdoors. 

That is what the Outdoor Recreation Act accomplished by getting the 

Bureau of Economic Analysis at the Department of Commerce to 

quantify the value of the outdoor recreation economy. 

From the green vistas ofthe AT and Shenandoah National Park, the 

boulder fields above Mount Washington, and ankle breaking roots in 

the 100 Mile Wilderness, this nation has been blessed with a majestic 

natural bounty. 

But our public lands are much more than beautiful parks, trails, slopes, 

and climbs: they are a source of health, both physical and financial. 

They are an economic engine that we must continue to grow. 

So again, thanks for the honor of allowing me to testify on the 

importance of outdoor recreation. 

I know you have a wonderful panel of witnesses who can reinforce why 

it's so important for us to pay attention to this important economic 

sector. 
13 

Mr. LATTA. Well, I want to thank the gentleman for his testimony today. And as you rattled off all the different things and the 

costs, I will need you to probably talk to my wife to explain what 

our credit card bill looks like sometimes when I am out buying and 

why I need it. But I want to thank you again for your testimony 

and for your love of the outdoors. So thanks for being with us 

today. 

At this time, that will conclude our first panel, and at this time 

I would like to ask for our second panel to come up to be seated 

and we will just take a quick recess as they get their seats. 

[Recess.] 

Mr. LATTA. Well, thanks very much and welcome back. Thank 

you again for your patience and for all of the time for you being 

with us today. We now move into our second panel for today’s hearing. Each witness will be given 5 minutes for an opening statement 

followed by a round of questions from our Members. 

For our second panel we have the following witnesses: Ms. Amy 

Roberts, executive director of the Outdoor Industry Association; 

Ms. Ginger Mihalik, executive director of the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School at Outward Bound; Mr. Jeffrey 

Tooze, the vice president of Global Customs & Trade at Columbia 

Sportswear; Mr. Marc—I hope I pronounce your last name correctly, is it ‘‘Bur-hay-kay’’?—Berejka, director of Government and 

Community Affairs at REI; Mr. Jeremy Jones, founder and president at Protect Our Winters; and Mr. James Landers, vice president of Government Affairs at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. Again we appreciate you all being here today. 

And we will begin our panel with Ms. Roberts and you are now 

recognized for 5 minutes for your opening statements. And you will 

see a yellow light comes on, that is the 30-second light, and the red 

is at the 5-minute mark. But thanks again for being with us today. 

STATEMENTS OF AMY ROBERTS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION; GINGER MIHALIK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BALTIMORE CHESAPEAKE BAY OUTWARD 

BOUND SCHOOL, OUTWARD BOUND; JEFFREY TOOZE, VICE 

PRESIDENT, GLOBAL CUSTOMS & TRADE, COLUMBIA 

SPORTSWEAR COMPANY; MARC BEREJKA, DIRECTOR OF 

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, RECREATIONAL 

EQUIPMENT, INC.; JEREMY JONES, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, PROTECT OUR WINTERS; AND JAMES LANDERS, VICE 

PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, RECREATION VEHICLE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 

STATEMENT OF AMY ROBERTS 

Ms. ROBERTS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the 

committee, for calling this hearing today and highlighting the important role of the outdoor recreation industry and America’s great 

outdoors on the United States economy. Outdoor Industry Association is the national trade association for suppliers, manufacturers, 

and retailers and we have more than 1,200 members nationwide. 

Many Members of Congress are familiar with our 2012 Outdoor 

Recreation Economy Report and those numbers have become the 

gold standard for measuring outdoor recreation’s impact on the 

14 

U.S. economy. Our new economic report released just 2 days ago 

shows a very strong and growing sector that is critical to America’s 

economic well- being and the livelihood of Americans. Our 2017 report shows that outdoor recreation contributes $887 billion in consumer spending annually. This means that Americans spend more 

on outdoor recreation than on pharmaceuticals and gas and fuels 

combined. 

7.6 million American jobs depend on outdoor recreation. More 

American workers are employed by outdoor recreation than by computer technology, construction, finance, or insurance. As a multidimensional economic sector, outdoor recreation fuels employment 

in other sectors such as manufacturing, finance, retail, transportation, food service, tourism and travel. 

Demand for advanced outdoor technical apparel, footwear, and 

equipment drives innovation and entrepreneurism. It creates jobs 

for highly skilled workers in diverse fields. The outdoor industry 

also contributes a combined 125 billion every year in taxes, 60 billion in local and State and 65 billion in Federal tax dollars. Unfortunately, outdoor recreation assets reap very little of that through 

reinvestment back into our shared public lands and waters, the infrastructure needed for the outdoor recreation economy. 

Businesses in our industry are no different from businesses in 

other sectors. They rely on certainty that they can have access to 

adequate infrastructure to plan their investments and grow jobs. 

The outdoor activities that the outdoor industry represents are as 

diverse as the companies who make up our industry. From hiking, 

hunting, fishing, skiing, biking, surfing, paddling, ATV and offroading to snowmobiling, camping, boating, climbing, and horseback riding, there is an outdoor activity for everyone. 

The growth in our sector makes sense and our annual Outdoor 

Foundation Participation Report shows that outdoor recreation participation grew, adding 1.6 million participants from 2015 to 2016. 

The report also shows that half of all Americans participated in at 

least one outdoor recreational activity in 2016. So that equates to 

144 million participants who went on a total of 11 billion outdoor 

outings and that is a lot of hiking boots and water bottles. 

Our public lands and waters belong to every American and they 

are the foundation of our outdoor recreation economy. Preserving 

access is imperative to enhancing the industry’s economic and social impact and ensuring that every American’s ability to get outside whether close to home or on a weekend adventure. 

In order to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor recreation economy, policymakers must protect America’s public lands 

and waters. These assets are foundational to our sector. We ask 

you to invest in local and Federal recreation infrastructure and 

programs to ensure all Americans have access to public lands and 

waters, and to promote outdoor recreation as part of a public 

health policy and national economic discussions. 

Your committee has been integral in the Outdoor Recreation Jobs 

and Economic Impact Act, which passed last year with bipartisan 

support by unanimous vote, and I think that is something to note 

that this is a very bipartisan industry. We hope that this official 

Government data will shed light on business and land management 

policies that can help us continue our trend of growth and success. 

15 

I want to thank the committee on behalf of the outdoor industry, 

as the bipartisan REC Act is the first step to elevating awareness 

about the impact of the outdoor recreation economy. It underscores 

the imperative for leaders and lawmakers to protect and invest in 

policies that grow their infrastructure on which outdoor recreation 

economy is built. Thank you for your time and attention to our 

growing industry. 

[The prepared statement of Ms. Roberts follows:] 

16 


Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great Outdoors 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

Thursday, April27, 2017; 2123 Rayburn House Office Building 

Amy Roberts, Executive Director, Outdoor Industry Association 

Congressman Robert Latta, Chairman, Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer 

Protection 

Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Digital Commerce 

and Consumer Protection 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, for calling this hearing today and 

highlighting the important role of the outdoor recreation industry and America's great outdoors 

on the United States economy. This hearing is truly groundbreaking for our industry, partners 

and congressional champions. Outdoor recreation drives commerce and is among our nation's 

largest economic sectors, representing the lifeblood of thousands of American communities and 

providing livelihoods for millions of Americans. 

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the national trade association for suppliers, manufacturers 

and retailers in the $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, with more than 1200 members 

nationwide. The outdoor industry supports more than 7.6 million American jobs and makes other 

significant contributions toward the goal of healthy communities and healthy economies across 

the United States. 

Many members of Congress are familiar with our 2012 Outdoor Recreation Economy report 

which found that the industry contributes $646 billion in consumer spending, 6.1 million 
17 


American jobs and a combined $80 billion in U.S. tax dollars. 

While those numbers have been used as the gold standard for measuring outdoor recreation's 

impact on the United States economy by elected officials from both parties and at all levels of 

government, our new economic report released just two days ago shows a very strong and 

growing sector that is critical to America's economic well-being and the livelihoods of 

Americans. 

Our 2017 report shows that outdoor recreation contributes $887 billion in consumer spending 

annually. This means that Americans spend more on outdoor recreation than on pharmaceuticals 

and gas and fuels combined. In fact, the impact of outdoor recreation on America's economy is 

almost as big as that of hospital care. 

7.6 million American jobs depend on outdoor recreation. More American workers are employed 

by outdoor recreation than by computer technology, construction, finance or insurance. More 

Americans are directly employed by hunting and fishing than oil and gas extraction. From park 

rangers to land planners, form manufacturers to designers and from fly fishing guides to retail 

sales associates, outdoor recreation provides jobs across the skill spectrum. These jobs, 

predominantly based in rural communities, strengthen local economies. Many small 

businesses-including more than 5,000 outfitters and guiding companies-benefit from 

proximity and access to national forests. The outdoor sector employs people who want to work in 

the field, in the lab, on the road, in the office and everywhere in between. 

The United States is globally recognized as the leader in outdoor recreation. As a multidimensional economic sector, outdoor recreation fuels employment in other sectors, such as 
18 


manufacturing, finance, retail, transportation, food service, tourism and travel. Career 

opportunities exist far beyond guiding and outfitting services and lodging and park services. The 

outdoor recreation industry employs product developers, small and large retailers and other 

professionals. Demand for advanced outdoor technical apparel, footwear and equipment drives 

innovation and entrepreneurism. It creates jobs for highly skilled workers in diverse fields such 

as technology, product design, manufacturing, sustainability and global commerce. 

Further, America's natural landscapes and waterways are among our nation's greatest attractions 

for international visitors and for the recruitment and retention of American businesses, workers 

and their families. Corporations and businesses of all types are attracted to the quality of life that 

results from access to well-maintained green spaces and interconnected trails as a key tool for 

recruiting and retaining highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs that create many American jobs 

in both urban and rural communities. 

The outdoor industry also contributes a combined $125 billion every year in taxes, from $60 

billion in local and state and $65 billion in federal tax dollars. Unfortunately, outdoor recreation 

assets reap very little of that through reinvestment back into our shared public lands and 

waters-the infrastructure needed for the recreation economy. Businesses in our industry are no 

different from businesses in other sectors. They rely on certainty that they can have access to 

adequate infrastructure to plan their investments and grow jobs. 

These numbers may seem a bit staggering to those unfamiliar with the outdoor recreation 

economy. We are a relatively new industry made up of thousands of companies in every corner 

of the country and in every aspect of the supply chain. Our members represent manufacturers, 
19 


suppliers and distributors, retailers, guides and outfitters, nonprofits and universities-from onedoor mom-and-pop shops to global Fortune 500 companies. 

Despite the size of our industry, we are unique; while there are several well-recognized brands in 

the outdoor industry, you might not be able to name the 10 largest outdoor companies off the top 

of your head. You can, however, probably think of a bike store in your neighborhood, the local 

fly-fishing shop, an outdoor retailer down the street or the brand that makes your favorite rain 

jacket. The outdoor industry is made up of all of these businesses and is an integral part of our 

American life. 

The outdoor activities that the outdoor industry represents are as diverse as the companies who 

make up the industry. From hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, biking, surfing, paddling, ATV and 

off-roading to snowmobiling, camping, boating, climbing and horseback riding to simply going 

for a walk around your neighborhood, there is an outdoor activity for everyone. Outdoor 

products are found in every part of the country, from rural and "gateway" communities to the 

biggest cities in the world. And although most of our businesses are small and local, the impact 

of our industry is global. 

We are still a relatively young industry, with many brands founded within the last several 

decades and new entrepreneurial startups coming online every day. Many outdoor businesses are 

only one generation removed from their founders, yet our industry has been growing at a rapid 

pace and has recently achieved higher visibility as more people embrace the outdoor lifestyle and 

as elected officials recognize the economic force of the outdoor industry and increasingly 
20 


support our issues. 

The growth in our sector makes sense, and our annual Outdoor Foundation Participation Report 

shows that outdoor recreation participation grew, adding 1.6 million participants from 2015 to 

2016. The report also shows that half of all Americans participated in at least one outdoor 

recreational activity in 2016. That equates to 144 million participants, who went on a total of II 

billion outdoor outings. That's a lot of hiking boots and water bottles. 

The industry makes our nation's economy stronger, but it also represents the entrepreneurial 

spirit that makes America so great. It is helping Americans live healthy and active lifestyles and 

enjoy our shared national heritage--our public lands and waters. America's lands and waters 

embody the American spirit. Investments in outdoor recreation on public lands and waters earn 

compounding returns in the form of healthier communities, healthier economies and healthier 

people. From our national parks to local green spaces, from alpine lakes to transcontinental 

rivers, America's outdoor recreation assets are its citizens' common trust. 

Our public lands and waterways belong to every American, and they are the foundation of our 

outdoor recreation economy. They hold the promise of prosperity and well-being. It is as much 

our responsibility to invest in them as it is our right to enjoy them. Preserving access is 

imperative to enhancing the industry's economic and social impact. Access ensures every 

American's ability to get outside where jobs, health and communities thrive. 

In order to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor recreation economy, policymakers 

must: 

1. Protect America's public lands and waters, assets that are the foundation of our sector. 
21 


2. Invest in local and federal recreation infrastructure and programs to ensure all Americans 

have access to public lands and waters. 

3. Promote outdoor recreation as part of public health policy and national economic 

discussions. 

Your committee has already been integral in the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact 

(REC) Act, which passed last year with bipartisan, unanimous support and which will help the 

federal government and state and local policymakers fully understand the important 

contributions that outdoor recreation makes to the U.S. economy. This important law directs the 

government for the first time to recognize and assess outdoor recreation as a unique sector of 

U.S. gross domestic product. We hope that this official government data will shed light on 

business and land management policies that can help us continue our trend of growth and 

success. 

I want to thank the committee on behalf of the outdoor industry, as the bipartisan REC Act is an 

important first step in elevating awareness about the impact of the outdoor recreation economy. 

However, it also underscores the imperative for leaders and lawmakers to protect and invest in 

policies that grow the infrastructure on which the outdoor recreation economy is built. 

Outdoor recreation is the economy of the 21st century. Outdoor recreation is something a 

majority of Americans embrace that crosses demographic boundaries and brings with it diverse, 

high-paying and highly sought after jobs for American workers. 

Time and time again across the country, when leaders invest in outdoor recreation, the result is 

healthier communities and healthier economies. The continued dynamic growth of the outdoor 
22 


recreation economy is inarguable evidence of its contribution to the nation's social and economic 

growth. Together, and with your help, we must invest in the outdoors-today, tomorrow and for 

generations to come. 

Amy Roberts 

Executive Director 

Outdoor Industry Association 
23 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much, and Ms. Mihalik, you are recognized for 5 minutes. 

STATEMENT OF GINGER MIHALIK 

Ms. MIHALIK. Thank you, Chairman Latta and Ranking Member 

Schakowsky, for holding this hearing today, and good morning to 

all of the members of the committee. It is an honor to be before you 

today. My name is Ginger Mihalik and I am proud to represent 

Outward Bound USA at this hearing. 

For over 75 years, Outward Bound has educated thousands of 

students in outdoor classrooms across the United States. I am 

proud to serve as the executive director of the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School which is but one of 11 schools. 

We use the wilderness to provide unparalleled opportunities for 

discovery, personal growth, self-reliance, teamwork, and compassion. This, paired with our proven curriculum, produces remarkable 

documented results, strength of character, ability to lead, and a desire to serve. 

Outward Bound schools in Colorado, California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania use the power of these amazing 

places to serve over 40,000 students a year. The programs in each 

of these schools all teach students to be compassionate, resilient 

leaders that are equipped with the skills needed to improve themselves and our world. 

Outward Bound schools design programs to respond to the needs 

of their specific community and the needs of the times. For example, locally, my school responded to violence between police and 

youth. Nationally, Outward Bound has designed a program specifically to address the needs of veterans returning home. 

For many veterans, returning home can be as stressful as shipping out. Although they are safely removed from the dangers of 

war, they are also removed from the routine, the sense of purpose, 

and the camaraderie that their years of service provided. Experience in conflict zones can cause veterans to lose touch with their 

skills, to lose confidence in themselves, and to disengage from the 

families and communities that welcome them home. 

Our weeklong Outward Bound Veterans expeditions provide a 

unique setting with physical and mental challenges which create a 

sense of purpose and accomplishment while building trust in other 

members of the expedition. In 2016, we were able to take 553 veterans on 47 wilderness expeditions which included everything from 

rafting in Oregon to backpacking and rock climbing on the Appalachian Trail to dog sledding in Minnesota. 

Over the course of each trip, veterans work in a group to overcome shared obstacles and achieve shared goals in a non-combat 

setting which helps to build the skills and connections needed to 

transition back to life at home. Results of a recent study at the 

University of Texas showed that our veterans program helps to increase overall mental health, interpersonal relations, resilience, 

sense of purpose, and greater interest in personal growth. Many returning veterans are reticent to seek help through traditional mental health avenues and Outward Bound Veterans has proven to be 

an effective therapeutic alternative. 

24 

We at Outward Bound share a belief with this subcommittee. 

Outdoor recreation provides a space for self-discovery. I have witnessed truly remarkable transformations happen among our students in the outdoors. I have watched an inner city youth view the 

horizon for the first time. I have watched grown men cry at the 

beauty of a wilderness sunrise. And I have witnessed a veteran 

who had lost his legs in war find himself and his ability to lead 

again at the stern of a canoe on the Potomac River. 

As a double amputee he lost his confidence in what he was able 

to do and believed that he could never complete an expedition. 

Once in his canoe he soared. He was the strongest paddler, he 

quickly found his rhythm in the boat, he had the support of his 

crew on land, and he ultimately found the confidence he had lost. 

These experiences are powerful and are impossible to recreate in 

any other place than the outdoors. 

Thank you again, Chairman Latta and Ranking Member Schakowsky, for the invitation to be here today. I look forward to answering any questions. 

[The prepared statement of Ms. Mihalik follows:] 

25 


Testimony of Ginger Mihalik 

Outward Bound 

Executive Director, Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School 

on 

"Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great Outdoors" 

before the 

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce 

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

April27, 2017 

OUTWARD 

BOUND 
26 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

Summary of Key Points 

Outward Bound USA is playing a key role in recognizing the power of the wilderness as 

a classroom and a catalyst for economic and educational growth and opportunity for 

students of all ages and backgrounds. 

Outward Bound provides a wilderness program model for Veterans which helps to 

increase overall mental health, interpersonal relations, resilience, sense of purpose, and 

greater interest in personal growth. Together we believe these qualities can help 

reintegrate Veterans into productive civilian lives. We have partnerships with the VA's 

Brain Trust and Veterans Centers across the country to both be a resource for Veterans 

and provide our Veterans with a stronger framework to support positive civilian reentry. 

• Outward Bound recognizes the opportunity to provide a profoundly healing experience 

relevant to the lives of young people coping with the death of a loved one. Outward 

Bound for Grieving Teens connects young people and together they build off a shared 

foundation and learn coping and support skills to set them up for success. 

Outward Bound has a national reach to over 40,000 students annually and a network of 

more than 1 million alumni. These participants have experienced Outward Bound and 

are positioned to become advocates for and economic drivers in the outdoor industry. 

Numerous studies and research on the Outward Bound model prove that participants 

report positive growth in areas such as leadership, service, and confidence. We believe 

these outcomes run parallel to markers of success long-term in areas of economic gains 

such as employability and in overall personal and professional growth. 

• Outward Bound provides scholarships to more than 6,000 students each year: in 2016, 

we granted more than $7 million in funds. These funds allow us to provide the Outward 

Bound experience to many underserved communities across the country, bringing our 

core values of Character, Leadership, and Service to youth in need. 

2 
27 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

Written Testimony of Ginger Mihalik of Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School 

Thank you, Chairman Latta and Ranking Member Schakowsky for holding this hearing today, 

and good morning to all the members of the committee. It is an honor to be before you today. 

My name is Ginger Mihalik and I am the Executive Director of the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay 

Outward Bound School. My school is one of the 11 regional schools in the national Outward 

Bound network. Today I'm proud to represent Outward Bound USA, and the work we do across 

the country to fulfill our mission of changing lives through challenge and discovery. At Outward 

Bound, we use the wilderness classroom to provide unparalleled opportunities for discovery, 

personal growth, self-reliance, teamwork, and compassion. We believe that physically and 

mentally challenging experiences, when facilitated by trained professionals in a safe and 

supportive environment, can help students discover and develop their strength of character, 

ability to lead, and desire to serve. We believe that reflection is as important as action in 

developing skills and learning from experience. We respect the diverse capabilities and talents 

of each individual and are dedicated to helping all students discover their true potential. 

Since its founding in 1941, Outward Bound has served individuals of all ages and backgrounds 

through challenging learning expeditions focused on character development, leadership and 

service. Outward Bound is the leading outdoor education and experiential learning nonprofit. 

believe we share a belief with this subcommittee that outdoor recreation can teach a set of 

values including compassion, integrity, excellence, inclusion, and diversity. 

Our national network of regional schools delivers programs which include Outward Bound 

Veterans, Outward Bound Classic Wilderness Courses, In-schools Programs, , and Outward 

Bound for Grieving Teens- and serve people from all age ranges, economic communities, and 

backgrounds. We've issued charters to 11 expeditionary learning schools in Colorado, 

California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, 

Oregon, and Pennsylvania. NYC Outward Bound Schools also works with many New York City 

3 
28 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

public schools to deliver customized programs around the themes of team-building and 

character/leadership development. 

Through Outward Bound experiences, students learn important skills and values that they will 

take with them for the rest of their lives. Our programs aim to: 

Provide engaging relevant, sequential experiences that promote skill mastery and 

incorporate reflection and transference. 

• Promote learning from success as well as failure. 

Use unfamiliar settings to impel students into mentally, emotionally, and physically 

demanding experiences. 

Create a supportive environment that fosters physical and emotional safety, and a caring 

and positive group culture. 

• Help students develop Character, demonstrating increased self-confidence and selfactualization, as well as compassion toward others. 

Build Leadership skills, demonstrating the ability to set goals, and inspire and guide 

others to achieve them. 

Develop students' ability to collaborate, communicate, solve problems and resolve 

conflicts effectively. 

Create an environment of Service, demonstrating social and environmental 

responsibility, and actively engaging in service to others. 

OUTWARD BOUND VETERANS 

Outward Bound offers 6-7 day wilderness courses at no cost to 600 veterans per year returning 

from recent conflict zones. Since 1983, we have helped thousands of returning service 

members and military veterans readjust to life at home through the healing power of the 

wilderness and by reinforcing the gratification, confidence, and self-worth that comes with 

4 
29 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

working within a group. These courses build the skills necessary to successfully return to life 

after service. 

Wilderness activities are used as metaphors for daily life experiences in the pursuit of individual 

and group excellence, illuminating how the support and collaboration needed to meet goals can 

positively impact participants' interactions with others at home. Whether whitewater rafting, 

backcountry mountaineering, kayaking, or sailing, expeditions center on teamwork and 

challenge. Instructors present sequential activities that gradually increase in both physical and 

emotional challenge while transferring leadership over to the veteran participants. They 

emphasize camaraderie and shared life experiences through facilitated conversations about 

challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life. Outward Bound Veterans expeditions 

provide the sense of purpose, trust in one another, and physical challenge that our service men 

and women experienced in the military. As they work as a group to overcome shared obstacles 

and achieve shared goals in a non-combat wilderness setting, many veteran participants say 

they feel more "at home" than they have in all their time back on U.S. soil. 

For many veterans, returning home can be as disorienting and stressful as shipping out. 

Although they are safely removed from the dangers of war, they are also removed from the 

routine, the sense of purpose, and camaraderie that their years in the service provided. 

Experiences in conflict zones can cause veterans to lose touch with their skills, to lose 

confidence in themselves, and to disengage from the very families, communities, and 

businesses that welcome them home. For those veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress, 

psychological injuries, and debilitating depression, the return home may be the greatest 

challenge of all. These men and women possess a wealth of highly valued leadership, 

teamwork, and problem-solving skills coupled with a strong sense of service and community. 

Suicides among both active service members and veterans continue to rise each year, and 

have tragically reached historic and unprecedented numbers. Among service members and 

5 
30 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

veterans who have returned from conflict zones, there is extensive evidence of depression, drug 

and alcohol abuse, failed marriages, and unemployment. The results of a recent study at 

University of Texas show that the Outward Bound Veterans treatment model helps to increase 

overall mental health, interpersonal relations, resilience, sense of purpose, and greater interest 

in personal growth. Many returning veterans are reticent to seek help through traditional mental 

health avenues, and Outward Bound Veterans has proven to be a therapeutic alternative. 

The demographics of our students mirror that of the military as a whole. In 2016, we served 553 

participants on 47 veterans' specific courses in wilderness areas spread throughout the country. 

15% were female and 85% were male. Of our students, just over 40% were actively seeking 

treatment for mental health challenges directly related to their service (21% PTS, 14% 

Depression, 5% Adjustment Disorder.) On average, 92% of participants are post-9/11 veterans. 

We are also evaluating how our Veterans program can work with the existing and expanded 

framework of the VA and Veterans Centers across the country: in early 2017, we completed a 

whitepaper highlighting our successful findings with a program with the Vet Center in 

Bakersfield, CA and the VA in Austin. Our paper proposes a national pilot program for an 

additional 1 ,500 veterans over the next two years. 

"My Outward Bound experience probably saved my life."- Michael, US Army, Afghanistan 

Veteran, one year after 

OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL PROGRAMS 

Several Outward Bound schools across the country offer in-school programs for underserved 

urban youth teaching Outward Bound's core curriculum of leadership skills, teamwork, and 

personal values through hands-on experiential learning. Many Outward Bound schools combine 

in-school activities with outdoor programs, building on classroom teachings and reinforcing 

academic content in a hands-on approach using the natural world to connect academic learning 

6 
31 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

with the social and emotional skills necessary for success in school, in their communities, and in 

life. 

The expeditionary learning model pioneered by Outward Bound is an active, collaborative, and 

interdisciplinary teaching method that values character development as much as academic 

achievement. We use learning strategies that spark student motivation and engagement 

through active roles in the classroom. We develop a culture of learning and teamwork that 

brings lessons to life and empowers students to be creative, engaged members of a group. 

High achievement is defined as more than just high test scores; it also includes strength of 

character and the contribution that student makes to their community. It includes the ability to 

think critically, to analyze and synthesize information, to communicate effectively, and to engage 

and serve the community. It also includes self-discipline, compassion, and integrity. Students 

receive encouragement to stretch beyond preconceived limits and achieve greater success as 

an individual and as part of a team. 

Teachers participate in ongoing training and professional development, allowing them to share 

best practices with their peers. The highly personalized nature of the expeditionary learning 

model allows each teacher to customize their own curriculum to their strengths and passions, 

enlivening the classroom and helping teachers connect more deeply with students. Teachers 

also have access to online tools for developing and sharing curriculum, and they participate in 

local and national seminars and conferences. 

We work with schools to develop custom programs to fit their students' needs. All our programs, 

whether an hour a week at a partner public school or daily work at one of our expeditionary 

learning schools, focus on traditional Outward Bound values of character, leadership, and 

teambuilding. Programs may start in the classroom with activities structured around a discipline 

or learning outcome and then move to an outdoor component in a city park or wilderness area. 

7 
32 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

The structure of the program differs from school to school, but all schools offer scholarship 

support to underserved youth, giving those most in need the opportunity to experience lifechanging Outward Bound courses. We serve approximately 25,000 students across the country 

annually through our in-school programs, with most students from underserved communities. 

Skills learned through our renowned leadership development programs prepare students to 

overcome challenges in daily life, in school, and in potentially dangerous neighborhoods so that 

they can focus on graduating from high school, attending college and entering the workforce. 

Students also learn to appreciate and respect the environment through Outward Bound courses. 

POLICE YOUTH CHALLENGE 

Since 2008, Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School has been working with the 

Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City youth to shift negative perceptions they have 

about each other by pairing them in programming designed to break down barriers and reduce 

stereotypes. The results of a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study (2012-

2015), funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, showed that the 

program is effective in: reducing implicit and explicit bias, reducing social distance, reducing 

stereotypes leading to a change in behaviors based on internal motivation, increasing selfefficacy and conflict resolution skills, and producing consistent improved classroom 

behavior. After the unrest in April2015, Outward Bound worked closely with the Baltimore 

Police Department to expand the program's reach to serve every active duty officer, school 

resource officer, police trainees and Command staff. 

SCHOLARSHIPS 

Outward Bound believes that every student, regardless of ability to pay, should have the 

opportunity to participate in an Outward Bound course. Thanks to generous donations from 

8 
33 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

alumni, parents, corporations, foundations and others, Outward Bound's network of regional 

schools provides financial aid and scholarships to more than 6,000 students each year. 

In 2015, Outward Bound USA and its regional Outward Bound Schools granted close to $6 

million in scholarship funding and direct student tuition support. These funds allow us to provide 

the life-changing Outward Bound experience to many underserved communities across the 

country, bringing Outward Bound's core values of Character, Leadership, and Service to youth 

in need. 

Outward Bound graduates learn to believe in themselves and to dream big. Through all the 

challenges that arise on an expedition, they discover that they can do more than they ever 

thought possible. They return to school, work, or home prepared to serve and committed to 

lead.· 

OUTWARD BOUND GRIEVING TEENS 

Outward Bound for Grieving Teens is a special program that takes grieving teens and young 

adults aged 14- 24 on our outdoor wilderness expeditions. By combining the personal growth 

methodologies of Outward Bound with a support model that honors the griever, we deliver an 

intensely profound healing experience relevant to the lives of young people coping with the 

death of a loved one. 

Statistics show that 1.2 million children between the ages of 12 and 17 are grieving the death of 

one or more parents, and 4.5 million college students have experienced the death of a family 

member or friend within the last one to two years. Studies also show that children who 

experience the death of a loved one are two to three times more likely to suffer from depression 

in their adult years. Only one in seven Americans who lose a parent or sibling before the age of 

20 learn to cope with childhood bereavement through programs offered like Outward Bound for 

Grieving Teens. 

9 
34 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

Whether it's climbing majestic mountains, rappelling down granite cliffs, or navigating across 

lakes and through forests, participants discover the strength within to face the challenges 

ahead. During a transformational seven-day wilderness adventure, participants experience 

powerful grief work activities woven into the context of the traditional Outward Bound curriculum. 

This adventure includes hiking, backpacking, or canoeing and a personal challenge day like 

rock climbing or high ropes. This program is not intended to be counseling or therapy. It is an 

environment where youth can connect and build supportive relationships with peers going 

through similar challenges in life. At its essence, it is a wilderness experience combined with 

grief processing and support activities to learn coping skills and to build an ongoing supportive 

peer network. 

EVALUATION, MEASUREMENT, AND OUTCOMES 

Throughout our history, Outward Bound has been studied, evaluated and analyzed by hundreds 

of academics and research professionals. We evaluate our progress through a continued 

commitment to both qualitative and quantitative research. For courses 5 days or longer, all 

students complete a course end evaluation. Students receive questionnaires at three separate 

times- one week prior to course start, one-week post course, and the third data point is taken 

one to two months post course. That schedule is anticipated to continue. 

Progress is measured through continued research utilizing consistent methodology. The vast 

majority of participants report that Outward Bound has a positive impact on them in areas such 

as leadership, service and confidence. 

Outward Bound Veterans contracted with the University of Texas in 2012 to complete an indepth research study with the goal of better understanding the program's impact on veterans. 

The overall significant results show that the Outward Bound Veterans treatment model helps 

increase overall mental health, interpersonal relations, resilience, sense of purpose, and greater 

interest in personal growth, relating to their emotions, and seeking help. 

10 
35 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27, 2017 

Veterans' anxiety and depression symptoms on average improved by 8.2% and 7.4% 

respectively. Sense of social connection increased on average by 10% and loneliness 

decreased by 1 0.6%. Emotional restriction decreased on average by 13%, attitudes towards 

seeking psychological help increased by 10%, confidence to use resources to promote personal 

growth increased by 12.6%, and interest in gaining insight about themselves increased by 

19. 7%. These results suggest that Outward Bound Veterans provides both interpersonal and 

intrapersonal benefits for Veterans. This is significant considering the increasing rates of mental 

health issues among Veterans, particularly issues related to reintegration adjustment, 

depression, and anxiety/post-traumatic stress. Interpersonal factors, such as loneliness and 

sense of social connection, and mental health factors, such as depression and post-traumatic 

stress, are considered critical predictive factors of suicidal ideation. 

Additional Outward Bound Research and Program Evaluation 

In 2016, Outward Bound, in partnership with the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, began a longrange project on assessing outcomes of Outward Bound programs nationwide and also began 

to assess potential ways to invest in the quality and retention of our educators. The research 

component of this special project culled all regional research studies of Outward Bound 

programs nationwide conducted at institutions like the Susan Crown Exchange, Johns Hopkins, 

and the Angela Duckworth Lab. It will inform possible next steps in research and the impact and 

efficacy of Outward Bound's unique approach to teaching and character education. 

As part of an ongoing effort to monitor and improve safety, Outward Bound programs are 

regularly reviewed and audited by both internal and external teams to proactively identify and 

assess potential hazards as well as areas of commendation. Outward Bound has been a leader 

in wilderness safety and risk management for 50 years and is a co-presenter of the annual 

Wilderness Risk Management Conference. This national conference brings together outdoor 

industry leaders to learn and collaborate with each other to advance safety and risk 

management in the outdoor education and wilderness adventure community. 

11 
36 


GINGER MIHALIK, OUTWARD BOUND APRIL 27,2017 

Outward Bound instructors are experienced and qualified outdoor professionals committed to 

their students' well-being through their values, judgment, words, and actions. They are certified 

as Wilderness First Responders, Wilderness Advanced First Aiders, or the equivalent and meet 

all Outward Bound, local, state, and federal requirements for their positions. Outward Bound 

staff are trained to identify, assess, and approach risk as a learning tool, to be managed but not 

eliminated, with the goal of providing Outward Bound students with the opportunity to gain 

insights and perspectives into their own and their crew's capabilities that are unavailable 

anywhere else. Since 1962 over 650,000 students have participated in Outward Bound 

programs in cities, mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans. Over the years, and throughout a 

wide variety of activities, Outward Bound has maintained an excellent safety record. 

Looking ahead, there are many opportunities to be leveraged for growth of our students and our 

economy. Today's society faces challenges: declining economies, high unemployment, low 

wages, and an erosion of confidence and trust in traditional institutions requires that all of us 

work together to overcome these challenges. More than ever before, we must find innovative 

ways to education our youth and instill a sense of purpose, confidence, compassion and a 

desire to make a positive difference in the world. Now is a time of opportunity, a time to meet 

the demand for educational experiences that empower and motivate students of every age and 

background. 

Thank you again, Chairman Latta and Ranking Member Schakowsky for the invitation to be 

here today. I look forward to answering any questions. 

12 
37 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much. And again thanks for being 

with us today. And Mr. Tooze, you are recognized for 5 minutes for 

your opening statement. 

STATEMENT OF JEFFREY TOOZE 

Mr. TOOZE. Chairman Latta, Ranking Member Schakowsky, and 

members of the subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to 

testify on matters of importance to the 142 million Americans who 

recreate outdoors each year and the compelling numbers that you 

have already shared with us and Amy shared as well from the updated Outdoor Recreation Economy Report released just a couple 

days ago. 

I am proud to be here today on behalf of Columbia Sportswear 

Company, based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and in the great 

State of Oregon. I currently serve as vice president of Global Customs and Trade and have been with the company for over 16 years. 

Columbia Sportswear Company is a true American business success story that parallels the evolution of outdoor recreation as a 

vital and integral part of American culture and America’s economy. 

What began in 1938 as a small company purchased by a family 

that had just immigrated from Nazi Germany, it has grown to become a global leader in the outdoor recreation industry with $2.4 

billion in annual sales and supporting over 4,200 jobs across 38 

States and an additional 2,300 jobs across the globe. In 2016, the 

company ranked number 882 on the Fortune 1000, and next year 

the company will celebrate its 20th anniversary as a publicly traded company. 

While most people are very familiar with our Columbia Sportswear flagship brand, many are less aware that the company’s 

brand portfolio also includes Mountain Hardwear, SOREL, and 

prAna. Each of our brands targets specific consumer segments 

within the outdoor recreation industry. Columbia Sportswear Company’s rich heritage features storylines of immigration, entrepreneurship, innovation, and perseverance. 

Today, the company’s four brands and respective 4,200 hardworking American employees pursue a single, unified mission: We 

connect active people with their passions. We do that by designing 

innovative performance apparel, footwear, and accessories that enable people to enjoy the endless variety of healthy outdoor recreational activities available across this great Nation and in any 

climate, any weather, and any day of the year. 

We also support the efforts of more than 400 nonprofits around 

the country that are working to improve access to outdoor spaces 

and preserve the natural beauty of our parks, trails, and wetlands, 

so that they will be there for the next generations to enjoy. We 

pride ourselves on designing products that deliver real performance 

benefits and at accessible prices that put them within reach of consumers at all income levels. 

However, unlike many of the other 90 countries where our products are sold, the United States assesses among the highest import 

tariffs on our categories of products making them more expensive 

for U.S. consumers than they would otherwise need to be, and also 

stifling innovation of new, highly technical and high performance 

products and hampering our ability to keep our prices within the 

38 

reach of the broadest consumer base possible. In fact, U.S. duty 

rates on our products typically range from 7.1 percent to as high 

as 671⁄2 percent with an overall industry average of approximately 

15 percent. 

These duties in the U.S. date back to the 1930s and are no 

longer relevant as means to protect manufacturing jobs that migrated to other countries more than 30 years ago. Yet to this day, 

the apparel and footwear industry and especially the outdoor industry pays a disproportionate share of the U.S. duties. For example, the amount of duties paid by Columbia Sportswear Company 

in 2016 ranked it 49th out of 375,000 U.S. importers. We would 

much rather rank 49 on the Fortune 1000. 

We and all of the thousands of companies in the outdoor recreation industry are trying to expand the market of our products and 

promote increased outdoor recreation. But we are hindered by 

these high tariffs and in our ability to invest in more family-wage 

U.S. jobs such as product innovation, design, development, supply 

chain operations, digital commerce, marketing, finance, legal, 

human resources, and several other critical functions of our companies. 

We encourage Congress to reevaluate and modernize the outdated and antiquated duty structure in order to bring current with 

today’s global market realities and to help ease the unnecessary 

cost burden that is being borne by the outdoor recreation industry 

and American consumers. We are proud to be a leader in the outdoor recreation industry, an industry that embraces values that are 

foundational to America’s heritage, its culture, and to ensuring a 

thriving future for all Americans. 

I thank you for the opportunity to testify and I look forward to 

your questions. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Tooze follows:] 

39 


Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great Outdoors 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

Thursday, April 27, 2017; 2123 Rayburn House Office Building 

Jeffrey Tooze, Vice President of Global Customs & Trade, Columbia Sportswear Company 

Congressman Robert Latta, Chairman, Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and 

Consumer Protection 

Chairman Latta, Ranking Member Schakowsky, and members of the subcommittee - thank you for this 

opportunity to testify on matters of importance to the 142 million Americans who recreate outdoors 

each year, and to the thousands of companies that comprise the $887 billion U.S. Outdoor Recreation 

Industry, an industry that supports 7.6 million American jobs and pays $6S.3 billion in federal taxes and 

$59.2 billion in state and local taxes. 

I'm proud to be here today on behalf of Columbia Sportswear Company, based in the beautiful Pacific 

Northwest, in the great state of Oregon. I currently serve as Vice President of Global Customs and Trade 

and have been with the company for 16 years. 

Columbia Sportswear Company is a true American business success story that parallels the evolution of 

outdoor recreation as a vital and integral part of American culture and America's economy. 

What began in 1938 as a small hat company purchased by a family that had just immigrated from Nazi 

Germany has grown to become a global leader in the outdoor recreation industry with $2.4 billion in 

annual sales (including sales of $1.5 billion in the U.S.), supporting over 4,200 jobs across 38 states and 

an additional 2,300 jobs across the globe. In 2016, the company ranked number 882 on the Fortune 

1000. Next year the company will celebrate its 20'h anniversary as a publically traded company. 

While most people are very familiar with our $1.9 billion Columbia Sportswear flagship brand, many are 

less aware that the company's brand portfolio has grown to include the SOREL, prAna, and Mountain 

Hardwear brands that collectively represent another $450 million in annual sales. Each of our four 

brands targets specific consumer segments within the outdoor recreation industry. 

Columbia Sportswear Company's rich heritage features storylines of immigration, entrepreneurship, 

innovation and perseverance. Today, the company's four brands and 4,200 hard-working American 

employees pursue a single unified mission- We Connect Active People with Their Passions. 

We do that by designing innovative performance apparel, footwear and accessories that enable people 

to enjoy the endless variety of healthy outdoor recreational activities available across this great nation 
40 


in any climate, any weather, and any day of the year. We also support the efforts of more than 400 nonprofits around the country that are working to improve access to outdoor spaces, and preserve the 

natural beauty of our parks, trails and wetlands, so they will be there for the next generations to enjoy. 

We pride ourselves on designing products that deliver real performance benefits at accessible prices 

that put them within reach of consumers at all income levels. The primary raw materials that go into our 

products include synthetic fabrics, natural down, leather, cotton, rubber and plastics, whose prices are 

set by global commodities markets and apply more or less equally to all of our global competitors. 

However, unlike many of the other 90 countries where our products are sold, the United States assesses 

among the highest import tariffs on our categories of apparel, footwear and accessories, making them 

more expensive for U.S. consumers than they would otherwise need to be, stifling innovation of new, 

highly technical and high performance products and hampering our ability to keep our prices within 

reach of the broadest consumer base possible. 

Many of those duties, which range from 7.1 percent to as high as 67.S percent and average 

approximately 15 percent, date back to the 1930s and are no longer relevant as a means to protect 

manufacturing jobs that migrated to other countries more than 30 years ago. Yet to this day, the broad 

apparel and footwear industry and the especially the outdoor industry, pays a disproportionate share of 

U.S. duties. For example, the amount of duties paid by Columbia Sportswear Company in 2016 ranked it 

49th out of 375,000 U.S. importers. We would much rather rank number 49 on the Fortune 1000. 

We and all of the thousands of companies in the outdoor recreation industry are trying to expand the 

market for our products and promote increased outdoor recreation from people's backyards to the 

backcountry. But we are hindered by these high tariffs in our ability to invest in more family-wage U.S. 

jobs in product innovation and design, supply-chain operations, information technology, digital 

commerce, marketing, finance, legal, human resources and other critical functions of our companies. 

We encourage Congress to reevaluate and modernize this outdated and antiquated duty structure to 

bring it current with today's global market realities and help ease the unnecessary cost burden that is 

being borne by the outdoor recreation industry and American consumers. 

We are proud to be a leader in the Outdoor Recreation Industry, an industry that embraces values that 

are foundational to America's heritage, its culture, and to ensuring a thriving future for all Americans. I 

thank you for the opportunity to testify and I look forward to your questions. 

Jeffrey Tooze 

Vice President, Global Customs & Trade 

Columbia Sportswear Company 
41 

Mr. LATTA. Well, thank you very much for your testimony. And 

Mr. Berejka, you are recognized for 5 minutes for your opening 

statement. 

STATEMENT OF MARC BEREJKA 

Mr. BEREJKA. Thank you. Chairman Latta, Ranking Member 

Schakowsky, members of the subcommittee, again thanks for the 

chance to testify on behalf of REI Co-op. I am proud to appear 

alongside my recreation industry colleagues and share the great 

news about our sector’s economic impact. 

REI was founded almost 80 years ago as a co-op in Seattle when 

23 climbers came together to get good deals on climbing axes from 

Europe and other great gear. Today, REI has 145 stores in 36 

States, plus over 16 million co-op members across the country. We 

buy gear and apparel from over 1,000 firms distributed across the 

United States and we get thousands more Americans into the outdoors with classes, outings, adventure travel trips. 

If there are two thoughts I want to leave with you today they are 

these: First, the more we understand about the outdoor sector, the 

more we can create jobs and opportunity. Second, the outdoors significantly enhances all Americans’ quality of live and contributes to 

a stronger America overall. 

As a jumping off point on behalf of the co-op’s members, let me 

profoundly thank the committee for passing the Outdoor Rec Act 

last year. It will ensure that the United States measures our sector’s contributions with more authority and more detail. This law, 

this new law, is foundational to our path forward. 

My industry colleagues have spoken to the latest economic assessment. I won’t repeat those details. But let me say that in my 

experience, whenever we share this data, policymakers are hungry 

to learn how we can use the data for economic development. The 

outdoor sector has so many positive economic attributes. We are 

made up of thousands of main street and entrepreneurial businesses. We have prominent brands like REI, but the reality is our 

jobs are spread across businesses large and small. In rural towns 

it is often the case that recreation is the economic lifeblood. 

We are also an innovative sector, and in this country we consider 

ourselves the hotbed of innovation and outdoor products across the 

globe. Back in Seattle, REI employs designers, specialists in materials science, specialists in advanced manufacturing. We also buy 

dozens of hot innovative products from those who are working on 

outdoor electronics, high-tech apparel, advanced camping gear. 

We also run a sustainable business. In REI’s own operations we 

work to minimize our environmental impact. Since the year 2008, 

we have grown revenue by 78 percent; over that entire period our 

energy consumption has gone up by less than 5 percent. We are 

also now 100 percent powered by renewable energy. We invest in 

nonprofits, volunteerism, consumer education to protect the public 

lands because healthy public lands are the infrastructure that our 

sector relies on. 

Policymakers want to learn how to create these innovative, main 

street, entrepreneurial businesses. For instance, I know of economic development activities bubbling away in Arkansas, Oregon, 

Washington, and Utah; with data generated by the Rec Act we 

42 

should be able to develop our economy, our rec economy, even faster, so again thank you for your work on the legislation. 

We also need to recognize the enormous spillover benefits of outdoor recreation. In some ways, you can think of our sector as adjacent to health care, but at the front end. An increasing body of 

science shows that time outdoors, whether it is exercising or just 

rejuvenating, it is good for you. It is low-cost preventive medicine. 

In some exciting research that REI has backed at Cal Berkeley, 

people are finding that time outdoors can mitigate PTSD symptoms 

in returning vets. 

Our sector also fosters positive community development. We 

know that towns with great outdoor opportunities attract businesses, not just outdoor businesses but businesses of all types. We 

know that access to safe green spaces in cities makes neighborhoods more cohesive, strengthens the social fabric. We know that 

when more people walk and bike to jobs or to transit our transportation networks are more sustainable. 

Lastly, the outdoors, we should be proud, is also part of healthy 

childhood development. There is an increasing body of research 

that shows that kids open their minds in unique ways when they 

have outdoor opportunities. All of these attributes in the long run 

contribute to a healthier economy, healthier people, healthier communities, and a stronger United States of America. 

We have limited time here today, but REI looks forward to working with the committee. We are fond of saying that united, outside 

we are united. We look forward to working on these issues in that 

united spirit. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Berejka follows:] 

43 


Before the House Energy & Commerce Committee 

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce & Consumer Protection 

Hearing on 

"Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great Outdoors" 

April27, 2017 

Testimony of 

Marc Berejka 

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI Co-op) 

Director, Government & Community Affairs 

Chairman Latta, Ranking Member Schakowsky, and members of the subcommittee. 

Thank you for the chance to testify on behalf of REI Co-op. I'm proud to appear alongside my 

recreation-industry colleagues and share the great news about our sector's economic impact. 

REI was founded almost 80 years ago as a co-op in Seattle -when 23 climbers came together 

to get good deals on climbing axes from Europe and other great gear. Today, REI has 145 stores 

in 36 states, plus over 16 million co-op members. We buy gear and apparel from over 1,000 

companies from around the country. We get thousands of Americans into the outdoors via our 

own classes, outings and adventure travel trips. 

If there are two thoughts I want to leave you with today, they are: 

• First, the more we understand the outdoor sector, the more we can create jobs and 

opportunity; 

• Second, the outdoors significantly enhances Americans' quality oflife and contributes to a 

stronger America overall. 

As a jumping off point- and on behalf of the Co-op's members -let me thank the committee 

for passing the OUTDOOR Rec Act last year. It will assure that the United States measures our 

sector's contributions with more authority and detail. The law is foundational to our shared 

path forward. 

My industry colleagues have spoken to the latest economic assessment. I won't repeat the 

details. In my experience -when policymakers hear this data- they are hungry to learn how 

they can use it for economic development. The outdoor sector has many positive economic 

attributes: 
44 


• We are made up of thousands of Main Street businesses and entrepreneurs. We have 

prominent brands like REI, but the reality is our jobs are spread across businesses large 

and small. Inrural towns, recreation is often the economic lifeblood. 

• We are an innovative sector, and this country is the global hotbed of outdoor product 

innovation. Back in Seattle, we employ designers, as well as specialists in materials science 

and advanced manufacturing. We buy from dozens of other vendors high-tech camping 

gear, outdoor electronics and performance apparel. 

• We also run sustainable businesses. In REI's own operations we work to minimize our 

environmental impact. Since 2008, we have grown revenue by 78% but limited growth in 

energy consumption to 4.5%. We are now 100% powered by renewable energy. We also 

invest in nonprofits, volunteerism and consumer-education to protect our public lands, 

because healthy public lands are the infrastructure our sector relies on. 

Policymakers want to learn how to grow these innovative, Main Street, sustainable businesses. 

For instance, I know of economic development projects currently bubbling in Arkansas, 

Oregon, Utah and Washington. With data generated by the Rec Act, we should be able to move 

economic development along even faster. So again, thank you for your work on the legislation. 

Then, there are the spillover benefits outdoor recreation generates. 

• In some ways, our sector can be seen as adjacent to healthcare, but at the front end. An 

increasing body of science shows that time outdoors - exercising or rejuvenating- is good 

for you. It's low-cost preventative medicine. In some exciting REI-backed research, 

thought leaders at Cal Berkeley are finding that time outdoors can mitigate PTSD 

symptoms in our returning vets. 

• Our sector also fosters positive community development. We know that towns with great 

outdoor opportunities attract a wider range of new businesses, both in the outdoor sector 

and beyond. We know that access to safe green spaces in cities, makes neighborhoods more 

cohesive, with a stronger social fabric. We know the more people walk and bike to jobs or 

transit, the more sustainable our transportation networks will be. 

• The outdoors can even be part of childhood development. There is an increasing body of 

research that shows that kids open their minds in unique ways when they can explore and 

play outdoors. 

All of these attributes, in the long run, contribute to a healthier economy, healthier people, 

healthier communities- and a stronger country. 

We have limited time today, but REI looks forward to continuing the dialogue with this 

committee. At REI, we say, "a life outdoors is a life well lived." Together, we can make that a 

reality for more people, more communities, and more businesses. 

At REI, we also know we can be more "United Outside." The outdoors is cherished and 

defended by America's leaders, left, right and center. We look forward to working with 

members of this committee with that united spirit in mind. Thank you. 

2 
45 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much for your testimony today. And 

at this time the Chair recognizes Mr. Jones for 5 minutes for your 

opening statement. Thank you for being here. 

STATEMENT OF JEREMY JONES 

Mr. JONES. Good morning, Chairman Latta, Ranking Member 

Schakowsky, and members of the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. My name is Jeremy Jones. I am 

a professional snowboarder and founder of Protect Our Winters, a 

nonprofit based in Colorado with over 150,000 members nationwide, and the founder of Jones Snowboards, a snowboard company 

with $8 million in annual sales. 

Ten years ago, I founded Protect Our Winters because I have 

spent my life in the mountains and I have witnessed the impacts 

of climate change on our winters firsthand. Our mission is to engage and mobilize the snow sports industry to lead the fight 

against climate change. 

The snow sports community deeply understands the threat that 

climate change poses on its future. Snowpack is now confined to 

the highest elevations and what should be falling as snow is in fact 

falling as rain. Our seasons are noticeably shorter. We understand 

that if we don’t act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions we will see 

the end of winter as we know it. We are pleased that the Rec Act 

passed last year with unanimous bipartisan support, thank you. 

Today I will speak to the importance of environmental protection 

to ensure a prosperous future for the outdoor recreation economy. 

As the climate continues to warm our winters, the snow sports industry is increasingly vulnerable. According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2017 Outdoor Rec Economy Report, nationwide 

the snow sports industry generates 72 billion annually and supports 695,000 jobs. That means the snow sports industry is responsible for almost 70,000 more American jobs than our country’s extractive industries. 

Across the United States, average winter temperatures have 

warmed almost two degrees Fahrenheit since 1895 and that rate 

of warming has more than tripled since 1970. In the Sierra where 

I live, the snowpack is projected to decrease up to 70 percent by 

2050. Ski resorts have lost over $1 billion in revenue and up to 

27,000 jobs in low snowfall years the last decade. In recent seasons, 

50 percent of resorts are both opening late and closing early. By 

2010, 88 percent of resorts report utilizing snowmaking to supplement natural snow cover to stay in business which adds an additional 500,000 expense to their annual operations. 

Unfortunately, climate change will decimate far more than the 

snow sports industry. Our snowpack will not be sufficient to keep 

stream temperatures low and warmer rivers will diminish fish 

habitat, making fishing difficult. In Montana, it is now prohibited 

to fly fish after 2:00 p.m. in the summer as the waters are too 

warm. This rule has devastated the fishing and guiding industry. 

Our rivers will have less water, reducing stream flow and making 

waters harder to navigate for kayaks and canoes. 

These changes are already impacting rural economies nationwide 

and these are communities in places that you represent. From the 

Oregon Cascades to the headwaters of the Cheat River, from the 

46 

Sangre de Cristo Range to the shores of Lake Michigan, they rely 

on outdoor tourism for economic security. 

I travel the world for my career. The climate change knows no 

borders; it is the same story everywhere. Early on, my career took 

me to Chamonix to ride the Vallee Blanche, a popular glacier run 

in France. In 1920, they built the train to take you back to town 

from the bottom of the glacier. As the glacier receded, they put in 

a chair lift to take you from the end of the glacier to the train. 

When I first visited in 1990, it was a 20-minute hike from the 

end of the glacier to the chair lift. Today, it takes an hour to go 

from the end of the glacier to the chair lift to the train which takes 

you back to town. We know glaciers are receding, but this is occurring at an alarming rate. In the winter of 2010, I hiked up the 

grassy slopes of an old ski area in British Columbia with a friend. 

When I asked him why the resort wasn’t open, he said, it just 

doesn’t snow here anymore. He is 30 years old. He has seen winter 

diminish in his lifetime. 

Now I call Truckee, California home. As the owner of a 

snowboard company, I run many small businesses that depend on 

a stable climate and snowy winters. With every inconsistent winter 

our community’s economy suffers. Thanksgiving traditionally 

marked the start of winter. Tourists are now hesitant to make 

Christmas plans. This shortens our tourism season and the community from local outfitters to restaurants on Main Street to the 

resort employees pays the price. Snow is our currency. 

Snowboarding has led me to a life outdoors. Just like farmers 

and fishermen I have observed these changes daily for the past 30 

years. I am now a father. I constantly think about a world my son 

and daughter will grow up in. Climate change is changing places 

we play right now. In the future, what will these places look like 

for my kids? Will they experience a lifetime of snowy winters? I am 

deeply concerned about the future of outdoor recreation. 

In this hearing’s announcement, Chairman, you said you look 

forward to hearing how Congress can support the outdoor recreation economy’s growth and viability. I respectfully request that 

you act on climate and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions to ensure the future and prosperity of outdoor recreation. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Jones follows:] 

47 


POND 

PROTECT OUR WINTERS 

April 27, 20~7 

Congressman Bob Latta 

Chair, Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

2488 Rayburn House Office Building 

Washington, DC 205~5 

Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky 

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

2367 Rayburn House Office Building 

Washington, DC 205~5 

RE: "Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great Outdoors" 

Good morning Chairman Latta, Ranking Member Schakowsky, and members of the Subcommittee on 

Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. My name is Jeremy Jones, I am from Truckee, California. I 

am a professional snowboarder, the founder of Protect Our Winters, a non-profit based in Colorado 

with over ~5o,ooo members nationwide, and the founder of Jones Snowboards, a snowboard company 

with $10 million in annual sales. 

Ten years ago, I founded Protect Our Winters because I have spent my life in the mountains, and I have 

witnessed the impacts of climate change on our winters first-hand. POW's mission is to engage and 

mobilize the snowsports industry to lead the fight against climate change. The snowsports community 

deeply understands the threat that climate change poses on its future. Snowpack is confined to the 

highest elevations. What should be falling as snow is in fact falling as rain. Our seasons are noticeably 

shorter. We understand that if we don't act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will see the end of 

winter as we know it. 

We are very pleased that the REC Act passed last year with unanimous, bipartisan support-thank you. 

As a small business owner in the snowsports industry, I believe it is crucial for our government to 

understand outdoor recreation's impact when it comes to supporting jobs and economic growth. 

I am present today to speak to the importance of environmental protection to ensure a prosperous 

future for the outdoor recreation economy. As the climate continues to warm our winters, the 

snowsports industry is increasingly vulnerable. According to the Outdoor Industry Association's 20~7 

Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, nationwide, the snowsports industry generates $72 billion 

annually and supports 6gs,ooo jobs. That means, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 

snowsports industry is responsible for almost 70,000 more American jobs than our country's extractive 

industries. In 2ou, Protect Our Winters contracted with the University of New Hampshire to produce 

an independent report to understand the economic cost to ski resorts in low snowfall years. I would like 

to share the data from that study with you today. 

Across the United States, average winter temperatures have warmed almost two degrees Fahrenheit 

since ~895, and that rate of warming has more than tripled since ~970. In the Sierra, where I live, the 
48 


PONIB 

PROTECT OUR WINTERS 

snowpack is projected to decrease up to 70% by 2050. The strongest winter warming trends have 

occurred in the northern half of the United States, where snow is an integral part of the economy. 

Ski resorts have lost over one billion dollars in aggregated revenue between low and high snow fall 

years in the last decade. The corresponding impact on employment is a loss of up to 27,000 jobs. These 

values directly reflect the fact that in low snowfall years, states see up to 36% fewer skier visits. In 

recent seasons, so% of resorts are both opening late and closing early. By 2010, 88% of resorts report 

utilizing snowmaking to supplement natural snow cover to stay in business, which adds an additional 

$50o,ooo expense to annual operations. 

But unfortunately, climate change will decimate far more than just our winter tourism economy. We 

know that if snow continues to fall as rain, our ski areas will continue to struggle. But more so-the 

snowpack will not be sufficient to keep stream temperatures low, and warmer rivers will diminish fish 

habitat, making fishing difficult. Our rivers will have less water, reducing stream flow and making 

waters harder to navigate for kayaks and canoes. Rising temperatures will make it difficult to exercise 

outdoors, shortening our mountain biking, hiking, and trail running seasons. These changes are already 

impacting rural economies nationwide, and these are communities in places that you represent-from 

the Oregon Cascades to the headwaters of the Cheat River, from the Sangre de Cristo Range to the 

shores of Lake Michigan. They rely on outdoor tourism for economic security. 

I recognize I just fired off a bunch of statistics. That's not alii came here to do. I traveled to Washington 

today to share my story with you: 

I grew up on Cape Cod, and I went to high school in Maine. Winter has always been a big part of my life, 

and it has shaped who I am today.! have travelled the world for my career and climate change knows 

no borders. It's the same story everywhere. 

Early on, my career took me to Chamonix to ride the Vallee Blanche.lt's a popular run down a glacier.ln 

1920, they built a train to take you back to town at the bottom. Then, they put in a chairlift to take you 

from the end of the run to the train. When I first visited the Vallee Blanche, in 1990, it was a twentyminute hike from the end of the glacier to the chairlift. Today, it takes an hour. We know glaciers are 

receding, but this is occurring at an alarming rate. 

In 2007, I hiked up the grassy slopes of an old ski area in British Columbia with a friend. When I asked 

him why the resort wasn't open, he said "It just doesn't snow here anymore." He's 30 years old. He's 

seen winter diminish in his lifetime. 

Now, I call Truckee, California home. As a rural mountain town dependent on tourism, Truckee depends 

on consistent snowfall. Each year, spring arrives earlier and earlier. This year, while we thankfully had 

snow at the highest elevations, we had rain throughout the winter at lower elevations that have always 

seen snow. 

As the owner of a snowboard manufacturing company, I run one of the many small businesses in 

mountain towns that depend on a stable climate and snowy winters. With every inconsistent winter, 

our community's economy suffers. The ski resorts used to open on Thanksgiving; now, we're lucky if it's 
49 


PONH 

PROTECT OUR WINTERS 

Christmas. This shortens our tourism season and my community-from the local outfitters and 

restaurants on Main Street to the resort employees-pays the price. Snow is our currency. 

Snowboarding has led me to a life outdoors. Just like farmers and fishermen, I've observed these 

changes, daily, for the past 30 years. And now, I'm a father. I constantly think about the world my son 

and daughter will grow up in. Climate change is changing the places we play right now. In the future, 

what will these places look like for Mia and Cass? Will they experience a lifetime of snowy winters? I am 

deeply concerned about the future of outdoor recreation in the face of climate change. 

In the press release to announce this hearing, Chairman Latta, you said you look forward to hearing 

first-hand from witnesses on how Congress can support the outdoor recreation economy's growth and 

viability. I respectfully request that you act on climate and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions to ensure 

the future and prosperity of outdoor recreation. 

Jeremy Jones 

Founder and President 

Protect Our Winters· 
50 

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Jones, thank you very much for your testimony. 

And Mr. Landers, you are now recognized for 5 minutes for your 

opening statement. 

STATEMENT OF JAMES LANDERS 

Mr. LANDERS. Thank you. Batting cleanup today, yes, J. Landers. 

I am with the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. That is the 

national trade association representing all recreation vehicles, from 

the big motor homes all the way down through the whole trailer 

system including the little pop-ups and the sliding campers that go 

in the back of a pickup truck. 

So about a year and a half ago we did our first economic impact 

study and what we found we were really surprised. We, the RV industry, generates about $50 billion for the U.S. economy. In that 

process, we also discovered that we support about 290,000 jobs, and 

honestly, we are creating jobs faster than we can fill them. All 

right, think about that. Let me take you back a few years before 

that. 

So during the Great Recession our industry got crushed. It is a 

disposable income product, so the unemployment rate in Elkhart, 

northern Indiana, was about 20 percent. I am happy to report that 

right now we are at about 3.1 percent which is virtual full employment. So as an example one of my biggest manufacturers, Thor Industries, they are expanding their capacity at four of their plants; 

more than that, now they are adding six new factories. Each factory is probably a hundred to 200 full-time, well-paying jobs. That 

is in northern Indiana, Idaho, Oregon, so various States around the 

country. And I can tell you they are not alone. There are plenty of 

other RV manufacturers and suppliers that are expanding. 

So what is really fueling this growth? Several things. Retail and 

wholesale credit still readily available; interest rates are still very 

reasonable; consumer sentiment is solid; gas prices steady—that is 

nice. U.S. citizens have chosen now to stay home. They are not 

going abroad as much as they used to be, so staying home and visiting the iconic lands of our country, that is where we love to see 

that. 

And the last part is the demand is from Baby Boomers. We know 

there are about 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring every day. And the 

other side of that is the Millennials. Who knew, right? The 

Millennials are looking at the convenience, the comfort, all of the 

amenities in these new RVs, whether it be a motor home or a trailer, and they are all about mobility and that is what we offer. 

But we really do have some significant challenges. Our research 

shows that 89 percent of people buy an RV to go camping at some 

point. So of the 431,000 units that we put into the stream of commerce last year, that means about 383,000 want to go camping at 

some point and that is part of the problem. I can tell you now that 

the RV associated overnight stays in the national park system is 

declining. 

In the early and mid- 80s, there were about 4.5 million RV related stays at the national campgrounds. We are down to about two 

million now, so it has been cut more than half. Why? The biggest 

reason, we have all heard about this in the news, infrastructure, 

right. The Federal land agencies haven’t invested in their assets. 

51 

Campgrounds are in terrible shape, many of them. Marinas need 

work, the supply stores, the bathhouses, the bathing facilities, they 

all need attention. What we are really looking at is an Eisenhowerera campground system trying to provide needs for the 21st century recreation vehicle, and it is failing. It is just not working. 

And as crazy as this sounds, the other big want that we have 

come to recognize is both Baby Boomers and Millennials want WiFi 

and broadband. I mean, even in the national parks, you spend the 

day out hiking and camping and walking, snowmobiling, you come 

back you want to connect, and especially the young Millennials. 

The other part of this is that the State campground system and the 

private campground system have invested in their facilities and so 

people are choosing to go to the State parks instead of the national 

parks and they are going to the private campgrounds because they 

can get the amenities. 

So what are we going to do about this? Well, the recreation vehicle industry along with several other, about 13 to 18 other outdoor 

recreation trade associations formed a new trade group, a new coalition called the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable, and this 

is the business side. Anything to do with outdoor recreation, it is 

in this coalition. And what do we want to do? Our charter is really 

to become a resource and a partner with the Federal agencies that 

deal with outdoor recreation. 

We want to work with the agencies and Congress on three basic 

things: ensure reasonable access to all public lands; we want to establish a system of public-private partnerships, and specifically for 

us of course we are interested in modernizing and expanding the 

campgrounds; and we also want to encourage the departments to 

encourage a culture of yes, first, instead of well, maybe that is not 

really in my job description. 

So to wrap up, the RV business is looking good. It is strong. All 

the indications look like 2017 is going to be even a better year, and 

we look forward to working with our fellow Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable partners to work with Federal agencies making 

sure that all outdoor recreation experiences are met and in fact exceeded. Thank you for your time. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Landers follows:] 

52 


RECREATION VEHICLE 

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 

"Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great 

Outdoors" 

Testimony ofthe Recreation Vehicle Industry Association 

before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, 

Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee 

April 27, 2017 

James Landers, Vice President of Government Affairs 
53 


The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) is the national trade association that 

represents the manufacturers of family camping vehicles, including motorhomes, travel trailers, 

fifth wheel travel trailers, folding camping trailers, park models and truck campers, collectively 

known as recreation vehicles (RVs), and their component part suppliers. RVIA's members 

produce approximately 98 percent of all RVs manufactured in the United States. A majority of 

these members are small business entities. 

The RV industry has become an economic powerhouse and contributes $50 billion annually 

to the U.S. economy, as measured by RVs Move America, the economic impact study of the 

industry. A copy of the national level findings is attached as Appendix A to this testimony. On 

the interactive website, rvsmoveamerica.org, state and congressional district economic impact 

fact sheets are also available. 

The RV industry currently supports 290,000 American workers and we're creating jobs faster 

than we can fill them. Our industry was hit hard during the "Great Recession" in 2008 and 

subsequently in 2009 posted our worst year since 1991. The unemployment rate in Elkhart, IN, 

where most RV manufacturing is centered, climbed to almost 20%. 

However, I'm excited to report that we've come roaring back and are growing exponentially. 

In 2016, the RV industry posted its best year since the late 1970s with nearly 431,000 new RVs 

shipped, and the unemployment rate in Elkhart, IN has now dropped to 3.1%. Furthermore, 

we're already seeing significant growth in 2017! 

1 
54 


So, what are the factors contributing to the significant growth of the RV Industry? First and 

foremost, the RV industry offers convenience, contemporary amenities, comfort, fun, adventure, 

and a chance to experience premier tailgating opportunities, exciting road trips, modem camping 

accommodations, family bonding and countless unforgettable memories. 

We're engaging with current and potential RVers and recreation-minded individuals in new 

and unique ways through the industry's state-of-the-art Go RVing advertising campaign. We're 

promoting the RV and outdoor recreation lifestyle across digital and social media channels, as 

well as through conventional media outlets. Last year alone consumers engaged and interacted 

with 105 million total impressions with 763 thousand total followers creating 3.2 million 

Facebook video views, 13.3 million touches via Twitter and 900,000 interactions via Facebook 

Live events. 

Other factors include: wholesale and retail lending is readily available; interest rates are low 

and consumer sentiment is solid; gas prices are reasonable; the desire of American citizens to 

stay in the U.S. and experience our iconic lands and waters versus going abroad; and demand 

from Baby Boomers retiring as well as demand from a diverse mix ofMillennials and urban 

resident flocking towards the amenities and comforts the RV lifestyle provides. 

RVIA, along with leaders of the top outdoor recreation trade associations, made an 

unprecedented move earlier this year to join forces in creating the Outdoor Recreation Industry 

Roundtable (ORIR). The Roundtable is comprised of America's leading outdoor recreation trade 

associations. Collectively, Roundtable members represent the thousands of U.S. businesses that 

2 
55 


produce and provide equipment, gear, apparel, vehicles and services for the 142 million 

Americans who enjoy our nation's parks, waterways, and byways every year. The coalition 

spans outdoor recreational activities such as boating, fishing, hunting, camping, archery, 

shooting sports, trail sports, snow sports and powersports, and includes the various recreational 

vehicles, outdoor equipment, and clothing used to pursue these activities. ORIR is dedicated to: 

• ensuring the primary drivers of the outdoor recreation economy across the U.S. are 

recognized; 

• bolstering sustainable domestic job growth; 

• changing the mindset of federal agencies so recreational access and visitor experience are 

prioritized; 

• removing barriers that hinder private investment from being made on public lands and 

waters; and 

• enacting the necessary policy reforms and collaborating with federal agencies to enable 

the outdoor recreation economy to reach its full potential. 

But there are some challenges creating a bumpy road ahead for the RV industry. 

Industry research shows that 89% of consumers purchase R V s to go camping. So that means 

383,000 of the 431,000 RV s shipped JUST last year will roll up to many federal campgrounds 

this year, not counting the other 9 million RVers already traveling the country visiting the iconic 

lands and waters managed by the federal land agencies. 

3 
56 


However, RV-associated stays within National Park Service campgrounds have declined 

from nearly 4.5 million overnights in the 1980s to less than 2 million overnight stays in 2013, 

which represents the worst year for RV overnight stays in National Park Service facilities in 

decades. This is occurring even though RV shipments and sales have grown dramatically, and 

state and private campgrounds are reporting significant increases in RV overnight stays. 

Many campgrounds operated by federal agencies were constructed half a century ago and no 

longer meet the needs of the current and next generations ofRVers. Campground modernization, 

particularly as it relates to RV camping, is needed throughout the federal campground system. 

The RV industry and the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable want to be a resource and 

partner with the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to 

modernize campgrounds, streamline processes and offer suggestions to create additional revenue 

that can be used to address the backlogged maintenance and the deteriorating campground 

infrastructure. 

The RV industry has outlined various factors that we believe have contributed to the drastic 

decline in RV overnight stays at National Park Service campgrounds which include, but are not 

limited to: a short camping seasons even though demand is high; the desire for RV camping sites 

far exceeds capacity in some locations; limiting access to where RVers can camp; a lack of 

amenities including broadband/Wi-Fi coverage, that current and next-generation RVers desire; in 

many instances the inability to reserve RV sites online hinders reservations; and small outdated 

RV sites can no longer accommodate modern RVs. 

4 
57 


Removing barriers that prevent private companies from being able to invest in, modernize, 

and manage campgrounds is imperative. Public-private partnerships can be utilized more 

frequently as mechanisms -- many being budget neutral -- for increasing recreational access, 

addressing backlogged maintenance, and modernizing deteriorating assets. 

For example: 

• Campground operation is not an inherently federal responsibility and should be put 

out to bid to successful campground operators and concessionaires which will 

modernize assets, increase revenue, and provide a more enjoyable experience for all 

visitors. 

• Contract length should be extended so concessionaires can amortize their 

investments. 

• Approval process should be streamlined to less than 30 days so concessionaires can 

implement efficient and effective business decisions. 

• Expanding broadband and wi-fi coverage, completely digitalizing the reservation and 

fee collection system, streamlining campground fee collection to prevent "honor 

system" revenue loss, allowing fee flexibility based upon site location and peak/nonpeak season, extending the camping season based upon economic demand and 

weather, and capitalizing on revenues generated through RV camping will all greatly 

benefit federal campgrounds and the American people. 

5 
58 


• The current process in place for registration is manual and inefficient. Having a 

system where an RVer can pick a campsite, reserve a campsite, pay for a campsite, 

and fill in all necessary information, so when they arrive to the campground all the 

staff has to do is simply scan a bar code and they capture all required information 

from the camper instantaneously and guarantee that payment has been processed is 

vital. 

• Digital boards at the entrances to parks that show how many campsites are available 

will prevent campgrounds that have open sites from being shown as "full" on a 

hanging wooden board. 

• No Department recreation asset that is simply lacking funding or behind in 

maintenance should be closed before a request for proposal has been submitted to the 

public to maintain, improve, or fund said asset. The public should have at least 60 

calendar days to submit a proposal. 

• A system is needed for the Department to be able to receive unsolicited proposals 

from for-profit companies, non-profits, volunteers, and individuals to rehabilitate, 

maintain, modernize, fund and/or expand existing or underutilized areas for improved 

visitor recreation experiences. 

Ultimately, the RV industry and Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable are standing 

tall ready to partner with the Committee, Congress, the Department ofinterior, Department 

of Agriculture and other federal agencies. We are committed to supplying innovative 

solutions and partnerships to advance our shared vision of increasing access to modem 

recreational opportunities and enjoyable experiences for all visitors on federal lands. 

6 
59 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much for your testimony. I thank all 

of our witnesses for testifying before the subcommittee today, and 

I will recognize myself to begin the questions. And if I may, Ms. 

Roberts, I would like to start with a question to you. 

First of all, interested in your testimony and all of the statistics 

that you quoted, especially how things have, really, the exponential 

number of changes like from 2012 for the industry of $646 billion 

and then that changing to, in just 5 years’ time, to $887 billion, 

and also the $125 billion in taxes, and just on what we are looking 

at the industry has generated out there. 

So I guess when you look at all this information, how does this 

information that we gather from the Outdoor Rec Act, how is that 

going to affect the industry as it moves forward and what do you 

think the role should be that we as policymakers should have then? 

Ms. ROBERTS. Thank you for the question, Chairman Latta. The 

growth in the number between the 2012 report and the 2017 report 

really shows the growth in our industry over time. The other thing 

that occurred is that this report has really become the gold standard for how outdoor recreation is viewed and so we are always approached to add new activity categories, which we did in the report. 

So, and then the other interesting bit of information is just that 

the sample size for this report was actually quite a lot bigger, 70 

percent larger than in our 2012 report. And so looking ahead that 

is actually going to allow us to release data in the next 6 months 

that shows the economic impact, jobs created, taxes paid at the 

congressional district level, which I think will be very informative 

as local communities and as this body and Members of Congress 

think about how do you develop an outdoor recreation economy in 

your local community. 

And for us that really means investing in outdoor recreation infrastructure, investing in public lands, ensuring that the facilities 

are there when Americans get outside to recreate that they have 

places to go. And I think that is both places to go near their homes 

so that outdoor recreation is a part of everyone’s lives. Our goal is 

really to have an outdoor recreation opportunity within 10 minutes 

of everyone’s homes as well as that people can aspire for the bigger 

adventures on the weekends. 

So we really are looking for both local policymakers, State policymakers, and then the Federal Government to see our economy as 

a growth sector as uniquely American. These jobs are not easily 

outsourced. We are going to take advantage of our amazing natural 

resources that are here in the U.S. and as a way to drive opportunity for rural communities but also urban areas. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you. 

Ms. Mihalik, if I could ask a couple of questions for you. Could 

you explain the program model that you use for Outward Bound 

to help our veterans and service members as they come back to 

their respective communities? And, really, I want to thank you for 

all that you are doing for our veterans out there. Thank you. 

Ms. MIHALIK. Oh, you are welcome. Thank you for the question. 

So Outward Bound has a curriculum that has been developed since 

1941 when Outward Bound was founded in Wales, came to the 

United States in Colorado in ’67, and we have used the same model 

that entire time. It has evolved a little bit over time, but essenVerDate Mar 15 2010 11:16 May 14, 2018 Jkt 037690 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 I:\115THCONGRESS\115X27OUTDOORRECASKOK062917\115X27OUTDOORRECWORK
60 

tially you are taking a group of people, and it could be veterans, 

it could be youth, it could be any adult, out into a wilderness setting and there is an intentional progression that the crew goes 

through in order to learn new skills. 

With veterans it can be a little more unique. Our instructors receive a lot of additional training on how to deal with the issues 

that they are working through, but you take them through three 

phases of a course. There is training, main, final, where you are 

trying to teach them the skills that they are going to need out in 

real life but in a wilderness setting. Things like communication, 

how do you support each other; how do you ask for what you need? 

The veterans find as they are on these courses together they get 

to practice those skills in a setting that is familiar to them. It is 

much like being in a war setting. They are in the trenches with 

their crew, they get to work through those skills, and then they 

learn how to transfer them back to their day to day life. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you. 

Ms. MIHALIK. Sure. 

Mr. LATTA. And if I could turn to you, Mr. Berejka. In your testimony you mentioned that the outdoor recreation is an innovative 

sector. Can you highlight some of the innovations that come from 

this space and speak to the advancements in technologies that are 

being used to enhance outdoor recreation gear and apparel? 

Mr. BEREJKA. Sure. In fact, my buddy Jeff, here, probably has an 

example on the chair. They have invented a water repellent jacket 

that uses recycled materials and that imposes limited harm on the 

environment. One of the things we are very conscientious of as we 

produce these products is not just how we assemble them but what 

their end of life is. And so REI awarded Columbia our first ever 

Root Award for inventing the most sustainable, water repellent 

jacket we have ever seen. That is just one example. 

Mr. LATTA. Well, thank you very much. And my time has expired 

and at this time I will recognize the gentlelady from Illinois, the 

ranking member of the subcommittee, for 5 minutes. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to take this 

opportunity, today is Take Your Daughters to Work Day, and I just 

wanted to introduce my adopted daughter for the day, Elena Tate. 

Stand up for 1 second, OK, Girls Inc., behind me, and also acknowledge Lizzy Carroll, who is here. Lizzy. Jeff Carroll, our chief 

of staff for the Democrats, his daughter. Thank you, Lizzy. Thank 

you, kids. 

I also wanted to apologize, although he is not here, to Mr. 

Bucshon, who I called Mr. Mullin earlier, my colleague in Indiana, 

next to where I have a home and next to my district. 

So let me talk a little bit about the environment—and I appreciate the emphasis on environment that we heard from everyone— 

from the standpoint very much of economics in our country which 

I think sometimes we don’t think about. I was really interested in 

the statistics. Ms. Roberts and Mr. Jones talked a bit about that, 

all of you, really, about the contribution to our economy that is 

really dependent on our environment, and then concerns about the 

changing environment. 

And so I want to turn to our witnesses, and I wanted to start— 

Mr.—now I am going to try it. I have ‘‘Bur-ah-ka.’’ 

61 

Mr. BEREJKA. Bur-ay-ka. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Bur-ay-ka, OK. 

Mr. BEREJKA. It is a good Chicago Polish name. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. OK. I should know. Schakowsky, I should 

know that, but—— 

Mr. BEREJKA. Polish Lithuanian. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Yes. So how concerned is your company, then, 

about the effect of climate change on the future stability and economic growth of the industry and your business in particular? 

Mr. BEREJKA. I think REI Co-op identified climate change as a 

business risk probably 10 to 15 years ago. And so like the rest of 

the panelists, we are concerned that with the changing climate 

comes hotter, longer summers as well as shorter winters, and that 

can affect the economic vitality of the industry, for sure. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Tooze, I wondered if you wanted to talk 

about that at all. I know you were talking about tariffs, and I want 

to talk about the climate. 

Mr. TOOZE. Sure. Well, thank you. I appreciate that, Ranking 

Member. I think one way—ours is pretty easy, you know, we make 

products to adapt to all these changes. We produce in over 90 countries around the world and a multitude of climates, and we rely on 

the associations and whatnot to help address the things in a more 

macro level and then we make sure we protect our consumers. 

We kind of have this—we keep our consumers warm, dry, cool, 

and protected, and then I think, you know, but we also have to 

align our values with our consumers. Marc was just talking about 

this jacket here which we have won lots of awards on, and it is actually waterproof-breathable, not just water resistant. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Does it come in any other colors? Just asking, 

never mind. 

Mr. TOOZE. It is actually made from 21 water bottles. It saved 

13, one jacket saves 13 gallons of water because there is no dye 

using the process. It is PFC-free and it is still waterproof- breathable, very protective, and I think it is just a good—and it is recyclable. So it is a good showcase of what we try to do as a brand to 

adapt to that. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you. Many of the business leaders in 

our outdoor recreation industry recognize the threat of climate 

change, and since 2013 more than 1,000 companies have signed the 

climate declaration as a call to action. And Mr. Chairman, I would 

like to request unanimous consent to introduce a copy of this declaration for the record, including a list of the signatories from the 

outdoor industry. 

Let me just say one sentence here that I thought I marked. 

There must be a coordinated effort to combat climate change with 

America taking the lead here at home. Leading is what we have 

always done and by working together, regardless of politics, we will 

do it again. And I know the Outdoor Industry Association is listed 

here and I am hopeful that—are all of you on this? I don’t know. 

Anybody, oK. 

I am just about out of time, but I did want to say to Mr. Jones, 

so are you concerned by efforts to slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior, and other 

62 

Federal agencies with important missions regarding outdoor recreation? 

Mr. JONES. It is incredibly disheartening. I feel like, you know, 

the EPA, for example, is a great example of an agency formed by 

a Republican with bipartisan support and to see this become a political issue, I think, has been a huge problem. And we are really 

at this 11th hour. We have the solutions and we just need to embrace them and we need bipartisan support to do that. And at a 

time when the EPA couldn’t be more important, to see 15,000 jobs 

potentially get slashed is really scary. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you. I yield back. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you. And, without objection, the gentlelady’s 

letter will be accepted for the record. 

[The information appears at the conclusion of the hearing.] 

Mr. LATTA. At this time the Chair recognizes the gentleman, the 

vice chairman from Mississippi, for 5 minutes for questions. Thank 

you. 

Mr. HARPER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks to each of you 

for being here. And this is such an important issue in every State, 

it is very important in my home State of Mississippi. We have some 

great homegrown success stories, companies such as Drake, and 

others like Longleaf and Mossy Oak that have really done a great 

job in this area for consumers. And Ms. Mihalik, I want to also 

thank you for the work with veterans. That is very important. 

And for me, personally, as a parent of a child with special needs 

who is 27 and has intellectual disabilities, has Fragile X syndrome, 

this is an important area too for us. And so we look at ways and 

encourage you as we look at things how we make sure that they 

are included in your calculations on doing these things. 

So at this time, Ms. Roberts, can I ask you a couple of questions 

if I may, what role do you believe that we play as policymakers to 

ensure continued growth and success of outdoor recreation? 

Ms. ROBERTS. Thank you for the question, Mr. Vice Chairman. 

You know, I do really think it is, you know, a few things. One is 

ensuring that we keep our public lands public and so that they are 

accessible by all Americans and Americans have the opportunity to 

go out and enjoy our natural resources. I think it is funding, providing adequate funding for the land management agencies, so we 

do support full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

And then adequate funding so that our lands are properly managed 

and that when Americans go out and they enjoy, whether it is to 

a national park, the BLM lands, Forest Service lands, they have an 

opportunity to have a great experience. 

To Jeff’s comments specific to really the business side, it really 

is looking at some of the outdated tariff codes and ensuring that 

our products are properly classified and that we do look at reducing 

tariffs on products that are no longer made in the U.S. so that consumers have the opportunity to access our products, our products 

remain affordable, and I do think that would help drive the innovation that Columbia Sportswear, REI, other companies are doing in 

terms of product innovation that is both on the sustainability side, 

some of the areas that Jeff talked about, as well as innovation 

around just our own operations. So those are some of the things 

that I feel Congress can do. 

63 

Mr. HARPER. Great, thank you very much. And Mr. Landers, I 

agree that having enjoyed traveling with friends on occasion in a 

motor coach or a motor home, it is great unless you are the driver. 

If you are getting to ride on one it is a great experience, great opportunity. 

And the infrastructure issue is an important one that we face in 

this country, so are you seeing development, and I know your concern is the outdated infrastructure within our national parks and 

certainly State parks. Are you seeing development on the private 

side that is maybe compensating for that and accounting for any 

of the reduced numbers that you stated? 

Mr. LANDERS. Yes, absolutely. I mean, when you think about a 

private campground that is an entrepreneur who has started that 

business, they are going to invest in that business to get bigger, get 

better. I would venture to say that almost every private campground has WiFi right now and has broadband. So, and if you shift 

to the States, we know that some States are investing heavily in 

their park system because it is a cash cow. It can be. 

Mr. HARPER. Sure. 

Mr. LANDERS. So yes, for the States that are doing the right 

thing, the privates are all over this, and unfortunately at the national level we need help. 

Mr. HARPER. They need help. 

Mr. LANDERS. They need help. They need attention. 

Mr. HARPER. Right. 

Mr. LANDERS. And really one of the biggest solutions, the potential solution is offering public-private partnerships where, you 

know, we can do things together at a faster pace. 

Mr. HARPER. Thank you. 

Mr. Berejka, if I could ask you. Did I come close on the pronunciation? 

Mr. BEREJKA. You did. We are honing in on it. 

Mr. HARPER. All right, that is close. We are in the right ZIP code. 

Mr. BEREJKA. Yes, absolutely. 

Mr. HARPER. In your testimony you touch on the spillover benefits of outdoor recreation. Can you explain the benefits American 

consumers and participants will see as well as how outdoor recreations help other economic sectors? 

Mr. BEREJKA. Sure. To elaborate on a couple points in the testimony, one, like the folks at Outward Bound we are very excited 

about the health benefits of time outdoors and in particular time 

outdoors as it might address mental health needs. The research we 

are funding in California is looking at PTSD sufferers, and PTSD 

sufferers in particular enjoy enormous reductions in stress and 

anxiety from outdoor experiences. 

I like to think of getting folks like PTSD sufferers access to more 

hiking and biking and fewer pills and treadmills. If the American 

taxpayers spend less on pills for PTSD sufferers and more on getting them hiking, we will all be better off. 

Mr. HARPER. Thank you very much. I appreciate each of your testimony. I yield back. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much. The gentleman yields back 

and the Chair now recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey, the 

ranking member of the full committee, for 5 minutes. 

64 

Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a coastal district, so the outdoor recreation industry is very important to the 

communities I represent. So my questions are of Ms. Roberts. Your 

organization just released a report that highlights the role of 

beaches and beach-going activities for State and local economies. 

Could you just briefly share some of your findings on the economic 

role of the outdoor recreation industry for beach communities? 

Ms. ROBERTS. Thank you for the question. As I mentioned earlier, one of the areas of growth in the report from the 2012 report 

to 2017 were really the water-based activities that we added. So we 

added sailing, surfing, other activities like that, and I think some 

of the reasons behind why we decided to add those activities has 

been the growth in those activities, the popularity of those activities. 

The broadening, the crossover between some of the water-based 

sports in the past, I think one thing you have really seen is the 

growth of stand-up paddle. And so we are starting to see more accessibility into those types of water-based activities from the beginner to the more advanced surfing and that was the decision making 

behind our process in terms of adding those activities. 

And I think the thing there as well is just as these communities 

along the oceans start to transition economies and think about, you 

know, how do you grow your economy in the 21st century, we are 

starting to see more and more communities invest in tourism and 

recreation infrastructure that support Americans coming to those 

areas to recreate. 

Mr. PALLONE. Well, thank you. Now in my district we are fortunate to have the Gateway National Recreation Area which includes 

Sandy Hook, which is a seven- mile stretch of coastline that hosts 

over two million visitors to its public beaches every year. According 

to the National Park Service, Gateway National Recreation Area 

generated more than $247 million in economic output in 2016. 

But the problem is the sea level is already rising at Sandy Hook 

and predictions call for as much as six feet of sea level rise by the 

end of the century. Modeling by the Union of Concerned Scientists 

shows that with that much rise most of Sandy Hook will flood 

every day, and that is just one example. So Ms. Roberts, what 

might the economic effects be for the outdoor recreation industry 

from rising sea levels and loss of coastline from climate change? 

Ms. ROBERTS. Thank you. We are concerned about that and we 

do feel that Congress should take action to enact policy instruments that combat climate change. At the same time, we are working at the State and local level to talk with local policymakers, 

State legislatures about what can be done. So I think there is both 

enacting policy instruments that reduce carbon, and I think it is 

also incentivizing cleaner economies, solar, these other fewer carbon emission producing energy development. So those are things 

we are looking at. 

I would say the other thing is that our industry is also doing its 

part in terms of our own operations. So whether or not that is producing more sustainable products, it is also thinking about our own 

operations as we transport product, as we build distribution centers. So the discussion within the outdoor industry is both how do 

65 

we reduce our own carbon footprint, but also how do we advocate 

for climate policies that transition our economy to a cleaner sector? 

Mr. PALLONE. Well, thank you. Let me ask you one more question. Climate change is not the only threat to our natural environment and outdoor recreation. In the first 100 days of the Trump 

presidency we have seen numerous attacks on the environment 

that threaten public health, ecosystems, and the outdoor recreation 

industry. In February, President Trump signed the repeal the 

Stream Protection Rule and this rule had protected streams near 

surface coal mining operations, like mountaintop removal mines, 

from heavy metal contamination. What are some popular outdoor 

recreation activities that make use of rivers and streams, and can 

poor water quality impair those activities or make them less popular? 

Ms. ROBERTS. Thank you. Yes, the activities that we have highlighted in our report would include any water-based activities, so 

it could be paddling, canoeing, and then of course fly fishing. So 

those are some of the activities that use streams and are dependent 

on clean waters. 

Mr. PALLONE. All right. I mean, the rule that Trump repealed 

would have protected or restored nearly 6,000 miles of streams and 

52,000 acres of forest over 2 decades, and those areas, in my opinion, have immeasurable ecological value and huge economic value 

as well. So thank you. I yield back. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you. The gentleman yields back and the Chair 

now recognizes the gentleman from Indiana for 5 minutes. 

Mr. BUCSHON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Landers, in your 

testimony you said that in 2016 the RV industry and we talked before, has the best year since the late 1970s. So why do you think 

the industry had such a remarkable comeback and what do you 

kind of attribute that success to? 

Mr. LANDERS. Thank you, Dr. Bucshon. Well, I elaborated on 

some of the points, the interest rates are low and—but, you know, 

one of the other portions that I didn’t mention was the fact that 

we have a 20-year-old advertising program called Go RVing. And 

while it is focused on some television and video, we are now all 

over the social media platforms. And again, this is driving not only 

the Baby Boomers, but we are opening up all sorts of markets with 

the Hispanic market, with the African American market and the 

Millennials and the Gen Xers. So honestly, we cannot build recreation vehicles fast enough to satisfy the demand. 

Mr. BUCSHON. So you think it is probably, really, a big cultural 

shift on most in thought process in the 1970s, I mean we had 

campers, and every weekend we went to the lake. But I haven’t 

done that in my own life, I had other things to do, but maybe my 

kids are starting to do that, right? So maybe people are recognizing 

again the benefits of being out there and how enjoyable it is. 

Mr. LANDERS. Right. When you look at the campers from back 

in the ’70s and ’80s to the ones now, I mean now you are pushing 

a button and virtually both entire walls can expand, so some of the 

campsites that are in the campgrounds are not wide enough any 

longer and some of the vehicles are longer so you need the pullthrough sites instead of trying to back something in there. 

66 

I think that on the whole recreation vehicles now offer all of the 

conveniences that you have in your house. Some of these vehicles 

are extremely expensive, but most of them are really very affordable. And what we are finding is that more people are deciding to 

stay home. You know, if you went and you took a family of four 

and you flew somewhere you are paying for the airfare and then 

you are renting a car and then you are eating at a restaurant every 

day and you are staying at hotels and you have all that in a recreation vehicle. 

Mr. BUCSHON. And leading into that then, are there any barriers, 

you know, governmental barriers or other things that you see in 

the future as it relates to whether it is technological advances or 

other things that you see that Washington, DC, can potentially be 

helpful to you all in your industry to further advance and expand 

your business? 

Mr. LANDERS. You know, when you ask that because it was just 

last week we ended up having a meeting with NHTSA, because my 

own concern is the autonomous vehicle industry is moving along 

very quickly and I personally feel like we are going to be there before you know it and I didn’t want the industry to get caught behind. 

So invariably we get caught up in automobile, truck, bus, housing legislation regulations, but it is time for us to kind of get out 

a little bit further in front of, you know, everybody has this image 

of wouldn’t it be fabulous to get in an RV and then preprogram it 

and then go in the back and have a sandwich and watch the game? 

Mr. BUCSHON. That would be nice. 

Mr. LANDERS. That would be nice. We are not quite there yet, 

but we are on the way, and we want to work with the Congress, 

with NHTSA, with everybody to make sure we have—— 

Mr. BUCSHON. Good. And that is appropriate. I am glad you said 

that because this subcommittee has been having some hearings on 

autonomous vehicles and so the inclusion of your industry in that 

overall discussion may be something that comes out of this hearing 

and I appreciate that. So Mr. Chairman, I yield back. 

Mr. LATTA. Thank you very much. And the Chair now recognizes 

the lady from the Great Lakes State for 5 minutes. 

Mrs. DINGELL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have been on a 

camper. We lived in—and my best friend now, whose husband 

owns hockey teams and started—will only travel by recreational 

vehicle, and I am going to tell her I made that point today. 

But Michigan has got over 200,000 snowmobile trail permits and 

expenditures on snowmobiling equipment which totals $235 million. We have more hunters than any other State, and Lord knows 

I am married to one of them—we don’t agree on that one issue— 

and they contribute $304 million to local economies while hunting. 

That is a good thing. We have 3.9 million acres of State forest, 150 

State forest campgrounds, thousands of miles of trails, 7,500 hundred miles of river, and hundreds of miles of Great Lakes shoreline. So we obviously agree with all of you and care deeply. Certain 

policies, we are worried about what is happening here in Washington though and how we make sure that we are not putting the 

outdoor tourism economy in jeopardy. 

67 

Ms. Roberts, in your testimony you state that protecting America’s public lands and waters are essential to ensuring the growth 

and success of the outdoor recreation economy. Would you agree 

that investing in conservation programs such as the Great Lakes 

Restoration Initiative has a positive impact on jobs? 

Ms. ROBERTS. Thank you for the question. Yes, we would agree 

with that. 

Mrs. DINGELL. So the President’s budget proposal looks to elimi- nate $300 million in spending on the GLRI. Would zeroing that out 

budget hurt us both economically and environmentally? 

Ms. ROBERTS. We are concerned with proposed cuts to the Department of Interior and the Department of Ag, the Forest Service. 

Obviously we are interested in the Forest Service recreation. We 

would also encourage Congress to think about how we are currently funding wildfires and we think about changing that and 

there are several bills that have bipartisan support that would ensure that we don’t take away from our recreational accounts to 

fund wildfires. So we do feel that adequate funding by Congress is 

important to helping our economy continue to grow. 

Mrs. DINGELL. And could be hurt if we didn’t. 

Ms. ROBERTS. Yes. 

Mrs. DINGELL. Thank you. 

Mr. Jones, in your testimony you state that climate change will 

decimate not only your industry but other industries as snowpacks 

will not be sufficient to keep stream temperatures low. What can 

Congress do to help mitigate manmade climate change, and then 

I am going to get political and really say should we remain in the 

Paris agreement? 

Mr. JONES. Yes. I mean, I guess to end where you, or start where 

you ended, I mean we need bipartisan support for real action on 

climate. We believe it is a jobs producer, acting on climate. To not 

be in the Paris agreement along with 195 other countries would be 

very bad. 

So in short, I mean, our goal is to have real action from our elected officials to act on climate, and it is very hard to—I feel like we 

look really short-term right now, and we are behind and we are losing jobs because of it, and this issue is not going away. It is astonishing. I talked about this ski area in my testimony, in Canada 

where this guy had basically lost his ski area to climate change. 

It no longer snows, and that was 12 years ago. And I thought like, 

well, I don’t have an issue in my town on that. We have never not 

been able to open. And we are just coming off of a 4-year drought 

where we virtually couldn’t open the bottom of the mountain, so 

real definitive action on climate at a policy level would be huge. 

Mrs. DINGELL. Thank you. I only have a few seconds. 

So, Ms. Roberts, I am going to ask you about the Land and 

Water Conservation Fund which was created in the ’60s, probably 

by somebody I know and loved, which has provided recreation access, secured key, wildlife habitat, and protected the very outdoor 

resources that we are talking about today—hunting, fishing, hiking. 

Can you tell me what your companies are saying and how you 

view the connection between that key program and the economic 

contributions your industry makes, please, in 9 seconds? 

68 

Ms. ROBERTS. Sure. Thank you for the question. We had about 

120 of our industry executives in town over the last couple days 

and advocating on behalf of the Land and Water Conservation 

Fund was a major effort and a major ask in all of those meetings. 

Mrs. DINGELL. Thank you. 

Mr. Chairman, I still want to tell you, my favorite thing when 

I want to escape from this place, which is more often lately, is 

floating down the river in the inner tube, which none of you talked 

about and I did every single day as a kid. And your parents would 

kill you for like going out on the buoy and waiting for the freighter 

and going in the wake. It was great. 

Mr. LATTA. Well, thank you very much. The gentlelady yields 

back and the Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania for 5 minutes. 

Mr. COSTELLO. Well, picking up where Mrs. Dingell went off, 

whether it is her floating down the river or a lot of people wanting 

to throw us all in the river, I think there is probably some similarities there. But disposing of the levity there, let me ask a question 

of the panel with a little bit of context. 

Outdoor recreation is so diverse in scope and it means so much 

and I think that that is why it is so important to our country because people look at it and utilize it in many different ways. A good 

example in my district, the Schuylkill River National Heritage 

Area, for many years a portion of the Schuylkill River that runs 

through my district from Valley Forge National Park west towards 

the central part of the State had fallen victim to neglect. 

But through efforts of dedicated community leaders and volunteers, the area was transformed. Today, that National Heritage 

Area generates nearly 590 million annually and supports over 

6,000 jobs. The resurgence of the health of the Schuylkill River and 

the connected landscape is a core reason outdoor recreation is flourishing in communities in my district. 

The commitment to revitalize the natural resources through the 

restoration of the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail 

has given the region improved recreational assets and has been a 

trigger for economic development whether it is the free bike sharing program in the State of Pennsylvania, which was one of the 

first in the State, or kayak rental shops, fishing stores, restaurants, and hotels which have sprung up as a result. 

There is a host of public policy considerations which I would like 

you to share with me as to what we need to focus on as policymakers. Community planning, infrastructure—we passed a water 

infrastructure bill, which I think is very critical. Certain environmental protections, Ms. Dingell mentioned the LWCF which I and 

many others are strong supporters of from a recreational resource 

perspective. Mr. Bucshon mentioned how technology is playing an 

increasing role in the outdoor recreational movement, the role of riparian corridor buffers. 

And so here is my question. The multidimensional nature of outdoor recreation does fuel employment in a variety of sectors. Can 

you explain the positive ripple effects you see with the outdoor recreational industry as a catalyst for economic resurgence? 

And secondly, we talk about leveraging public- private partnerships; that can mean many different things. But with respect to 

69 

your companies, organizations, and trade associations, how have 

you worked to employ this dual cooperation given the unique nature of the outdoor recreational opportunities in any given congressional district and what can we do to strengthen that? Related to 

that, what are the challenges that we face to make sure that we 

are providing an enhanced experience moving forward for all constituents? So I will keep it open-ended and ask all of you to just 

weigh in on that topic. Thanks. 

Mr. LANDERS. Well, it sounds like there was an investment in 

the river and the surrounding areas and it has turned into a jobcreating entity and an enjoyment for your local citizens. So what 

we are advocating as part of the Outdoor Recreation Industry 

Roundtable is that yes, these are assets and when invested in them 

it is a cash cow. It is a positive return. So we are trying to work 

with Interior and Agriculture to encourage them to work with us 

and generate some public- private partnership opportunities to get 

a better return. 

So I would tell you one quick story that I heard over the last couple days. The Blue River in Colorado is part of the Forest Service 

campground inventory, and it was making money and it was great, 

but they ended up closing that whole campground because of the 

beetle kill. So instead of investing money to clear the trees that 

were causing potential danger they decided to close the whole 

thing. 

So not only did they lose the revenue, they lost the ability to— 

they also said, ‘‘Oh, look, we have addressed part of the backlog by 

taking it off our books.’’ So it was a double whammy. So investing 

in facilities and using public-private partnerships seems to be the 

way to go. 

Mr. BEREJKA. I will weigh in here also on the importance of public-private partnerships. Jeff spoke to how Columbia supports hundreds of not-for-profits. REI likewise supports hundreds of not- forprofits. Some overlap there, but between the two companies, you 

know, we are probably north of 500 different not-for-profits that we 

support around the country. Those not-for-profits aren’t just organizations they are people, and inside the organizations those people 

are extremely passionate about whether it is floating down a river 

or going on an RV trip. 

And so those nonprofit leaders can often find—and it sounds like 

this was your experience on the Schuylkill—they can find the best 

places for people to recreate and then with their volunteerism sort 

of be that leading edge of recreation infrastructure. But once they 

are at the leading edge, there is a role for Government to come in 

and provide support for the infrastructure. I think all of us agree 

that recreation assets in today’s day and age are infrastructure and 

it is an important role for Government to be there as you consider 

infrastructure packages to include outdoors as infrastructure. 

Mr. COSTELLO. That is a good point. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, 

I yield back. 

Mr. HARPER [presiding]. The gentleman yields back. The Chair 

now recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Green, for 5 minutes for questions. 

70 

Mr. GREEN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I would like to 

thank both Chairman Latta and Ranking Member Schakowsky for 

holding today’s hearing. 

Outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, hunting are quintessential American traditions and I am glad that we are taking 

time today to recognize the economic impact that this industry has 

and examine with our panel the benefits of the industry towards 

conservation. I have a very urban district in Houston, but all of us 

want to get out in the country because we are in a big city. 

And my experience is I learned to hunt with my father-in-law 

and fish, and my son and I did the same thing. And if I could show 

it to you, my son and two of our grandsons in South Texas actually 

got an alligator last weekend, and it shows my two grandsons, one 

of them straddling the alligator. I just hope he didn’t use my 

grandsons as bait. So outdoors is important, and in Texas come 

late November, early December, we see lots of RVs going to South 

Texas where my son and his family actually live. And there are a 

lot of winter Texans down there that enjoy the—so it is really important outdoor sports around the country, but particularly where 

I come from. 

In the early part of last century, many wildlife species were 

dwindling in numbers around our country. And at the behest of the 

firearms industry, Congress imposed an excise tax on the sale of 

firearms and ammunition products known as the Pittman- Robertson Act. Since its enactment, $11 billion has been distributed to 

States for conservation and outdoor education under Pittman-Robertson, making the firearms industry the largest contributor to conservation and access. I bring this up because I am surprised how 

many people do not know that hunting and conservation go hand 

in hand. 

And I would like to get a response from any of the panel on the 

Pittman- Robertson because Congress should be reauthorizing it. 

Anybody have a comment on it? No. Tell me about the ways your 

industry contributes to conservation efforts that most people don’t 

about. I know REI obviously has a great record. 

Mr. BEREJKA. I mean I could elaborate. Of those 300 organizations we support, the overwhelming majority are stewardship organizations that go into favorite places to recreate and they do the 

trail cleaning, they do the trail maintenance. They are the ones 

who are at the leading edge often of repairing infrastructure if it 

has fallen into disrepair. 

Ms. MIHALIK. I will add that for Outward Bound one of the 

issues that we have struggled with when we open new course 

areas, so course areas anywhere, it could be a river or it could be 

a hiking trail where we want to take people, is often access. So we 

worked recently with the Chesapeake Conservancy to open a course 

on the Nanticoke River. There was not access to water. There was 

not access to campsites. 

But this is an amazing river in Maryland that people should be 

able to explore, so we were able to establish partnerships with the 

Conservancy, which is a conservation organization, National Park 

Service, and our local Department of Natural Resources to all come 

together to be able to open that area, and now we take about 60 

kids per year down that river. 

71 

Mr. GREEN. Anyone else? Going back to the example of PittmanRobertson, one of the areas I have concern about is the aging demographic of sportsmen. If current trends continue, State wildlife 

agencies will not be able to rely on the same level of funding as 

older hunters hang up their hats and aren’t replaced by younger 

hunters. As an industry and as a legislative body, what can we do 

to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the same access or expanded access to natural resources that we have grown 

up with? 

Ms. ROBERTS. So as part of the outdoor industry’s efforts we have 

a nonprofit called the Outdoor Foundation, and the Outdoor Foundation’s mission is to encourage a new generation of youth to get 

outside and recreate and that includes all of the activities that we 

covered in our economic report. And so our industry has come together to fund nonprofits across the country who take kids outside. 

And one key element that we found early on through really pilot 

and error is that the importance of mentorship and create an opportunity for that bond to form, whether it is in a family or it is 

just an older person who is experienced, whether in fishing, hunting, rock climbing, any sort of activity that takes a youth outside 

but repeatedly exposes the youth to that experience. That is how 

you build a lifelong love of these activities. 

And so what we have done is really bring together all of the industry’s resources and then spend time ensuring that these local 

groups that are on the ground take these kids outside. And I think 

that is the most effective way to ensure that we do have the next 

generation that loves the land but also loves these activities. 

Mr. GREEN. Mr. Chairman, I know I am out of my time. But if 

I could give a commercial, I am the co-chair of the Congressional 

Sportsmen’s Caucus along with my colleague Jeff Duncan from 

South Carolina, and we will soon be introducing the SHARE Act, 

the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act, a 

compilation of a package of bills aimed at improving access to public lands and preserving and expanding sportsmen’s issues. And I 

appreciate you letting me do the commercial. 

Mr. HARPER. Very well-done commercial too, Mr. Green. Seeing 

there are no other Members here to ask questions for the panel, 

I want to thank each of you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here and share your insights with us. 

Before we conclude, I would like to include the following documents to be submitted for the record by unanimous consent: a letter from Vista Outdoor and a letter from AMA. Seeing no objection, 

those are admitted. 

[The information appears at the conclusion of the hearing.] 

Mr. HARPER. And pursuant to committee rules, I remind Members that they have 10 business days—I believe we may have something else we would like to submit for the record, and I will recognize the ranking member. 

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you. The Low-Carbon USA letter from 

U.S. businesses and an EPA fact sheet. 

Mr. HARPER. And, without objection, those are admitted to the 

record. 

[The information appears at the conclusion of the hearing.] 

72 

Mr. HARPER. And pursuant to committee rules, I remind Members that they have 10 business days to submit additional questions for the record and I ask that witnesses submit their responses 

within 10 business days upon receipt of any questions. Without objection, this hearing is adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 11:45 a.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.] 

[Material submitted for inclusion in the record follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. GREG WALDEN

As the longest-standing committee on the Hill, Energy and Commerce has long 

sought to highlight industries and promote policies that will boost our economy and 

create more jobs. That is precisely why I am excited about the topic of our discussion today: the outdoor recreation industry. Increasingly, we are seeing the economic 

prowess of outdoor recreation and understanding how vital it is to a healthy American economy. In recent years, outdoor recreation has demonstrated its importance 

by injecting hundreds of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy and generating 

millions of jobs. 

The outdoor recreation industry has quickly become one of our Nation’s largest 

economic sectors. From manufacturing to retail and accommodation to transportation, outdoor recreation affects many major U.S. economic sectors. It’s an industry 

that is truly driven by the American consumer. Every year millions of Americans 

spend their hard-earned dollars on everything from gear and vehicles to trips and 

travel. In fact, Americans spend about $185 billion on outdoor recreation gear and 

roughly $702 billion on everything from airfare and lodging to lift tickets and guided 

tours. 

I’d like to highlight Columbia Sportswear and the RV Industry Association joining 

us among our panel today, as my home State of Oregon, and specifically my district, 

benefit greatly from both. Northwood Manufacturing and Keystone RV design develop and manufacture RVs, helping to create jobs and economic stability in Oregon’s Second District. Columbia, which is headquartered in Oregon, helps supports 

folks across the Beaver State. I am happy to have you here with us today and thank 

you for your work back home. 

Oregon is also home to some of our Nation’s greatest public treasures. From Crater Lake National Park to the Columbia River Gorge and many other impressive 

public lands, Oregon offers an abundance of outdoor opportunities. Nearly 70% of 

all Oregon residents take advantage of these public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities annually. This high level of consumer engagement has resulted in almost 141,000 jobs and $4 billion in wages and salaries back home in Oregon alone. 

As Chairman Latta indicated in his opening, the 114th Congress passed the Outdoor REC Act which ensures outdoor recreation will be counted as part of the U.S. 

GDP. The data provided through this effort will help inform policymakers about how 

outdoor recreation is quickly becoming a powerful economic engine on public lands. 

The data will also help to guide budget and investment decisions at every level of 

Government, including how to boost rural economies, attract out-of-State employers 

and visitors, and create sound policies that preserve public lands for future generations. 

I look forward to exploring the economic and social benefits of outdoor recreation 

as well as any barriers that may stifle continued growth and success in this extremely important industry. I want to thank you all for being here with us today, 

and I look forward to hearing your testimony. 

73 


www.ctimatededara.tion.us 
74 


~ VISTA OUTDOOR 

The Honorable Bob Latta 

Chairman 

April25, 2017 

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection 

2125 Rayburn House Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 

20515 

Dear Chairman Latta: 

Fred Ferguson VP, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 

fred.ferguson@vistaoutdoor.com 

(571) 457-9082 

Vista Outdoor strongly supports the upcoming Subcommittee hearing on Outdoor Recreation: 

Vast Impact of the Great Outdoors. The hearing will elevate the importance of outdoor 

recreation and inform Members of Congress as legislation that impacts outdoor recreation and 

outdoor policy is considered. 

The outdoor recreation economy is rapidly expanding. According to the latest report from the 

Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor economy generates $887 billion in annual consumer 

spending and employees 7.6 million Americans. The National Park Service continues to set 

attendance records as more people seek a unique outdoor adventure. And Congress -led by the 

Energy and Commerce Committee- recognized the importance of outdoor recreation with 

enactment of the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act (P.L. 114-249) during the 

I I 4th Congress. 

The 1151

h Congress also has an opportunity to positively support the outdoor recreation 

economy. There are a variety of bipartisan bills that would increase access to federal lands, 

enhance federal land management, and support the health, integrity, and beauty of some of the 

nation's most scenic landscapes. While many of these bills fall outside of the jurisdiction of this 

Subcommittee, we implore the members to support advancement of these bipartisan measures as 

they are considered by the full House of Representatives. 

As a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of outdoor sports and recreation products, 

Vista Outdoor understands first-hand the positive impacts of outdoor recreation. Our products 

help facilitate outdoor adventures through a range of products that include sporting ammunition 

and firearms, outdoor products, outdoor cooking solutions, outdoor sports optics, hydration 

systems, golf rangefindcrs, performance eyewear, action sports helmets and goggles, footwear 

and a variety of cycling accessories, stand up paddle boards and accessories. 
75 


Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback for this important hearing. Vista Outdoor 

looks forward to working with the Subcommittee on crafting policies that enhance outdoor 

recreation and get more people into the great outdoors. 

VP, Government and Industry Relations 

Vista Outdoor 

CC: The Honorable Janice Schakowsky, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Digital 

Commerce and Consumer Protection 

The Honorable Rob Bishop, Chairman, House Natural Resources Committee 

The Honorable Raul M. Grijalva, Ranking Member, House Natural Resources Committee 
76 


The Honorable Robert Latta 

Chairman 

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and 

Consumer Protection 

2125 Rayburn House Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Chairman and Ranking Member: 

April 26, 2017 

The Honorable Janice Schakowsky 

Ranking Member 

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and 

Consumer Protection 

2322A Rayburn House Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

The American Motorcyclist Association applauds the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and 

Consumer Protection for holding the hearing titled, "Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great 

Outdoors." Responsible motorized recreation stimulates state and local economies with jobs and 

revenue. 

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a 213,000-member nonprofit organization whose mission is to 

promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. 

According to a repmt from Ohio University, motorized recreation and tourism in southeastern 

Ohio in 2008 generated nearly $1.4 million in direct spending, more than $1.8 million in total 

output, nearly $660,000 in total labor income and 26.26 full- and part-time jobs. 

A 2012 report by the Western Governors' Association found Americans spend $256 billion on 

outdoor recreation in the U.S. West, employing 2.3 million people and generating $31 billion in 

federal, state and local taxes. 

The Outdoor Industry Association found that national spending on outdoor recreation totals $887 

billion annually. More specifically, a 2013 study by Southwick Associates estimated the economic 

impact of off-highway-vehicle recreation nationally to be $120 billion. 

A study released by the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition in December 2016 shows that 

the estimated economic contribution of summer and winter OHV recreation to the State of 

Colorado was $2.3 billion during the 2014-2015 season. That figure includes $1.8 billion in total 

annual sales, direct or indirect support of nearly 17,000 jobs and $671 million in labor income. The 

report also notes the recent increases in the popularity of motorized recreation in Colorado and 

expectations that it will continue to increase. 

444 North Capitol Street, NW I Suite 837 I Washington, D.C. 20001 

Phone (202) 220-1390 1 Fax (202) 220-1399 I www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com I @AMA_Rights 
77 


Chairman and Ranking Member 

Apri126, 2017 

Page Two 

Again, thank you for holding this important hearing. The AMA looks forward to working with you 

on all motorcycle-related issues before Congress. 
78 


4/2712017 Business Backs Low-Carbon USA 

One thousand companies and investors have signed the Business Backs Low-Cari:Jon USA statement since 

November 2016. Companies and investors wishing to add their name to the statement can do so by registering 

f:!&m. For media inquires, please contact: Peyton Fleming flemina@ceres.oro or Melanie Gade 

melanie.gade@wwfus.org. 

Dear President Trump, Members of the US Congress, and Global Leaders: 

We, the undersigned members in the business and investor community of the United States, re-affirm our deep 

commitment to addressing climate change through the implementation of the historic Paris Climate Agreement. 

We want the US economy to be energy efficient and powered by low-carbon energy. Cost-effective and 

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economy that limits global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius. 

We call on our elected US leaders to strongly support: 

Continuation of low-carbon Investment in the low carbon 

policies to allow the US to meet economy at home and abroad in 

or exceed our promised national order to give financial decisioncommitment and to increase our makers clarity and boost the 

nation's future ambition confidence of investors 

worldwide 

Continued US participation in 

the Paris Agreement, in order to 

provide the long-term direction 

needed to keep global 

temperature rise below 2•c 

Implementing the Paris Agreement will enable and encourage businesses and investors to turn the billions of 

dollars in existing low-carbon investments into the trillions of dollars the world needs to bring clean energy and 

http:/flowcarbonusa.orglbusiness 1/17 
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4127/2017 Business Backs LOW'-Carbon USA 

prosperity to all. 

We support leaders around the world as they seek to implement the Paris Agreement and leverage this historic 

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112712017 Business Backs Low·Carbon USA 

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4127/2017 Business Backs Lovv-Carbon USA 

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Partners King Arthur Flour Management 

Sasaki Associates Crossbow Strategies Kirksey Architecture Whale's Tale 

Saunders Hotel Group Crystal Mountain KL Felicitas Foundation Whitney Inc. 

Savenia 

CTA Architects Klean Kanteen Whole Earth Center 

Engineers SaviiGroup Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot 

Curren Media Group 

Kleynimals Scentsational Scrubs 

KLW Consulting Inc Wiltse Kitchen 

Cyclone Energy Group Schneider Electric 

Kostis Kosmos Inc. Win Before Trial 

Dahlman Ranch, Inc. School Sisters of Notre Windham Mountain 

Dana Investment Krull & Company Dame Cooperative Resort Investment Fund Advisors Kuity Corp. WindSoHy 

http://lowcarbonusa.org/business 9117 
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4/27/2017 Business Backs Low-Carbon USA 

Dana Lund Landscaping KW Botanicals Inc. 

Dannon Company, Inc. L'Oreal USA 

Dansko Inc Lamey-Wellehan 

School Sisters of St. 

Francis 

SCIEFrameworks, LLC 

Daughters of Charity, 

Province of St. Louise 

Lancaster General HeaHh Scoville Public Relations 

DayQuest Life 

Cousnseling & HealthyMind Services 

DBL Partners 

Debra's Natural Gourmet 

Decoding Sustainability 

with Matthew Yamatin 

Deep Green Inc 

Deer Valley Resort 

Dehn Bloom Design 

Della's LLC 

Deschutes Brewery 

Detour 

DIESEL, A Bookstore 

Dignity Health 

Distance Learning 

Consulting 

Do Good Investing, LLC 

Domini Impact 

Investments LLC 

Law Office of Nancy D. 

Israel 

Lawrence R. Jensen & 

Assoociates 

Lazarus Financial 

Planning, LLC 

Scrivo Communications 

SEA Builders LLC 

Sealed Air Corporation 

Seamans Capital 

Management 

Seattle City Light 

Sefte Living 

Seismic Brewing 

Company 

SEIU Staff Fund 

Sequent Management, 

Inc. 

Servants of Mary 

Seventh Generation 

Seventh Generation CRI 

Severn Consulting 

SFMG 

SharePower Responsible 

Investing, Inc. 

SheerWind 

Winkler Development 

Corporation 

Wisp Resort 

Woodsong Property 

Renovation Partners. 

LLC 

Workday, Inc. 

Work Turbo 

World Centric 

Worthen Industries 

WR Consulting, Inc. 

Wynkoop Properties, LLC 

Xylem Inc. 

Yodsampa Consulting 

YouCaring 

Zaurie Zimmerman 

Associates. Inc. 

Zenful B~es 

Zero Waste Solutions 

Zevin Asset Management 

ZipPower 

Signatories in bold >$100 million in annual revenues or >$5 billion in assets under management. 

LEADING EXECUTIVES ARE CALLING FOR A LOW 

CARBON USA 

"It is vital that the business community demonstrates its ongoing commitment to tackling climate change," said 

Barry Parkin, Chief Sustainability and Health and Wellbeing Officer at Mars Incorporated. "This is an 

important moment in global political and economic history, and we absolutely must come together to solve the 

immense challenges facing the planet. Climate change, water scarcity and deforestation are serious threats to 

our business and society." 

http:l/lowcarbonusa.orglbusiness 10/17 
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ft EPA United States Environmental Protection ,.,. Agency 

EPA's CLEAN POWER PLAN, CLIMATE 

CHANGE AND OUTDOOR RECREATION 

Carbon pollution threatens the health of Americans and our environment. We are already 

seeing an increase in temperatures, extreme weather events, drought, flooding, and sea level 

rise in areas across the United States, and these impacts are expected to get worse as carbon 

pollution in our atmosphere increases. On August 3, 201S, the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency {EPA), as part of President Obama's Climate Action Plan, finalized a historic plan to cut 

carbon pollution from power plants- the largest source of carbon pollution in the United 

States. EPA's Clean Power Plan will maintain an affordable, reliable energy system, while cutting 

pollution and protecting public health and the environment now and for future generations. 

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON OUTDOOR RECREATION 

Recreation is influenced by weather and climate. Climate change will alter the places where 

recreation, tourism, and leisure activities are best suited. Weather conditions that differ from 

historical patterns will pose a challenge for tourism that relies on predictable water and air 

temperatures, including boating, recreational fishing, diving, snorkeling, skiing, and other 

recreational activities. 

Climate change will influence the distribution and composition of plants and animals across 

the United States. Fishing, bird watching, hunting, and other wildlife-related activities will be 

affected as habitats shift and relationships among species change. [National Climate 

Assessment, 2014] 

Changes in precipitation and warmer weather will challenge tourism and recreation in many 

states. The West will be increasingly affected by drought, reduced stream flow, warmer 

weather, and a shorter snow season, influencing everything from the ski industry to lake and 

river recreation. In the West and Northeast, snow accumulation is expected to decrease, likely 

decreasing the number of days when recreational snow activities can take place, and 

potentially resulting in considerable job losses. [National Climate Assessment, 2014] 

Coastal areas will be adversely affected by climate change impacts. Recreation and tourism 

along the coasts is the largest and fastest-growing sector of the U.S. service industry, 

accounting for 85% of the $700 billion annual tourism-related revenues. Coasts are expected to 

be affected by sea level rise, beach erosion, increased severity of storms, changes in the 

distribution of marine species, changes in wind patterns and wave heights, and, in some 

regions, increased coral bleaching and die-offs. In the United States, reported cases of seafoodborne illness from Vibrio bacteria increased by 116% between 1998 and 2012, due to higher 

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ocean temperatures which have enhanced the growth and range of this harmful bacteria. 

[National Climate Assessment, 2014] 

Climate change threatens recreational freshwater fishing, which contributes significantly to 

local economies in many parts of the country. Most fish species thrive only in certain ranges of 

water temperature and stream flow conditions. Without considerable global action on climate 

change, a recent EPA analysis found that habitat suitable for cold-water fisheries (e.g., trout) 

could decline nationally by over 60% by 2100, and disappear almost entirely from Appalachia. 

[EPA, Climate Change in the United States: Benefits of Global Action, 2015] 

THE CLEAN POWER PLAN: SIGNIFICANT CLIMATE AND PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS 

The Clean Power Plan achieves significant reductions in carbon pollution from power plants 

while advancing clean energy innovation, development and deployment. It follows on and will 

help advance current trends in the power sector towards increased use of low- and no-carbon 

electricity generation and greater use of energy efficiency, in ways that will preserve 

affordability for consumers and continues U.S. leadership in addressing climate change. States 

and businesses have already charted a course toward cleaner, more efficient power, and the 

Clean Power Plan builds on their progress. 

The transition to clean energy is happening faster than anticipated. This means carbon and air 

pollution are already decreasing, improving public health each and every year. The Clean Power 

Plan accelerates this momentum, putting us on pace to cut this dangerous pollution to 

historically low levels in the future. When the Clean Power Plan is fully in place in 2030, carbon 

pollution from the power sector will be 32 percent below 2005 levels, securing progress and 

making sure it continues. 

The transition to cleaner sources of energy will better protect Americans from other harmful air 

pollution, too. By 2030, emissions of S02 from power plants will be 90 percent lower compared 

to 2005 levels, and emissions of NOx will be 72 percent lower. Because these pollutants can 

create dangerous soot and smog, the historically low levels mean we will avoid thousands of 

premature deaths and have thousands fewer asthma attacks and hospitalizations in 2030 and 

every year beyond. 

Within this larger context, the CPP itself is projected to contribute significant pollution 

reductions, resulting in important benefits. 

The Clean Power Plan will: 

• Cut hundreds of millions of tons of carbon pollution and hundreds of thousands of tons 

of harmful soot- and smog-forming particle pollution that makes people sick. Together 

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ft EPA United States Environmental Protection .,..,. Agency 

these reductions will result in significant near-term public health benefits, especially for 

the most vulnerable citizens. 

o From the soot and smog reductions alone, for every dollar invested through the 

Clean Power Plan-American families will see up to $4 in health benefits in 2030. 

o The Clean Power Plan will significantly improve health by avoiding each year: 

Up to 3,600 premature deaths 

Up to 1, 700 heart attacks 

90,000 asthma attacks 

300,000 missed workdays and schooldays 

• Put our nation on track to cut carbon pollution from the power sector by 32 percent by 

2030 while maintaining electric system reliability and affordable electricity. 

o In addition to helping make our electric system cleaner, the Clean Power Plan 

will make electricity more affordable in the long run. EPA's analysis of impacts on 

electricity bills shows that Americans are expected to save over $80 annually on 

their utility bills by 2030. 

• Reduce C02 emissions from power plants-an essential step towards reducing the 

impacts of climate change and providing a more certain future for our environment, our 

health and future generations. 

o By acting on climate now, we are fulfilling a moral obligation to our children and 

grandchildren to leave them with a healthier, more stable planet. 

• Change the international dynamic and leverage international action. Climate change is a 

global challenge and requires global action. When the U.S. leads, other nations follow. 

GET INVOLVED 

Public engagement was essential throughout the development of the Clean Power Plan, and 

EPA will continue to engage with communities and the public during the rule's implementation. 

The EPA will also be conducting a robust outreach effort for communities throughout the 

comment period for the proposed federal plan. 

To ensure opportunities for the public to continue to participate in decision making, EPA will be 

providing training and resources throughout the implementation process. EPA is also requiring 

that states demonstrate how they are actively engaging with communities in the formulation of 

state plans developed for the Clean Power Plan. To learn more please visit the Clean Power Plan 

Portal for Communities at www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-toolboxcommunities. 

LEARN MORE 

For more information on the Clean Power Plan, visit www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan. 

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A EA~United States Environmental Protection ,., Agency 

For tips on how you can reduce your carbon footprint, visit 

www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/. 

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