Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee Holds First Meeting

The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) held an inaugural meeting of the “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. The committee discussed means for more Americans to enjoy the outdoors and elected its committee leaders.

A solution discussed was the need for strategic public-private partnerships to expand outdoor recreation access by improving everything from transportation to Wi-Fi access, campgrounds, lodging, boat ramps and restrooms, and better use of technology.

The meeting also included sessions led by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Senior National Advisor to the Secretary Rick May, National Park Service Deputy Directors Dan Smith and Lena McDowall and other departmental leaders. The secretary reported to the group on efforts to eliminate the department’s multi-billion-dollar backlog in deferred maintenance and on plans to reorganize the department. The committee as a whole established four subcommittees, with a focus on technology; partnerships; public access and infrastructure; and departmental reorganization.

The committee elected Amanda Covington, senior vice president of Vista Outdoor Inc., as its chair and Bill Yeargin, CEO of Correct Craft Inc., as its vice chair. The committee plans to hold its next meeting in November 2018. The committee also received public comments identifying additional organizations interested in supporting its efforts.

The committee, established by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in March 2018, was tasked to provide the DOI with solutions to increase access to public lands and waters and improve visitor experiences.