President-elect Joe Biden announced plans to nominate Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to head the U.S. Department of the Interior, which would make her the first Native American cabinet member in history.
RVIA and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) issued a congratulations to Haaland, who introduced the bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR), a bill supported by RVIA.
SOAR is aimed at expanding access to public lands and boosting outdoor recreation economy, RVIA stated, including updating special recreation permits and outdated public land procedures.
“We are eager to work Congresswoman Haaland and her team to continue to advance RV industry priorities, such as campground modernization and expansion, conserving our iconic public lands and waters for future generations, access to ample and safe outdoor recreation experiences, and the implementation of the historic Great American Outdoors Act,” RVIA VP of Government Affairs Jay Landers stated.
Haaland serves as the Committee on Natural Resources’ vice chairwoman and chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Natural Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
“The outdoor recreation industry looks forward to working together on an economic growth agenda for the nation that focuses on diversity and inclusion, climate change solutions and health through outdoor recreation and is encouraged by President-elect Biden’s choices,” ORR Executive Director Jessica Turner stated. “These positions are key to tackling harmful tariffs, public lands and waters access for all forms of recreation, and infrastructure and conservation funding so our industry can keep doing what we do best — support jobs, local communities and the health of people, our natural resources and economies across the country.”
Haaland is the House’s lead representative on the Native American Business Incubators (BIA) Program Act, which would give business incubators with ties to tribal communities, education institutions and other organizations increased access to investment and growth with three-year grants.
RVIA noted its plan to work closely with BIA to expand camping opportunities on tribal lands, where many RVers camp.
Many Interior Department professional staff, with whom RVIA says its government affairs team has established close relationships, are expected to remain on staff. After confirmation, RVIA and ORR will begin outreach to the new political appointees constituting Haaland’s senior staff.
“ORR and our members congratulate former Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congresswoman Deb Haaland, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Katherine Tai on their nominations,” Turner stated in regards to the Biden administration’s announced plans as its nominees. “While all cabinet level positions are vital to running an effective government, the outdoor recreation industry is particularly impacted by the policies and actions of the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.”
