This week, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Executive Director Jessica Turner will discuss broad impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on users of the nation’s public lands and outdoor recreation economy during a full committee Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.
Per the committee’s announcement, “The purpose of the hearing is to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on users of public lands, forests, and national parks.” Turner’s testimony will include anecdotes from ORR members and businesses citing cash flow issues, shutdown impacts and supply chain problems.
Click here to read more RV News coverage of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.
Turner will focus in on the economic impacts of the pandemic on the outdoor industry citied in ORR’s latest member survey of 21 participating national outdoor recreation trade associations, representing over 23,000 businesses with nearly 2 million employees – 95% of the respondents reported decreased revenues. She will also outline the various ways the outdoor recreation industry has stepped up to help with PPP production as well as support front line workers and what steps Congress can take to support outdoor recreation and the business community that relies on public lands and waters. Click here for Turner’s Statement for the Record.
The ORR has lead a big part of the RV industry’s advocacy on behalf of the Great American Outdoors Act during the past few months. Turner and other industry leaders, such as RVIA President Craig Kirby, have said the passage of the GAOA would benefit nearly all outdoor recreation businesses who rely on a strong National Parks system.
WHAT: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Full Committee Hearing to Examine the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Users of Public Lands, Forests, and National Parks
WHO: Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Executive Director Jessica (Wahl) Turner
WHEN: Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 at 10:00am EDT
WHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 366
