The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released a report detailing recommendations from across the outdoor industry on spending priorities related to the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
The report covers many outdoor recreation industry segments, including RVs and camping, marine and boating, ski and snowsports, archery and hunting, fishing, concessionaires, hiking and trails.
“To help these funds produce the most good for the greatest amount of people,” the report said, “the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable … collected recommendations from across industry segments to help the administration decide how to spend this money, and highlight current issues these funds can help solve quickly. Together, we can ensure all Americans have access to safe, quality outdoor recreation experiences for generations to come.”
The RV and camping segments highlighted four priority recommendations in the report:
- $100 million to restore recreation sites, including campgrounds like Joshua Tree’s Black Rock Canyon Campground. The campground’s original design did not address the potential flooding threat. The report said poor drainage design led to the campground’s infrastructure and surrounding area deterioration.
- $7 billion in Federal Lands Transportation Program funding, Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects funding and other funding should supplement Great American Outdoors Act funding. The spending would focus on deteriorating roads, bridges and vital infrastructure for visitors and local communities.
- $7.5 billion to deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure on and around public lands.
- $65 billion to fund broadband deployment, especially in areas where RVers frequently travel.
“Access to safe and modern campgrounds on and around public lands is essential for the great outdoors and the $114 billion RV industry,” RVIA President and CEO Craig Kirby said. “The unprecedented funding in BIL is critical to efforts for sustainable campground modernization and EV infrastructure development to support the park visitors next generation and vehicle/RV technology. As BIL is implemented, we ask that focus is placed on modernizing deteriorating infrastructure while deploying EVs to support the $689 billion outdoor recreation economy.”
The report said many national park campgrounds were not designed to meet National Park Service safety, accessibility, or basic infrastructure standards. BIL passage occurred at a critical time, the report said, given massive camping demand and the recent NPS’ Second Century Campground Strategy launch.
