Bipartisan LAKES Act introduced in the House
by National Marine Manufacturers Association 6 Jan 2024 08:28 PST
Discover Boating © National Marine Manufacturers Association
Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Steve Womack (R-AR-03), and Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), recently introduced the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act (H.R. 6906). This bipartisan, bicameral bill - companion to legislation introduced in 2023 by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NV) - addresses several priority areas for the recreational boating and fishing industry.
The legislation would improve outdoor recreation facilities in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-managed areas, provide new opportunities for public-private investments, and give local districts more flexibility to reinvest their resources. USACE is one of the largest federal outdoor recreation providers in the nation - second in visitation to the National Park Service (NPS) and the leading provider of water based outdoor recreation activities in the U.S.
"Thank you to Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) for championing the introduction of The Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act," said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). "This legislation prioritizes the maintenance and upkeep of high-use recreation infrastructure and facilities enjoyed by millions of Americans. By providing the Army Corps of Engineers with the ability to reinvest recreation fees into the operations and maintenance of recreation access points, the LAKES Act helps support the outdoor recreation economy, which contributes more than $1 trillion to our country's economy and represents a significant pastime for millions of Americans."
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