Outdoor Industry Association applauds Senator Alexander of Tennessee and Senator Landrieu of Louisiana for their tireless support of close to home recreation opportunities for all Americans with the reintroduction of the Americans Outdoors Act today in Washington D.C.

“We are fortunate to have leaders like Senator Alexander and Senator Landrieu, who are deeply committed to carrying on the work of Theodore Roosevelt to protect our nation’s greatest natural treasures for the enjoyment of all Americans,” noted Frank Hugelmeyer, President of Outdoor Industry Association. “Now, more than ever, it is vital that Americans continue to have access to trails and parks for active recreation, and the Americans Outdoors Act will ensure just that.”

The Americans Outdoors Act establishes a trust fund providing $1.425 billion in guaranteed annual funding, including full support for the embattled Land and Water Conservation Fund, to encourage outdoor activity and active human powered recreation.

America is the midst of an inactivity crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity and inactivity account for $75 billion in health care costs each year. The President has identified reducing obesity as a key federal goal, instructing federal agencies to implement strategies to reduce this costly epidemic. According to OIA’s report Exploring the Active Lifestyle, half of the 150 million Americans who participate in outdoor recreation report that it is their primary form of exercise.

“Research has shown that accessibility to trails and recreation opportunities is directly related to increased physical activity and thus healthier Americans,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “We stand united to endorse the power and promise of this major legislative vehicle to reduce inactivity and promote health and wellness through increased access to quality parks and recreation.”

The Americans Outdoors Act funds programs that are critical to the Outdoor Industry such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Since its enactment in 1964, LWCF has been a vital tool in the protection of land and open space with the development of more than 40,000 parks and recreation areas in 98% of the counties in the nation. In his 2006 budget, President Bush abandoned his commitment to fully fund LWCF when he recommended zeroing out the stateside portion. Just last week, the House Appropriations Committee took the attack on this landmark program one step further by voting to eliminate funding for both stateside and federal LWCF. OIA plans to work with bill sponsors to ensure that the federal LWCF program is included in the Americans Outdoors Act.