Outdoor Industry Association expressed extreme disappointment today in the President’s recommendation to eliminate funding for the stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in his proposed 2006 budget. LWCF was created by Congress in 1964. The program matches state and federal dollars to protect natural resources while providing close to home recreation for Americans.

“One of the primary themes of the President’s budget is making government more effective through cooperative partnerships,” says Frank Hugelmeyer, President of Outdoor Industry Association. “Since 1964, LWCF has developed 40,000 parks throughout the nation through a highly effective federal state partnership, with states providing at least 50% of the funds. By zeroing out LWCF, the President is taking away one of the most effective cooperative partnerships we have to combat the obesity and inactivity crises.” A recent survey by the Department of the Interior found that the combined demand of the 50 states to develop recreation parks and facilities was $836,229,911.

America is the midst of an obesity 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.

“We know that close to home recreation opportunities play a key role in getting Americans active,” notes Hugelmeyer. “With soaring medical costs, investing in more active lifestyles is essential. If investment in trails and parks, through programs like stateside LWCF and the Urban Parks and Recreation Restoration program, which was also zeroed out by the President, led to even a 5% decrease in the $75 billion in medical costs associated with obesity (half of which are carried by the federal government), the investment would mean $1.875 billion in savings for American taxpayers each year. That is a return on investment of $3.40 for each dollar invested.”

Two weeks ago, 78 executives representing the $20.1 billion outdoor industry urged President Bush to fully fund LWCF. Our efforts will now turn to Congress to ensure that stateside LWCF continues to be funded, providing close to home recreation opportunities for generations to come.