14.1 Preamble

Governors believe that participation in outdoor recreation provides important physical, mental, and social benefits to the American public and that responsibility for providing diverse and high-quality opportunities for such recreation is shared by federal, state, and local government interests and the private sector. For example, state parks and open space offer an opportunity for healthy, nature-based outdoor recreation that is close to urban populations.

Continuing growth in the demand for outdoor recreation opportunities has brought overcrowding to some areas, while budgetary constraints, environmental pollution, aging infrastructure, and conversion of open spaces to other uses has further added to the challenges facing the nation. The expansion, development, and management of recreational space and facilities is an important national challenge that can contribute to both quality of life and the economy. To effectively meet this challenge, federal recreation efforts must be modified to include a far greater emphasis on state and local decisionmaking and on partnerships, particularly with the private sector, than currently exists. The system also must be reinvented to enhance program priority, efficiencies, and effective program administration.

14.2 A Vision for America’s Great Outdoors

Governors support a vision of a safe, clean, planned, and well-maintained network of recreation areas available to all Americans. Important objectives can be achieved by reviving and strengthening the existing Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) programs. In addition, governors support continuing substantial funding for recreation programs through appropriations for the federal land-management agencies and through the expenditure of monies at the federal and state levels. Governors also encourage increased funding for operational expenditures for recreation facilities and services through general-fund appropriations and recreation fees paid by those who directly use those facilities and services. To ensure that recreation funds are spent wisely, governors believe that, at every level of government, an effort should be made to understand and accommodate recreationists’ needs and interests.

14.3 Funding

Governors believe that Congress should encourage the provision of adequate and predictable funding for the nation’s outdoor recreation resources from both private and public sources. Given the diversity of states, Governors are best positioned to play a vital role in reinvesting these proceeds wisely. Therefore, governors recommend that Congress fully fund the state-side portion of the LWCF for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Governors encourage Congress to authorize changes to the state-side LWCF to allow for a match of 75 percent federal/25 percent state as a means of increasing opportunity to use these funds in small communities. Governors also support increased private investment in recreation facilities on public lands.

Governors believe it is imperative to adequately manage and maintain public recreation lands and the facilities on them. Governors recommend that, in addition to general-fund revenues, where appropriate and practicable, user fees and private-sector funding should be considered to help achieve this objective. Governors strongly recommend that LWCF not be used for these purposes.

14.4  Federal Responsibility and Partnership

Federally managed public lands and resources serve a critical function in meeting national recreational needs, not only in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation but in providing the means, through the Federal Lands Highway Program, to access and enjoy those opportunities. Federal agencies should develop comprehensive outdoor recreation resource use and access plans in consultation with state and local governments and coordinate their planning with the recreation resource needs identified by state and local governments and private organizations. New federal institutional arrangements are needed to give greater priority, visibility, and authority to recreational program administration on federal lands and to foster innovative state, local, and private program partnerships. The efficiency and effectiveness of federal recreational support can be enhanced.

14.5 Scenic Byways

Governors believe that funding for the National Scenic Byway Program should be continued. This program fosters the economic and social value of travel, one of the most popular forms of recreation in the country, on the nation’s most scenic routes.

14.6 User-Pay/User-Benefit Grant Programs

Governors believe that grant programs that return fees paid by users, for example, federal gasoline taxes or excise taxes on specific products, to programs that directly benefit those users, should be continued. Examples include the programs funded under the Pittman-Robertson Act, the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (Dingell-Johnson Act/Wallop-Breaux Act), and the Recreational Trails Program.

14.7 Conservation Easements

Governors believe that conservation easements can have valuable environmental benefits, as well as provide opportunities for recreational trails throughout our communities and countryside. Therefore, governors encourage Congress to authorize states to use LWCF funds to purchase conservation easements, including those that allow public access for outdoor recreation purposes.

Time limited (effective Annual Meeting 2009–Annual Meeting 2011).
Adopted Winter Meeting 1995; reaffirmed Winter Meeting 1997; revised Annual Meeting 1997, Annual Meeting 1999, and Annual Meeting 2001; reaffirmed Annual Meeting 2003; revised Winter Meeting 2005, Annual Meeting 2005, Annual Meeting 2007, and Annual Meeting 2009.