A report released today by The Outdoor Resources Review Group recommended allocating $3.2 billion annually toward the conservation of American land. The report, entitled “Great Outdoors America”, also includes recommendations for recreational trends, identification of policy failures, and a description of technological changes that have affected the U.S.' outdoor resources.
Honorary Co-Chairs Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) presented the report to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
Patrick Noonan, Chairman Emeritus of The Conservation Fund and Member of the President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors, briefly outlined a number of recommendations from the report including better coordination with the Department of the Interior and new tax incentives for non-profit and private conservation groups.
“We recommend a nationwide system of blueways and water trails to mobilize communities and organizations to improve water quality close to home,” said Noonan.
The report builds on the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Campaign of 1962 and the President’s Commission on American Outdoors of 1987.
“Much has changed since [the previous reports]: demographics are different, there are more of us...larger minority participation, different roles of women, urbanization...cities have grown to 80% of our population,” said Henry Diamond, partner at Beveridge & Diamond and former commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
Diamond added,“Federal government plays a substantial role and spends a lot of money but it is rather disorganized in this field. There are many agencies...that we think needs changing. We think the land and water fund has a history of being starved."
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar emphasized that action to conserve America’s landscapes is necessary now because of the troubled economy, wars, and health care issues Americans face today.
“It is in the most difficult times of our country that we look to the landscapes to refuel the spirit and the greatness of our country,” Salazar explained.
Salazar provided three reasons why conservations efforts should be a top priority including job creation, health benefits, and response to climate change.
New Report Urges Immediate Conservation Action To Save Nation’s Outdoor Resources
Honorary Co-Chairs Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) presented the report to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
Patrick Noonan, Chairman Emeritus of The Conservation Fund and Member of the President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors, briefly outlined a number of recommendations from the report including better coordination with the Department of the Interior and new tax incentives for non-profit and private conservation groups.
“We recommend a nationwide system of blueways and water trails to mobilize communities and organizations to improve water quality close to home,” said Noonan.
The report builds on the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Campaign of 1962 and the President’s Commission on American Outdoors of 1987.
“Much has changed since [the previous reports]: demographics are different, there are more of us...larger minority participation, different roles of women, urbanization...cities have grown to 80% of our population,” said Henry Diamond, partner at Beveridge & Diamond and former commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
Diamond added,“Federal government plays a substantial role and spends a lot of money but it is rather disorganized in this field. There are many agencies...that we think needs changing. We think the land and water fund has a history of being starved."
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar emphasized that action to conserve America’s landscapes is necessary now because of the troubled economy, wars, and health care issues Americans face today.
“It is in the most difficult times of our country that we look to the landscapes to refuel the spirit and the greatness of our country,” Salazar explained.
Salazar provided three reasons why conservations efforts should be a top priority including job creation, health benefits, and response to climate change.