Bipartisan LAKES Act introduced in US Congress

The bipartisan LAKES Act — which seeks to address priority areas for the US recreational boating and fishing industry — has been introduced in the US House of Representatives (the lower chamber of the United States Congress).

The Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act aims to improve outdoor recreation facilities in US 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 US and the leading provider of water-based outdoor recreation activities in the US, managing nearly 257,000 facilities in 43 states. 

“This legislation prioritises the maintenance and upkeep of high-use recreation infrastructure and facilities enjoyed by millions of Americans,” says Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

“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.”

Under existing law, local USACE managers cannot retain recreation fee revenues collected onsite. NMMA says that establishing this steady revenue stream will provide a ‘level of certainty’ for the USACE recreation program that resources will be available to make critical investments as the agency continues to support historically high visitation.

To correct these issues, the LAKES Act would allow the USACE to retain 80 per cent of recreation fees collected onsite for operations and maintenance at that location; enter into cooperative agreements with local nonprofits; and handle partner-collected fees and return them to the partner jointly managing the recreation facility to reinvest on site.

NMMA is encouraging stakeholders to take action on the issue via its grassroots advocacy platform, Boating United. Read Marine Industry News‘ latest articles about the marine industry in the USA.

Main image: Courtesy of Discover Boating/National Marine Manufacturers Association.