Wyden crafting bill to boost outdoor recreation

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released a draft bill Tuesday that he said would boost outdoor recreation in Oregon and across the country by, among other things, streamlining the permit process and prioritizing maintenance work on heavily used public lands.

Wyden said the proposal addresses concerns Oregonians raised about government roadblocks to recreation during a series of listening sessions he hosted on his statewide tour of Oregon’s Seven Wonders this summer.

“The beauty of the recreation and tourism economy is that Oregonians working in it are all over the state, supporting communities large and small,” Wyden said. “I’m asking Oregonians to weigh in on my proposal to make sure outdoor recreation remains a boon for local economies and ensure Oregon’s special places are open to visitors and locals alike, by removing the roadblocks that discourage recreation.”

Wyden’s draft bill would streamline and modernize recreation use permits for visitors, outfitters and guides in several ways, including by making all permits available online.

The bill would also increase volunteerism and prioritize maintenance work on public lands used most often for recreation, and require the Bureau of Labor to collect data on the impacts of recreation on the economy.

Read a summary of the draft bill and submit your feedback here.