SW Arkansas Times

Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), and Steve Womack (R-AR-03) have introduced the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding opportunities to improve and develop outdoor recreation facilities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed areas. The bill aims to address discrepancies in current federal law that require managers of outdoor recreation sites to navigate bureaucratic hurdles to maintain and manage the sites.

According to Rep. Westerman, "Outdoor recreation is among one of the top economic drivers in the U.S., especially in states like Arkansas. The LAKES Act will correct the discrepancies, cut out the burdensome federal red tape, and make it easier for the Corps to manage their sites for generations to enjoy for years to come."

Rep. Huffman added, "Outdoor recreation is a fundamental part of life for folks in my district, and its popularity – and the demand for increased access – is growing nationwide. Our bill will guarantee the Army Corps can retain recreation fees at the sites they’re collected and it will open doors for management partnerships with tribes and local organizations so we can all care for the country’s treasured public spaces."

The LAKES Act has garnered support from stakeholders, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of NMMA, expressed his gratitude to the lawmakers for championing the bill, stating, "This legislation prioritizes the maintenance and upkeep of high-use recreation infrastructure and facilities enjoyed by millions of Americans. 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 current law, USACE recreation facilities are prohibited from retaining recreation fee revenues collected onsite, unlike other agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. The LAKES Act aims to rectify this by allowing USACE to retain 80% of recreation fees collected onsite for operation and management expenses at that location.

The bill also seeks to amend the Challenge Cost Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement authority to enable nonprofit entities to enter into cooperative agreements to operate and maintain recreation facilities under USACE jurisdiction. This change would keep resources and decision-making related to the operation and maintenance of recreation facilities in the hands of local managers rather than federal officials.

The LAKES Act has bipartisan support in the Senate as well, with cosponsors including U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Boozman (R-AR), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Steve Daines (R-MT).

Overall, the LAKES Act aims to streamline the management of outdoor recreation facilities and make it easier for local managers to maintain and operate these sites effectively. By providing financial support and reducing bureaucratic red tape, the bill seeks to ensure that Americans can continue to enjoy and benefit from the country's treasured public spaces for years to come.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-bipartisan-lakes-act-expand-opportunities-outdoor