Call to action - April 15, 2024

Please Take Action: Urge the Senate to Support the Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Study

Please urge the Senate Appropriations and Institutions Committees to support the comprehensive outdoor recreation economic impact study and ask them to include it in the FY25 Budget. 

This study was a part of H.673, the outdoor recreation bill, that passed the House Agriculture Committee by a vote of 10-1, but failed to advance out of H. Appropriations because of competing spending priorities. (Look below for the study language.)

Please email these Senators: 

jkitchel@leg.state.vt.us; rawestman@gmail.com; rsears@leg.state.vt.us; rstarr@leg.state.vt.us; pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us; vlyons@leg.state.vt.us; ringalls@leg.state.vt.us; iwrenner@leg.state.vt.us; hgottschalk@leg.state.vt.us; wharrison@leg.state.vt.us; bcollamore@leg.state.vt.us; lleehman@leg.state.vt.us

OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY TALKING POINTS

  • Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver in the State; VT ranks 2nd in the nation for contributions to state gross domestic product (GDP), totaling $1.9 B.

  • Vermont's outdoor recreation sites are the catalyst to building the communities we want to live in; attracting new viable businesses and promoting smart growth, while raising health-minded, ecologically conscious citizens.

  • Ensuring equitable access for all - Vermont's outdoors belong to everyone. Let's invest in equitable opportunities for access.

  • Optimizing and maintaining VT's outdoor recreational assets is critical to the growth of our local and State economies. Currently, the burden of trail stewardship falls on nonprofit organizations, thousands of volunteer hours and the private landowners who support 70% of VT's public access trails.

  • Not investing in outdoor recreation businesses, their climate adaptation and a climate ready workforce puts Vermont's key economic driver at risk.

  • Right-sizing State funding for stewardship and climate-resilient improvements of our outdoor assets and outdoor products and services is a long-term investment in the future of Vermont.

In light of last July and December floods, and the exponential demand for Vermont’s outdoor recreation assets post-pandemic, the need for Vermont to engage in a comprehensive evaluation of the current and potential economic benefits outdoor recreation has had on the local, county and State levels, cannot be overstated. 

“Through optimizing our outdoor recreational assets and rightsizing investment into stewardship and climate adaptation we can meet the demand for our skiers, riders, and mountain bikers. create growth opportunities for our workforce, and build healthy, resilient communities across our State." Lindsay Delauriers, President of Bolton Valley Ski Resort.

“Outdoor recreation is not only critical to Vermont's economic future and building vibrant, healthy communities, but it is also foundational to our state's brand,” said Treasurer Mike Pieciak.    

Here is the study language:

Sec. 1. VERMONT OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY  

(a) The Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC), in consultation with the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC), and the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA), shall conduct the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Study (the Study). 

(b) The Study shall evaluate the following: 

(1) the overall statewide economic impact of outdoor recreation; 

(2) the county-level economic impact of outdoor recreation across the State; 

(3) how the economic impacts are distributed across recreational activities and land ownership; 

(4) the current carrying costs of outdoor recreation asset stewardship; 

(5) the return on investment in outdoor recreation in Vermont;  

(6) the top three opportunities for growth in the sector; 

(7) how strategic investment into climate resilient adaptation could protect Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy; and 

(8) recommendations for future investments to maintain and grow Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. 

(c) The organizations leading the Study shall hire a consultant to conduct the economic analysis required. 

(d) The Study may include additional data points as identified by VOREC, VTGC, VOBA, and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreations. The Study shall also incorporate findings from VOREC’s Move Forward Together Vermont planning process, including incorporating findings from their Statewide inventory of Vermont's accessible recreation assets to make recommendations on ensuring equitable access to outdoor recreation for all people with a focus on promoting adaptive opportunities, and diversity and inclusion for all to access and benefit from Vermont's outdoor spaces. 

(e) In fiscal year 2025, the sum of $200,000.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to hire the consultant to conduct the economic analysis required under this section. 

(f) On or before December 15, 2025, VOREC and the Commissioner shall report back to the House Committees on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry and on Commerce and Economic Development and the Senate Committees on Agriculture and on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs on the findings of the Study and propose local and State investment opportunities to bolster the economic benefit of the outdoor recreation economy.