Outdoor Industry Association

BOULDER, CO –-(AmmoLand.com)- Congress has approved a 17 percent increase in total funding over last year’s level for the Department of the Interior (DOI) which manages a vast majority of the nation’s public lands. The final bill H.R. 2996,

http://www.outdoorindustry.org/pdf/ConferenceReportDOI2010.pdf

designates over $32 billion to the DOI, an increase in $4.66 billion compared to last year. Notable victories for the outdoor recreation community include invigorated funding levels for the federal and stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as well as authorization and support for the FLAME Act which is aimed at managing the escalating costs of wildfire.

Systematically underfunded in the past, the LWCF received revived attention from lawmakers this year. The conference committee approved $265.3 million for federal LWCF, a figure that exceeds last year’s funding level by $100 million. The committee has designated $40 million to stateside LWCF, twice the amount specified in last year’s appropriations.

The bill also creates the FLAME Fund which sets aside resources for fire suppression emergencies to avoid drawing from non-fire operations such as the budgets that fund campgrounds and trails. The conference report allots $474 million to the fund for FY2010, $61 million of which will go to the Bureau of Land Management and $413 million will be allotted to the Forest Service.

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) appreciates the leadership that congressional members have shown for outdoor recreation and land stewardship throughout the appropriations process.

“The vast majority of outdoor recreation occurs on our magnificent public lands and in order for the recreation economy to continue to grow as well as for Americans to enjoy the health and spiritual benefits of outdoor recreation, we as a nation must invest in the management of these wonderful resources. This budget reflects that priority,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of OIA.

Here is a brief list of additional highlights from the spending bill:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Planning program will receive nearly $50 million this year, a $2 million increase over last year and slightly below the $52.5 million recommended by OIA.

The BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System will receive a nearly $8 million increase over last year’s funding, just shy of the OIA recommendation.

The National Park Service’s (NPS) operating budget was approved at $130 million more than last year’s level, exceeding the OIA recommendation of a $100 million increase.

The committee approved the NPS’s Centennial Initiative for $15 million, $10 million below both the House request and the OIA recommendation.

The Forest Service’s Recreation, Heritage & Wilderness program was approved for $285 million which is a $7.5 million increase over last year.

The committee allotted $85.4 million for the Forest Service Trails program which is a $4.4 million increase over last year.

The final version of the spending bill will go to President Obama for his signature.

Click here (http://www.outdoorindustry.org/pdf/ConferenceReportDOI2010.pdf) to be directed to the full text of the conference committee report.

About Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous®, Outdoor University® and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer tradeshows. For more information, visit http://www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting outdoor recreation and recreational trail grant applications for fiscal year 2010 funding for two programs.

The applications are for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

The LWCF is a federally funded grant program for projects that encourage outdoor recreation. Eligible projects include ball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, park acquisition and development, shelter houses, and related support facilities. The program provides reimbursable matching grants for up to 50 percent of the project costs.

Political subdivisions may download the application and policies online at ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/lwcf/lwcf.asp or contact Tim Montgomery at (402) 471-5424 or tim.montgomery@nebraska.gov.

The RTP is a grant program through the Federal Highway Administration that reimburses political subdivisions up to 80 percent of project costs for trail acquisition, development renovation and support facilities.

Applicants must have the financial means to undertake and maintain the project and all funding should be on hand. This funding source is for motorized and nonmotorized trail projects. Political subdivisions may download the new application and policies online at ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/grants/trailgrants.asp or contact Michelle Stryker at (402) 471-5425 or michelle.stryker@nebraska.gov.

Applications for both programs must be submitted to the Commission by Oct. 1, 2009.