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Youth To Demand Outdoor Rights From Elected Officials In Washington
Young adult leaders will meet with representatives from the White House, Department of Interior and Congress.

Outdoor Industry Association

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A group of ten young adult leaders from across the United States are in Washington, D.C. this week to champion outdoor issues.

Including full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, increased outdoor opportunities in schools, easier access to the outdoors for underserved communities and perhaps most of all – a permanent seat at the ‘adult’ table where decisions about youth and protections for the outdoors are made.

These Outdoor Nation Ambassadors and other youth leaders will meet with high-level administration officials from the White House, Department of Interior and Congress. The Ambassadors represent thousands of outdoor enthusiasts that are part of Outdoor Nation, the youth-led movement championing the outdoors.

“We are proud to empower young adults and allow their voices to be heard,” said Chris Fanning, the executive director of The Outdoor Foundation, the organization that oversees Outdoor Nation.

“If policy-makers in Washington listen to these innovative, passionate youth leaders, we will be more successful in reconnecting young people to the outdoors, reversing America’s catastrophic inactivity crisis and protecting our outdoor heritage, which belongs to the next generation.”

Outdoor Nation’s “Take Action” Week in Washington is part of a larger effort bringing Americans to the nation’s capital to voice support for the outdoors. Outdoor Nation Ambassadors will discuss with policy-makers Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s new America’s Great Outdoors initiative along with specific issues such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the designation of new monuments and other protections for public lands, and increased support for federal programs that reconnect youth and the outdoors.

“Our generation can organize and mobilize like no other generation in history,” said Outdoor Nation Ambassador Kimberly Banzhaf from Colorado. “I am joining with thousands of other young leaders to focus our passion, energy and creative spirit on the important outdoor issues that have been tossed aside, especially during the nation’s economic downturn.”

Outdoor Nation “Take Action” Week continues the momentum of the 2011 Summer Youth Summits, which brought young leaders together in a weekend forum to address the growing disconnect between youth and the outdoors. During each regional Summit, young people discussed regional outdoor issues and brainstormed project ideas that strengthen America’s connection to its outdoor spaces.

From September 20 to 22, Ambassadors will meet with Secretary Salazar, White House representatives from the Council on Environmental Quality and Members of Congress. In addition, Outdoor Nation leaders will meet with top officials from National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Outdoor Nation Ambassador Juan Herrera from California will also participate in a briefing for Capitol Hill on Thursday, September 22, with Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) and corporate and nonprofit members from the Outdoor Alliance for Kids Coalition. The panelists will outline the benefits of connecting youth and the outdoors, including health and economic benefits.

Outdoor Nation is an initiative of The Outdoor Foundation and was founded with initial support from The North Face, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, The REI Foundation, The Conservation Fund and the National Park Service.

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U.S. OUTDOOR Act introduced in U.S. House of Representatives
OIA trade initiative will reduce costs for consumers and spur innovation in sustainable apparel manufacturing.

Outdoor Industry Association

BOULDER, CO --(Ammoland.com)- Representative Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced the United States Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation (“U.S. OUTDOOR”) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) applauded the introduction and thanked Congressman Reichert and Congressman Blumenauer for their tireless efforts to get this important legislation introduced.

The U.S. OUTDOOR Act would create new classifications within the U.S Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) that are specific and unique to “recreational performance outerwear” – apparel used for hiking, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities where protection from the elements is essential. The legislation would make imports under those classifications duty free, reflecting an International Trade Commission report that showed there is no commercially viable production of recreational performance outerwear in the United States.

The U.S. OUTDOOR Act is the top trade priority for OIA and represents several years of development by a broad spectrum of businesses in the outdoor industry and OIA, in conjunction with the American textile and apparel industry.

“The sale of performance outerwear for hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, paddling and other outdoor activities is a major driver of business for outdoor companies. The U.S. OUTDOOR Act helps encourage the development of innovative and affordable performance outerwear, which in turn supports the enjoyment of the outdoors by consumers,” said Matt Hyde, executive vice president of REI.

“We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Reichert and the other sponsors in supporting a vibrant and growing industry that benefits both the economy and the promotion of healthy, active outdoor activities.”

The U.S. OUTDOOR Act specifically addresses an unnecessary barrier to participation in outdoor activities by Americans. The disproportionately high tariffs assessed against recreational performance outerwear can add as much as 28 percent to its retail cost. This is supported by a recent study by The Outdoor Foundation, which found that among young adults ages 18 to 24, hesitation about spending money on gear and equipment is the third most cited reason limiting outdoor activities.

“We view today’s introduction of the U.S. OUTDOOR Act as a postive step for U.S. consumers and specialty retailers of outdoor products,” said Outdoor Research Vice President Clark Campbell. “As both an importer and domestic manufacturer of outdoor products, we endorse legislation that will lower our costs, allowing us to invest in new product innovations and employment opportunities at our headquarters in Seattle. We are grateful to Congressman Reichert for introducing the U.S. OUTDOOR Act and for his support of the outdoor industry.”

OIA is organizing several trips to Washington, D.C. to bring additional co-sponsors for the U.S. OUTDOOR Act in both the House and Senate and invite OIA members to participate in those meetings. OIA also encourages its outdoor companies to contact their members of Congress to request support for the legislation.

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