21st Century Great Outdoors Commission Act

Current research indicates that changing demographics, impacts of climate change, lack of public access, and funding shortfalls create challenges for land and recreation managers. The research also affirms that outdoor resources present opportunities for job creation and economic development.

Outdoor recreation is responsible for more than $646,000,000,000 in direct consumer spending, generates more than $80,000,000,000 in Federal, State, and local taxes and supports more than 6,100,000 American jobs.

Outdoor recreation opportunities are critical to the Nation’s 46,800,000 hunters and anglers who generate at least 33,700,000,000 in economic activity nationwide.

Outdoor recreation promotes better mental and physical health for children. Research shows that spending time outside enhances fitness and improves academic achievement.

Therapeutic and adaptive recreation programs provide invaluable benefits to disabled and injured veterans. These programs not only aid in physical recovery but also help to address mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and other afflictions suffered by wounded warriors.

It has been increasingly clear that land and water available for outdoor recreation also has other benefits to society including the protection of water resources, the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat, protection of communities from natural hazards such as flooding and storms, reduction in air pollution and sustaining rural land uses such ranching, farming, and forest management.

The 2010 Census reports that four out of five Americans now live in urban or metropolitan areas, making the need for safe and accessible “close-to-home” outdoor recreation opportunities more important than ever.

The American people have benefitted from two federally initiated national reviews of outdoor recreation resources in the latter half of the twentieth century. The Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission, established by legislation and signed by President Eisenhower in 1958, issued its report in 1962, which led to the passage of several landmark conservation and outdoor recreation laws. The President’s Commission on Outdoor Recreation, established by Executive order by President Reagan and Chaired by then Governor Lamar Alexander, issued its report in 1987, the findings of which solidified the importance of our Nation’s outdoor recreation laws and further recognized the value of partnerships and cooperation in ensuring outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. The 21st Century Great Outdoors Commission established in this Act will build upon this foundation of existing conservation and recreation programs that were created from the previous commissions and will address recreation and conservation needs in 21st century America. Further, it will help guide policies to help meet the demands for outdoor recreation and conservation throughout the Nation.

The bipartisan Outdoor Resources Review Group, through Resources for the Future, reported on the State of the Great Outdoors in 2009 identifying issues with the supply and financing of outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Obama Administration launched the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda. The America’s Great Outdoors Initiative led to the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation, which strives to support and enhance outdoor recreation access and opportunities on Federal public lands, waters, and shores.

The bipartisan Western Governors’ Association released a report in 2012 identifying challenges and recommending strategies for providing outdoor recreation experiences in the Western United States.

It has been over 25 years since the last presidentially directed review of America’s conservation and outdoor recreation needs. The people of the United States would benefit from a new federally initiated bipartisan review of American outdoor resources and from policy recommendations including how to maximize the economic opportunities associated with changing use patterns, how differing regions can access American outdoor resources, and how Federal, State, local, and private interests can address existing challenges.

Commission— The term Commission means the 21st Century Great Outdoors Commission.

Outdoor resources— The term outdoor resources means the land and water areas and associated resources of such areas in the United States and its territories and possessions, which provide or may in the future provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoyment.

Outdoor recreation— The term outdoor recreation means use of outdoor resources, both developed and undeveloped, in urban, suburban, and rural areas, including backcountry and dispersed recreation on public lands.

Advisory Council— The Commission shall establish an advisory council to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties. The Advisory Council shall consist of the liaison officers involved with the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation, together with 20 additional members appointed by the Commission. The Commission shall consider broad-based geographical and interest representation, including citizens involved with local parks and recreation centers, outdoor recreation at the local, State, and Federal levels, public health, local recreation businesses, hunting and fishing activities, other wildlife interests, land conservation, historic, and cultural preservation, and other natural resource-based activities.

In general— The Commission, in its inquiries, findings, and recommendations, shall recognize that—

Specific duties— The duties of the Commission are as follows:

Contracting— The Commission may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in Acts of appropriation, enter into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this Act.

Gifts— The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.

Postal services— The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments and agencies of the United States.

Detailees— Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement from the Commission, and such detailee shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular employment without interruption.

Expert and consultant services— The Commission is authorized to procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.

Volunteer services— Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission determines necessary.

In general— The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission.

Public meetings and release of public versions of reports— The Commission shall—

Public hearings— Any public hearings of the Commission shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by any applicable statute, regulation, or Executive order.

In general— The Commission, and all the authorities of this Act, shall terminate 60 days after the date on which the final report is submitted under section 6(c).

Administrative activities before termination— The Commission may use the 60-day period referred to in subsection (a) for the purpose of concluding its activities, including providing testimony to committees of Congress concerning its reports and disseminating the final report.