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More than 60 companies, including Patagonia, L.L. Bean, REI and North Face, have signed a letter to Congress asking that the outdoor recreation economy be included in any upcoming pandemic response legislation. 

“Our outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending and 7.6 million jobs annually,” the letter states. “The outdoor industry comprises 2.2 percent of the United States GDP and, prior to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, was growing faster than the economy.”

The letter, which was drafted by the Outdoor Industry Association, asked for specific support for six key actions:

Permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and fund the maintenance backlog that has plagued federal public lands. This action would finalize bipartisan legislation that was close to passing under the Great American Outdoors Act before the pandemic hit. Streamline the federal permitting system, an action that supports the guiding and