Nevada Establishes Office Of Outdoor Recreation

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed Nevada Assembly Bill 486 into law on June 7, adding Nevada to the growing swath of states across the nation that have established an Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC) responsible for helping to grow the outdoor recreation economy.

This newly created Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation will reside in the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and will be led by two Administrators appointed by the Director of DCNR. The bill also creates an Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation that will advise the Administrators of the Division on any matter concerning outdoor recreation in this State; which includes a seat for a member of the outdoor recreation industry.

The RV Industry Association, along with other members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, have called for governors in all 50 states to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation. As of June 2019, there are four states across the U.S. (California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Massachusetts) actively pursuing the creation of OREC Offices through their state legislatures in their current sessions. The RV Industry Association continues to be supportive of these important efforts to coordinate outdoor recreation policy and promote economic development among stakeholders in the outdoor recreation industry at the state level.

RVers are avid participators in many outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, boating and snow sports. And while outdoor recreation is a significant part of our American heritage, it is also a pillar of our nation’s economy. In 2018, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported for the first time that outdoor recreation represents 2.2 percent of the total gross domestic product (GDP) and contributes $734 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Even more significant, during the period of 2012 to 2016, outdoor recreation grew faster than the U.S. economy overall. And in Nevada, the RV industry has an economic impact of $1.1 billion and supports more than 7,018 jobs and $333.3 million in wages paid to Nevadans.

The RV Industry Association applauds the commitment Nevada is making to support the continued growth of the outdoor recreation economy by creating the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and hopes to foster close working relationships with this office as it develops. 

Stay tuned for how you can help add your voice to the support for OREC offices in all 50 states via the RV Industry Association’s digital advocacy platform.