RV Industry Association Announces Support For Governor Doug Burgum’s Nomination As Secretary Of The Department of the Interior

The RV Industry Association has declared its support for Governor Doug Burgum's nomination as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Association applauded the decision in a recent letter addressed to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Mike Lee and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich.

“Governor Burgum’s record reflects a deep commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities and prioritizing access to public lands,” states the RV Industry Association’s letter. “We appreciate Secretary-designate Burgum’s commitment to prioritize investments in outdoor recreation infrastructure, including the modernization and expansion of federal campgrounds to accommodate the growing needs of the vibrant American RV industry.”

Burgum’s nomination placed outdoor recreation front and center at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s hearing on January 17th to consider the nomination. During the hearing, an exchange between Ranking Member Martin Heinrich, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Governor Burgum highlighted the bipartisan agreement on the importance of the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, state Offices of Outdoor Recreation, the EXPLORE Act, and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

This appointment of Burgum is crucial for both the RV industry and the broader outdoor recreation sector. The Department of the Interior, responsible for over 20% of the nation's land— including iconic national parks attracting nearly half a billion visitors annually— plays a vital role in shaping the American-made RV industry and impacting the experiences of RVers nationwide.

Secretary-designate Burgum will be instrumental in addressing key challenges and opportunities within the outdoor recreation sector. A critical priority will be the reauthorization of the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, which is scheduled to expire in 2025. Reauthorization would allow the Legacy Restoration Fund to continue addressing the significant deferred maintenance and investment needs of our national parks and public lands.

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable— along with 33 of its national member organizations and businesses—has also expressed support for Doug Burgum’s nomination in its own letter to Lee and Heinrich.  The RV Industry Association, a member of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, signed this letter as well.

Read the letter here.