Fixing recreation infrastructure isn't just critical to boaters, it's critical to the U.S. economy

Getting boaters out on the water is essential to the recreational boating industry’s success and doing so requires adequate, modernized, and climate resilient infrastructure.

As more Americans than ever before rediscover the benefits of the great outdoors – particularly the joy that comes with time spent on the water – the nation’s recreation access and infrastructure is experiencing rapid wear and tear and remains in need of renovation and expansion to keep up with demand and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The historic $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act comes at an opportune time for the recreational boating community, though additional work remains to ensure the unique needs of the recreational boating community are accounted for.

Recreational boating is a major economic driver, requiring modern and resilient infrastructure.

• Support access to outdoor recreation for all by increasing funding for federally managed facilities and access points that support public boating access.
• Prioritize recreation access projects in the implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act by Land and Water Conservation Fund and maintenance backlog funding for boating infrastructure.
• Support private sector investments in resilient infrastructure through enacting the Providing Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Resilient Enterprises (PREPARE) Act.
• Reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to address critical recreation infrastructure needs, inclusive of the needs of the recreational boating industry including the development of climate resilient water infrastructure and coastlines.
• Establish incentives and resources for charging infrastructure to support the deployment of boats powered by next generation fuels and technologies.