OCR Text |
Show CHAPTER TWELVE Outdoor Recreation THE REPORT of the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission (ORRRC) in 1962 laid the foundation for a comprehensive national outdoor recreation policy.1 The Commission suggested a policy framework based primarily on a division of responsibilities among local government, the states, and the Federal Government for supporting and furnishing the vast increases in various outdoor recreation opportunities sought by the American people. Since we have built on, but not duplicated, the work of that Commission, and believe that its recommendations should be fully implemented with regard to the public lands, we here reiterate the essential points of the ORRC recommendations regarding the assignment of intergovernmental functions and responsibilities. -The Federal Government should be responsible for the preservation of scenic areas, natural wonders, primitive areas, and historic sites of national significance; for cooperation with the states through technical and financial assistance; in the promotion of interstate arrangements, including Federal participation where necessary; for the assumption of vigorous, cooperative leadership in a nationwide effort; and for management of Federal lands for the broadest recreation benefit consistent with other essential uses. -The states should play a pivotal role in making outdoor recreation opportunities available by the acquisition of land, the development of sites, and the provision and maintenance of facilities of state or regional significance; by assistance to local governments; and by the provision of leadership and planning. -Local governments should expand their efforts to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, with particular emphasis upon securing open 1 Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission. Outdoor Recreation for America (1962). space and developing recreation areas in and around metropolitan and other urban areas. -Individual initiative and private enterprise should continue to be the most important force in outdoor recreation, providing many and varied opportunities for a vast number of people, as well as the goods and services used by people in their recreation activities. Government should encourage the work of nonprofit groups wherever possible. It should also stimulate desirable commercial development, which can be particularly effective in providing facilities and services where demand is sufficient to return a profit. The policies and programs that have since emerged at all levels of government have been designed to implement generally those recommendations. The Federal Government, through expansion of the Open Space Act,2 the creation of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, and the establishment of the Land and Water Conservation Fund,3 has implemented its major new role in this area, namely of assisting the states and local governments financially and with technical services. The Federal role in the preservation of nationally significant scenic, natural, primitive, and historic areas has since been more extensively fulfilled through the creation of many new national parks and monuments and the establishment of the National Wilderness Preservation System,4 and the National Trails 5 and Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems.6 A Federal role has also emerged in the provision of regional recreation opportunities through the creation of national recreation areas and national seashores. States and their political subdivisions have assumed the primary role as the major governmental 2 42 U.S.C. §§ 1500-150Oe, (1964) as amended, (Supp. IV, 1969). 3 16 U.S.C. §§4601-11 (1964), as amended, (Supp. V, 1970). 4 16 U.S.C. §§ 1131-1136 (1964). 5 16 U.S.C. §§ 1241-1249 (Supp. V, 1970). 6 16 U.S.C. §§ 1271-1287 (Supp. V, 1970). 197 |