The RV Industry Association (RVIA) is applauding the establishment of the Make America Beautiful Again Commission, a federal initiative aimed at conserving the nation’s natural resources and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Also known as MABA 250, the commission is chaired by U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and is designed to guide conservation policy as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.
According to the association, the commission will serve as a governing framework for stewardship and environmental priorities over the next 250 years.
The initiative is intended to balance conservation efforts with economic growth, emphasizing responsible management of public lands and waters while restoring wildlife habitats and safeguarding outdoor spaces.
A report outlining the commission’s accomplishments is expected to be released in conjunction with the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library as part of America 250 commemorations.
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) also expressed support for the commission and outlined its potential economic impact.
The group cited the United States’ $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, which it said supports more than 5 million jobs and strengthens rural and gateway communities nationwide. The sector also contributes to physical and mental health outcomes across all 50 states.
Ahead of a commission meeting, ORR submitted recommendations focused on building a sustainable outdoor recreation economy. Those proposals include reauthorizing and strengthening the Legacy Restoration Fund to modernize recreation infrastructure and accelerate projects nationwide, as well as fully implementing the bipartisan EXPLORE Act to expand access, innovation and public-private partnerships.
Additional recommendations call for recognizing outdoor recreation as essential infrastructure, preserving public land and water access in perpetuity, reducing regulatory barriers for recreation businesses, strengthening federal-state coordination including State Offices of Outdoor Recreation, and modernizing campgrounds, marinas and boating infrastructure.
“The RV Industry Association celebrates the Make America Beautiful Again commission and its commitment to the nation’s natural treasures and outdoor recreation economy,” Jack Holt, federal affairs manager for the RVIA, said in a News and Insights report of RVIA on March 3.
“We are pleased the commission will place significant focus on responsible conservation and stewardship of public lands. Additionally, with the United States’ 250th anniversary approaching, there is no better time to bring people together to celebrate the country’s diverse landscapes and the freedom of the open road,” Holt added.