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Mar 17, 2010

Confluence CEO Rechner challenges senator’s diminishment of recreation

Sue Rechner, CEO of Confluence Watersports, challenged her home state U.S. Senator Jim DeMint recently for a column the senator wrote that missed the boat on the importance of active outdoor recreation to the economy of South Carolina. Senator DeMint recently penned a guest opinion criticizing the prospect of new monuments on public lands and included this line, “Apparently, Washington bureaucrats believe it's more important to preserve grass and rocks for birdwatchers and backpackers than to keep these local economies thriving.” Rechner took the opportunity to write a response in which she pointed out the important economic contribution of outdoor recreation to local communities, including boosting employment, retail sales and the local tax base. To read Sue’s response visit The Washington Times.

OIA thanks Sue for making the voice of recreation heard in the national debate over the balanced use of public lands.