June 22, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New study shows importance of public lands on Washington’s recreation economy
With just 99 days left before America’s most important public lands conservation tool expires, the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA) released a new study today that shows sportfishing on public lands in Washington supports more than 10,000 jobs and more than $400 million in income.
“Public lands are vital to rural economies in Washington. We need programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund to continue to support outdoor recreation businesses and jobs,” said Liz Hamilton, executive director of NSIA.
The study, conducted by Southwick Associates, focused on the sportfishing economy and its relation to public lands. Results show that fishing on public lands contributes to 65% of the fishing-related spending in Washington. The report summary for Washington and Oregon can be found on the NSIA website.
The study discovered the north central region of Washington was the biggest beneficiary of fishing-related economy impact on public lands. This area alone sustains 3,283 jobs, $240.2 million in retail sales and over $396 million in economic output coming from access to public lands.
Eastern Washington was the second-highest beneficiary of fishing-related activity on public lands with 2,106 jobs, $154.1 million in retail sales, and $254.2 million in economic output.
Overall, the study found that anglers spent more than $160 million on food and lodging, $170 million on transportation, and more than $214 million on fishing rods, reels and tackle in 2011 statewide.
The report also focused on how Land and Water Conservation Fund projects benefit the local Washington economy, using the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (NRA) as a case study. Lake Chelan NRA offers exceptional recreation opportunities for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, nature study and camping. The 62,000-acre Lake Chelan NRA is an important resource for outdoor recreation. Fishing alone brings in 4,500 of the area’s 37,000 visitors.
Southwick estimated the Lake Chelan NRA generates more than $7.3 million in economic impact, creating more than 70 jobs earning more than $2.4 million in wages. The tax revenue generated from Lake Chelan NRA is estimated to be more than $1 million annually.
“I grew up exploring and adventuring on Washington’s public lands, and still do today,” said Buzz Ramsey, NSIA board member and one of the Pacific Northwest’s best salmon and steelhead fishermen. “This study shows that the economic impacts of public lands leads to more purchases of everything from fishing rods to binoculars.”
Today NSIA will deliver the study to Washington’s US Senators, who are strong supporters of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an effective program that reinvests a small portion of royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling into onshore conservation projects. Ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Maria Cantwell has introduced a bill to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Patty Murray works hard to ensure that the program continues to be funded each year. Unfortunately, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is on track to expire unless Congress works together to reauthorize it by September.
NSIA and Southwick conducted a similar study in Oregon in 2013, finding comparable results about the importance of public lands for outdoor recreation businesses, jobs, and rural economies. Please inquire for more details about the Oregon results.
Southwick Associates was founded in 1989, serving state fish and wildlife agencies, sportfishing and hunting industries, and non-profits. It specializes in economic and business statistics related to fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation.
The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association was established in 1993 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of sport fisheries and the businesses dependent upon them.
For a copy of the full study, contact Liz Hamilton at 503-631-8859 or info@nsiafishing.org.
