While a record 331 million visited the National Park System last year, and the Outdoor Industry Association says the United States is the world leader in outdoor recreation, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke believes his department and its bureaus can raise the recreation bar higher/NPS photo of Denali National Park and Preserve

Somewhere along the way, according to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, his department has forgotten that it's supposed to focus on recreation.

The secretary expressed that view Wednesday despite:

* A National Park System that saw a record 331 million visitors in 2017 to its more than 84 million acres with rivers and lakes to paddle, swim, or fish, mountains to climb, and forests to hike through;

* More than 248 million acres managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management that are open to more recreational pursuits than park lands are, and;

* More than 150 million acres and 560 wildlife refuges overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that serve as recreational outlets for hunters, anglers, and birders.

In doing so, he directed the agencies under his purview to craft plans for "developing or expanding" recreational opportunities on public lands.

“From my first day on the job, I have made it abundantly clear that we are going to refocus on Interior’s long-standing but recently forgotten recreation mission,” Secretary Zinke said Wednesday after signing that directive. “We are incredibly fortunate, as Americans, to have amazing public lands and waters to carry out our tradition of outdoor recreation but the department must continue to create opportunities to increase access for these pursuits.”

Last year nearly $900 billion was spent on outdoor recreation in the United States, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. That group's report tracked consumer spending on camping, fishing, hunting, motorcycling, off-road vehicles, snow sports, trail sports, water sports, cycling and skateboarding, and wildlife viewing.

The total, $887 billion, trailed only the financial services and insurance industry, outpatient health care, and hospital care in terms of annual consumer spending, the OIA report noted.

"The United States is globally recognized as the leader in outdoor recreation," stated the report.

Specific to public lands, the OIA report said, "National parks, national wildlife refuges, national monuments and other public lands and waters account for $45 billion in economic output and about 396,000 jobs nationwide. These public areas provide significant economic benefits, particularly for nearby rural communities. Public lands and waters are the outdoor industry’s basic infrastructure, and without them the industry cannot survive. Preserving access is imperative to enhancing the industry’s economic and social impact. Access ensures every American’s ability to get outside where jobs, health and communities grow."

Secretary Zinke did not explain what he meant when he said his department had "forgotten" its recreation mission, and his staff did not immediately respond Thursday to an emailed inquiry seeking clarification.

However, in his directive to the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, BLM, and Bureau of Reclamation to seek new recreational avenues, Secretary Zinke noted that he also recently appointed a "Made in America Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee" to explore ways to expand access and improve infrastructure on public lands and waters.

Included in his press release were quotes from businesses tied to outdoor recreation.

“We are delighted by the Secretary’s actions to put in place what he has pledged: a system that will elevate the priority of outdoor recreation on public lands and waters managed by the Department of Interior," said Thom Dammrich, the President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. "The Secretary’s action recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation for our economy, particularly rural economies, and for the physical and mental health of all Americans. His actions today will help grow outdoor recreation and ensure that fun in the outdoors remains central to the American lifestyle. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable pledges our support to the Secretary in his efforts to elevate the Department’s commitment to outdoor recreation.”

"Outdoor recreation is an economic engine that produces 2% of the U.S. GDP and is growing at a faster rate than the U.S. economy as a whole," said Frank Hugelmeyer, the President of the RV Industry Association. "With the right public policies, outdoor recreation will continue to be an American economic engine for years to come. Which is why the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and its member associations applaud today’s announcements by Secretary Zinke as a common sense plan to elevate the importance of outdoor recreation on public lands and waters throughout the Department of the Interior. This is an important step towards improving the visitor experience on public lands and waters across the country."

“The recreation industry looks forward to cooperating with the department to offer visitors to parks, refuges and other special places great experiences," said Derrick Crandall, President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. "The result of better and modernized visitor infrastructure which will contribute to a renaissance of rural communities and a renewed commitment by all Americans to the strong conservation ethic our nation has shared with the world. We thank Secretary Zinke for putting a new emphasis on welcoming enjoyment of our public lands and waters and embracing new skills and new ideas to make visits compatible with protecting our natural and historic resources.”

Secretary Zinke's stated goal is to help reduce the maintenance backlog across public lands by boosting recreation on them.

"The revenue generated helps to reduce the significant maintenance backlogs that exists on lands managed by the department. Enhancing recreational opportunities can only help to further defray the cost of maintaining our treasured public lands," the directive states.

The directive also calls for the various agencies to seek ways to streamline permitting processes for guides and outfitters, and improving the contracting process for concessionaires who wish to build business from public lands. Secretary Zinke also seeks to improve access to public lands and waters where "access for recreation is limited, including areas that may be impractical or impossible to access via public roads or trails under current conditions," through "voluntary easements, rights-of-way, or voluntary acquisitions."

The chart below lists those appointed to the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee.