Womack unveils bipartisan LAKES Act

Bipartisan legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) would expand opportunities to improve and develop outdoor recreation facilities at areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Rep. Womack on Dec. 22, 2023 cosponsored the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act, H.R. 6906, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and fellow cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA).

If enacted, H.R. 6906 would allow USACE to retain 80 percent of recreation fees collected onsite for operation and management expenses at each location, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

Additionally, H.R. 6906 would amend the Challenge Cost Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement authority to enable nonprofits to enter into cooperative agreements to operate and maintain recreation facilities under USACE jurisdiction, and ensure resources and decision-making related to the operation and maintenance of such facilities remain in the hands of local managers rather than federal officials, the summary says.

“Arkansas’ Third is home to world-class outdoor offerings, attracting tourists and residents alike to enjoy the immense beauty and participate in our endless recreational activities. However, under current federal law, local managers of recreation sites we all know and love, such as Beaver Lake and Table Rock Lake, must cut through endless bureaucratic red tape to maintain and operate these sites effectively,” Rep. Womack said on Jan. 4. 

“The LAKES Act would rectify this by allowing the Army Corps to retain recreation fees collected onsite, keeping maintenance and operations decisions out of the hands of federal bureaucrats and into the hands of the local managers who know these sites best,” the congressman added.

Rep. Huffman said local managers have to jump through countless hoops to keep these facilities safe and enjoyable. “Our bill will guarantee the Army Corps can retain recreation fees at the sites they’ve collected and it will open doors for management partnerships with tribes and local organizations so we can all care for the country’s treasured public spaces,” he said.

H.R. 6906 is the identical bill to S. 1358, introduced on April 27, 2023 by U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

The National Marine Manufacturers Association and more than 25 other organizations representing various sections of the U.S. outdoor recreation industry support the measure.