The Economic Value of ‘Quiet Recreation’ on BLM LandsThe Economic Value of ‘Quiet Recreation’ on BLM Lands
Nonmotorized recreation on the 246 million acres of our nation’s land overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) supports 25,000 jobs and generates $2.8 billion for the U.S. economy, according to the first study focused entirely on the economic contribution of “quiet recreation” visitors on BLM lands.
This study was conducted by the independent firm ECONorthwest and commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The researchers found that visits to these landscapes in 11 western states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as Alaska—in 2014 generated approximately $1.8 billion in spending in communities within 50 miles of the recreation sites, which circulated through the state and national economies and resulted in $800 million in employees’ salaries, wages, and benefits.
In CALIFORNIA alone, there were 4.9 million visits to the state’s 15.2 million acres of BLM lands in 2014 to enjoy nonmotorized outdoor activities. $329 MILLION in overall spending impact, $244 MILLION in total direct spending on quiet recreation visits within 50 miles of recreation sites. $97 MILLION generated in personal income to people specifically tied to quiet recreation on BLM lands, including wages, salaries, and benefits. 2,505 jobs supported locally as a result of quiet recreation visits to BLM land.
Groups who were represented in the non motorized passive use: hikers, horseback riders, bicycling, fishing, backpacking, photographers, rock hounds, bird watchers, wild flower watchers, etc.
GO HERE to download California's fact sheet
GO HERE TO SEE THE PEW TRUST'S REPORT.