Westerman introduces Bipartisan Lakes Act to expand opportunities for outdoor recreation facilities

Bruce Westerman

Steve Womack

WASHINGTON - Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), and Steve Womack (R-AR-03), introduced H.R. 6906, the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act to expand opportunities to improve and develop outdoor recreation facilities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed areas.

“Outdoor recreation is among one of the top economic drivers in the U.S., especially in states like Arkansas. Because of discrepancies in current federal law, managers of some of our favorite outdoor recreation sites have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to maintain and manage the sites. The LAKES Act will correct the discrepancies, cut out the burdensome federal red tape, and make it easier for the Corps to manage their sites for generations to enjoy for years to come,” Rep. Westerman said.

“Outdoor recreation is a fundamental part of life for folks in my district, and its popularity – and the demand for increased access – is growing nationwide. Local favorites for my constituents, like Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino, provide all kinds of opportunities for outdoor fun. But local managers have to jump through countless hoops to keep these places safe and enjoyable,” said Rep. Huffman. “Our bill will guarantee the Army Corps can retain recreation fees at the sites they’re 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.”  

“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,” said Rep. Womack. “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.”

Stakeholder support:

“Thank you to Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) for championing the introduction of The Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “This legislation prioritizes the maintenance and upkeep of high-use recreation infrastructure and facilities enjoyed by millions of Americans. By providing the Army Corps of Engineers with the ability to reinvest recreation fees into the operations and maintenance of recreation access points, the LAKES Act helps support the outdoor recreation economy, which contributes more than $1 trillion to our country’s economy and represents a significant pastime for millions of Americans.”

Background:

• Under current law, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recreation facilities cannot retain recreation fee revenues collected onsite, an authority afforded to the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service.

• The Challenge Cost Sharing Cooperative Management Program was created for participating agencies to split operation and management expenses with outside groups. However, despite interest from private and nonprofit organizations, USACE is limited to partnering with non-federal public entities.

• The USACE is one of the nation’s largest federal outdoor recreation providers, managing nearly 257,000 facilities across 43 states.

• U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Boozman (R-AR), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Steve Daines (R-MT) are cosponsors of the Senate companion LAKES Act.

The LAKES Act would: 

• Allow USACE to retain 80% of recreation fees collected onsite for operation and management expenses at that location.

• Amend the Challenge Cost Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement authority to enable nonprofit entities to enter into cooperative agreements to operate and maintain recreation facilities under USACE jurisdiction.

• Keep resources and decision-making related to the operation and maintenance of recreation facilities under USACE jurisdiction in the hands of local managers rather than federal officials.

Click here to view the full bill text.

Click here to view a letter of support from over 25 organizations representing various sections of the U.S. outdoor recreation industry.

Issues:Transportation and Infrastructure

Westerman votes to bolster national defense

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:

“This year under Republican House leadership, Congress followed regular order on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure all members, in both chambers, had the opportunity to participate in the crafting of the legislation and ensure the priorities of their districts and states were met. The NDAA exemplifies bicameral, bipartisan work and will bolster our national defense capabilities, increase our military readiness, and support our servicemen and women, all while remaining within the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s FY 24 defense discretionary spending level. Moreover, the legislation funnels key investments through defense programs in Southwest Arkansas, which is critical to ensure we remain a global defense leader and support Arkansans who work in the national defense industry.

“I advocated for, and am proud to see, provisions included in the NDAA that would give the Department of Defense (DoD) authority to grant funding to the Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs for on-site security and fire prevention services. This is the next step in a whole-of-government approach to properly secure the site and put it on a better path forward to a more beneficial use in the future.

"Through this process, House Republicans successfully fought to push back against the radical woke ideology in our military, which the Senate tried so hard to include. This NDAA bans the teaching, training, and promotion of critical race theory in the military, guts the pay of DEI bureaucrats at the Pentagon, and prohibits the display of any unapproved flags at military institutions - meaning the VA can no longer display pride flags at their facilities. While we fought hard to push back on the woke agenda and this NDAA came out with significant conservative priorities included, our country needs a Republican-controlled House, Senate, and White House to get our military back to where it needs to be to be a true global leader in defense and to fully rid the DoD from these woke ideologies.”

BACKGROUND:

The FY24 National Defense Authorization Act:

• Authorizes the DoD to provide grant funding to the state of Arkansas for increased on-site security and fire prevention services at the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

• Authorizes the procurement for CH-53 and CH-47 helicopters whose parts are manufactured in Magnolia and Hot Springs, AR, bolsters the modernization of our Nuclear Triad, adds additional F-35s, and facilitates manufacturing of guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), which all have a production footprint in Camden, AR.

• Funnels critical investments to the Fourth District and supports hundreds of jobs through investments in missile systems, aircraft, and explosive ordinances that proudly have manufacturing or assembly done in Arkansas’ Fourth District.

• Enhances U.S. military readiness and builds and maintains the overmatch needed to counter the aggression of foreign adversaries.

• Boosts servicemember pay and benefits and improves the quality of life for military families by supporting the largest pay raise in over 20 years.

• Prohibits the display of any unapproved flags, including the LGBTQ pride flag, at military institutions.

• Authorizes DoD to reduce out-of-pocket childcare expenses for military families.

• Improves military recruitment by increasing the number of JROTC programs, requires schools to allow military recruiters to participate in career fairs, and extends military recruitment bonuses.

The Former Army-Navy Hospital:

• The site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city’s downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the early 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients. The site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas and became a state-run rehabilitation center in 1960; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute. In 2019, the State ceased all operations at the site, and since then, the site has been vacant. As many Hot Springs residents know, the buildings and surrounding grounds have been targets of vandalism and unauthorized access in recent years, leading to serious safety and fire concerns.

• Congressman Bruce Westerman worked closely with Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03) to ensure language (Section 2852) was included in the FY24 NDAA to give the DoD authority to provide grant funding to the state of Arkansas for increased security and fire prevention services at the site of the former Army-Navy Hospital.

Click here for a summary of the FY24 NDAA.

Click here for the full text of the FY24 NDAA.

Issues:Security

U.S Rep. Bruce Westerman explains lithium development in south Arkansas

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Earlier this year, Exxonmobil acquired the rights for a lithium brine reservoir in south Arkansas. Lithium is a key component that is used in electric vehicle batteries.

In an interview with Arkansas PBS’ Arkansas Week, U.S Rep. Bruce Westerman, R- Hot Springs, said the southern region of Arkansas potentially has enough lithium to produce about 15% of the world’s lithium. Westerman said the lithium in south Arkansas could grow the economy in that region.

“Now that lithium is a valuable commodity investors are anxious to be able to extract the lithium to meet even more demand. There’s talks the value of lithium could be more than the value of all the oil and gas produced in South Arkansas,” he said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-08-20/u-s-rep-bruce-westerman-explains-lithium-development-in-south-arkansas

Arkansas PBS

In an interview with Arkansas PBS' Arkansas Week, U.S Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, sees lithium as a boom to the local economy. The congressman also shared concerns about the region having the resources needed to accommodate the potential boom to the region.

With GOP taking House majority, Rep. Westerman in line for committee chairmanship

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

With Republicans taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, is poised to lead the House Natural Resources Committee.

Westerman, who was first elected to Congress in 2014, is the ranking member on the committee. A forester and engineer by trade, he was re-elected earlier this month to his fifth term.

While there are still a handful of close House races to be called, Republicans have won 218 seats, enough to secure the majority. Democrats have presently been declared victors in 210 House seats. There are still seven races too close to call.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/11/with-gop-taking-house-majority-rep-westerman-in-line-for-committee-chairmanship/

Westerman tours Southwest Research and Extension Center during agriculture tour

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture

HOPE, Ark. — From the global economy and supply chain to the global climate and regional weather patterns, perhaps no industry is as affected by external forces as agriculture. For better or worse, that makes farming a primary concern of political representatives at every level — especially in a state dominated by agriculture.

ON THE FARM — Vice President for Agriculture Deacue Fields, left, and Rep. Bruce Westerman listen to a description of ongoing research from Aaron Cato, integrated pest management specialist for the Division of Agriculture, during Westerman's recent visit to the Southwest Research and Extension Center. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman, who represents Arkansas’ fourth district, visited the Southwest Research and Extension Center last week. Westerman said he typically takes time during each Congressional recess to meet with farmers, agricultural researchers and other industry professionals throughout Arkansas.

“We do have the farm bill coming up next year,” he said. “Tours like this give me a chance to get input from farmers and other people who will be impacted by that bill.”

Daniel Rivera, associate professor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and director of the research center, said he was glad to have the opportunity to show off the SWREC’s cattle and grazing facilities, demonstrating how the research is key to the success of many Arkansas producers.

“We’re talking about some of the things we’re doing to navigate the drought,” Rivera said. “We’ve implemented a management program where we’ve been able to fertilize grasses in August and take advantage of some of those timely rains. That allowed us to get some grass growing and stockpile it.”

Rivera spoke about how various systems, such as the “300 Days of Grazing” concept, work to both ensure adequate feed for cattle and help to naturally clear biomass from fields, making it easier and less input-intensive to plant cold season grasses.

“There’s really no way to move forward other than with tighter management,” he said. “What we’re trying to show is that if you adhere to these principals, we can take advantage of that grass, without having to feed any hay.”

The center, part of the Division of Agriculture’s network of research stations across the state, focuses on several areas in addition to forage and grazing, including horticulture propagation and pest management. It also houses the state’s nematode laboratory, which analyzes soil samples for pests.

Amanda Greer, nematode lab supervisor, told Westerman about the lab’s importance to agricultural exports.

“We get samples of pine shavings from loads that go to China, for example,” Greer said. “We look to make sure there aren’t pests in the samples, and report back. That way, they can be issued a permit.”

Greer said the lab analyzes samples from growers throughout the state, as well as the Arkansas Plant Board and other states’ respective plant boards.

A native of Hot Springs, Westerman was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014. Among other assignments, he serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources. Before his election to national office, he served two terms in the Arkansas General Assembly.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Lady Colts Basketball Team Pictured with Congressman Bruce Westerman

Members of the Lady Colts basketball team took some time on Monday afternoon to visit with Arkansas' 4th District Congressman Bruce Westerman at the construction site of the Sevier County Medical Center.

Arkansas 4th District Congressional Candidates Meet For Debate

Arkansas 4th District Rep. Bruce Westerman met with his Democrat and Libertarian challengers in a debate held by Arkansas PBS Tuesday. Democrat William Hanson and Libertarian Frank Gilbert are challenging the incumbent Republican congressman in the race to represent the southwest Arkansas district in the U.S House of Representatives.

Westerman is a trained forester and engineer and has served in the House since 2015. Hanson is an attorney and former law professor. Gilbert is the former mayor of the Grant County town of Tull.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-4th-district-congressional-candidates-meet-debate

Arkansas 4th District Congressional Candidates Meet For Debate

Arkansas 4th District Rep. Bruce Westerman met with his Democrat and Libertarian challengers in a debate held by Arkansas PBS Tuesday. Democrat William Hanson and Libertarian Frank Gilbert are challenging the incumbent Republican congressman in the race to represent the southwest Arkansas district in the U.S House of Representatives.