WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to address America’s obesity crisis, Representative George Miller (D-CA) and Representative Don Young (R-AK) today introduced legislation to establish a permanent source of annual funding for local governments, states, and federal agencies to encourage physical activity and recreation in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

The Get Outdoors Act (GO) responds to numerous studies showing that people are more likely to be physically active if they have greater access to nearby recreational opportunities. Such studies have appeared in the American Journal of Public Health, the American Journal of Health Promotion, and the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.

And it is overwhelmingly evident that lack of physical activity is one of the root causes of obesity, which the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just declared is on track to overtake tobacco as the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. It is estimated that obesity-related health problems cost the U.S. economy nearly $100 billion annually. The GO Act would cost just roughly 3 percent of that, while providing more than $3 billion a year to achieve its goals.

“We can shrink Americans’ waistlines by expanding the number of goal lines and foul lines in suburbs and inner cities,” said Miller, the former chairman and current member of the House Resources Committee and the current chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, “and by expanding the number of hiking trails, bike paths, and other public recreation opportunities throughout the country.

“Obesity is a public health crisis of the first order. And the Get Outdoors Act is a sensible way to help mitigate that public health crisis.

“Congress cannot, and should not, tell Americans what to eat, but we can fight the battle of the bulge by investing in local parks, recreation centers, soccer fields, and hiking trails. If we are serious about addressing the long-term cost of obesity-related health problems, we have to recognize the importance of recreation opportunities for children, adults, and families,” Miller said.

Specifically, the bipartisan bill would provide $3.125 billion per year, derived from revenues from offshore energy production, for the following purposes:

$1.450 billion to state and local governments for recreation and conservation purposes;

$650 million to assist federal land managers in maintaining and enhancing public lands;

$350 million to local governments near public lands to assist with community needs;

$125 million to local governments for urban parks and recreation programs;

$350 million to enhance access to hunting, angling, and wildlife viewing;

$50 million to protect imperiled wildlife and rare plants; and

$160 million to preserve historic places.

“For all Americans - whether they live in cities, suburbs, or in rural areas - this bill will create and sustain convenient, attractive places that people will want to go to have fun and get exercise,” said Miller.

Public Health Groups

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity

Smart Growth/Planning Groups

Smart Growth America
American Planning Association
American Society of Landscape Architects
National Association of Recreation and Resource Planners

Sports Groups

US Soccer Foundation
National Council of Youth Sports
SGMA International

Land Trust Groups

The Nature Conservancy
Trust for Public Land

Outdoor Recreation Businesses/User Groups

Outdoor Industry Association
American Hiking Society
American Canoe Association
American Whitewater Association
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Access Fund
Winter Wildlands

Wildlife/Hunting Groups

International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
National Wildlife Federation
Izaak Walton League of America

Government/Agency Associations

US Conference of Mayors

Preservation Groups

Preservation Action

Park Groups

National Parks Conservation Association
National Recreation and Park Association
City Parks Alliance
National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers
National Association of State Park Directors