Policy Watch – Outdoor Recreation Economy Increases to Record $1.3 Trillion Impact in 2024
43 seconds ago by Chris Munchow
Modified Mar 9th, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Outdoor Recreation Economy Increases to Record $1.3 Trillion Impact in 2024
On March 5th, The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released new data highlighting the economic impact of outdoor recreation in 2024. According to the report, the outdoor recreation industry generated $1.3 trillion, which marks an increase from 2023 ($1.2 trillion) and represents the largest outdoor recreation economy in history.
The outdoor recreation industry remains an economic powerhouse, constituting 2.4% of the total GDP, creating 5.2 million jobs, and representing 3.2% of total national employment. Outdoor recreation has also continued to outpace many traditional industries, generating more economic activity than sectors such as farming, mining and utilities. Fishing and boating remain at the top of conventional outdoor recreation industry contributors. Together, they generated $38.4 billion, with Florida ($4.4 billion), California ($3.3 billion), and Texas ($3.0 billion) serving as the largest contributors.
Click below to read ASA’s press release.
CIT Orders IEEPA Duty Refunds
On March 4, the Court of International Trade (CIT) ordered that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) take immediate action to refund most IEEPA duties paid to all importers.
The Trump Administration immediately argued that it is unable to comply with the Court’s order. CBP proposed to create a new process that would “streamline and consolidate refunds and interest payments on an importer basis” – which could be developed in as soon as 45 days. CIT subsequently withdrew the immediate nature of the tariff refund order, though the order itself remains active.
CBP will be issuing refunds with interest to importers, but it is unclear when and how that process will occur.
$133,500,000,000
$133,500,000,000 is the revenue collected through IEEPA tariffs recently ordered to be refunded by the Court of International Trade. This is the most recent data released Dec 14th, 2025, current reports estimate it to exceed $160 billion.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
NOAA Announces Plan to Modify North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule
Last week, NOAA announced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking considering possible deregulatory action to modify the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule. The goal of this initiative is to reduce unnecessary regulatory and economic burdens on the regulated community by replacing current seasonal speed restrictions with alternative management areas and advanced, technology-based, strike-avoidance measures that maintain or enhance conservation efficacy for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. ASA looks forward to engaging in this process to ensure proper actions based on modern technology are adopted, supporting both right whale recovery and continued public access to the ocean.
Click below to read NOAA’s full release.
ASA Signs Onto Letter Supporting USMCA Trade Agreement
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is up for review in July, and the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) sent a multi-association letter to President Trump and Ambassador Greer supporting the extension while reiterating the importance of the USMCA.
ASA signed on to express strong support for extending USMCA and ensuring sustained, meaningful engagement with U.S. business and manufacturing stakeholders throughout the review process until the agreement is renewed for a full 16-year term.
Click below to read the coalition support letter.
