Tennessee Wilderness Act Highlights Outdoor Recreation Economic Contributions

Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

A recent push by legislatures to designate new wilderness area in the Cherokee National Forest has brought to light the significant economic impact of outdoor recreation. The Tennessee Wilderness Act 2013 was introduced in the Senate by Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker in July and there is hope that it will find favor on the National front. This will be the third time that the bill has been introduced and its passage would protect nearly 20,000 acres of public land, expand five existing wilderness areas and create one new area, the Upper Bald River Wilderness Area. Outdoor recreation is an important contributor to the local economy. In Tennessee, outdoor recreation brings in more than $8.2 billion in consumer spending and generates 83,000 direct jobs. $2.5 billion in salaries and wages, as well as $535 million in State and local tax revenue are generated in Tennessee through outdoor recreation. Gatlinburg and the surrounding area benefit financially from the outdoor recreation opportunities that are a part of the National Park. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited National Park and sees nearly 10 million visitors a year, many looking for the numerous outdoor recreational experiences that are abundant in the area. A great deal of the dollars generated from outdoor recreation come from the area of the National Park. As Tennessee continues to strive to grow its outdoor recreation industry, the benefits of a State wide push toward promoting outdoor recreation opportunities should continue to ramp up tourist traffic in Gatlinburg and other adjacent locations, which will contribute dollars to associated businesses in the area. Previous attempts to pass the Wilderness Act have floundered, caught in political stalemate. With the Presidential nod of approval, the Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2013 awaits its day on the hill.