The Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission

      In 1958, spurred by escalating pressures on America’s outdoor resources after World War II, Congress commissioned the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission (ORRRC) to study the outdoor recreation needs of the nation.  Established under President Eisenhower and reporting to the Kennedy administration, the work of ORRRC was a driving force behind many gains of the last 40 years, including major expansion of the National Park System, success of the wilderness movement, comprehensive outdoor recreation plans in every state, and the clean water crusade.  The ORRRC report led directly to establishment of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

*      Under the leadership of Laurence Rockefeller, Chairperson, the ORRRC Report was issued in 1962.  As a result of the ORRRC report, several mandates were developed in addition to the now defunct Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) that was established in 1963. 

*      The BOR’s main responsibilities were directed toward assisting the state and local governments to develop their outdoor recreation resources.  To make it possible for the BOR to carry out its responsibilities, Congress passed the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act in 1965.  It was through this fund that the BOR made federal grant money available.  The Land and Water Conservation fund is funded by federal taxes on marine gasoline, the sale of federal real property, offshore oil leases, and admission charged at federal recreation sites.

*      In 1973 the BOR issued to the President the first Nationwide Outdoor Recreation Plan.  In 1978 the BOR was reconstituted as the Heritage Conservation & Recreation Service (HCRS).  It retained most of the responsibilities of the BOR, especially control of Water & Conservation Funds.

*      In 1981 the HCRS was abolished and control of the Land & Water Conservation Fund was given to the National Park Service.

*      In 2002 the ORRRC celebrated its 40 year anniversary.  During this year, the National Recreation & Park Association devoted a section of each monthly issue of the Parks & Recreation magazine reminding us of the myriad accomplishments that resulted from the recommendations of this landmark commission.  Each section was devoted to a different theme in terms of what has been transformed over this forty-year period and what has, in effect, seen little change.  Examples of topics published each month include:  The role of education in outdoor recreation, research needs, diversity in America’s parks and outdoors, financing programs, the federal role in land conservation, an urban perspective, and recreation then and now.

For more information:

http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/anps/anps_5d.htm