REI is a member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and an active participant in its government affairs efforts. In 2006 we focused our national efforts in collaboration with OIA on public land funding. The effort's emphasis was on the state-side portion of the Land Water Conservation Fund. The fund has a significant revenue source, but dollars must be appropriated each year and dollars for the LWCF have been diminishing over the past several years. State-side LWCF was selected as a target because the money is very important for close-to-home recreational opportunities. Additionally, the program has been in danger of being eliminated over the past couple of budget cycles.

REI's efforts included active lobbying on behalf of the program in Washington, D.C. during OIA's annual Capitol Summit. Other lobbying topics at the Summit included building support for revised National Parks (in collaboration with the National Parks Conservation Association) governing rules that prioritized conservation.

Results of both efforts were positive with the state-side LWCF continuing to be funded at $30 million for 2007, and a September 2006 announcement that the Department of Interior would continue to manage the parks with conservation of their natural qualities as its top priority.

In addition to direct lobbying, REI was a major supporter, both financially and with staff expertise, in the development and publication of an industry study that illustrated the direct and extended economic impact of outdoor businesses. The research has been used in numerous ways to support the need for public policy and funding that supports conservation and active outdoor recreation. More information about the study can be found on the Outdoor Industry Association website, www.outdoorindustry.org.

In the spring of 2006 REI endorsed and participated in an announcement by the state of Washington that it was joining a lawsuit seeking to overturn the current administration's repeal of the Clinton Roadless Rule. REI had been a supporter of the original Roadless Rule. We commented in favor of the rule in the 1990s because of the protections it affords important recreational lands and habitat across the country. In September, a U.S. district judge acted on the suit and reinstated protections on these last undeveloped federal forest service lands that are important to active outdoor recreation.