The U.S. House has passed a bill authored by Democratic U.S. Representative Peter Welch of Vermont that would measure the economic impact of outdoor recreation.
The measure calls for the Department of Commerce to measure both job creation and consumer spending tied to activities from fishing to skiing.
Welch's office says if it becomes law, the legislation would ensure that outdoor recreation jobs are counted by the federal government and would be measured as part of the overall GDP, for the first time ever.
The legislation is drawing praise from the heads of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Vermont Ski Areas Association and Lake Champlain International.
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