NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc.
03/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/18/2026 13:18
Congressional Boating Caucus Briefing Focuses on Infrastructure and Access
On March 17, NMMA, the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), and BoatUSjoined the Congressional Boating Caucus to host a Capitol Hill briefing focused on a top priority for the recreational boating industry: improving infrastructure and expanding access to public waters.
The bipartisan event was led by Caucus Co-ChairsReps.Rudy Yakym (R-IN) and Don Davis (D-NC) andbrought together congressionalstaff and industry leaders to discuss the critical rolethatfederal policy plays in supporting safe, reliable, and modern boating access across the country.
Speakers highlighted how investments in boating infrastructure- such as boat ramps, marinas, dredging, and waterways maintenance- directly support economic growth, outdoor recreation, and public access. The recreational boating industry remainsa uniquely American industry, supporting 812,000 jobs and generating $230 billionin annual economic impact. Notably, 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S., and 93 percent of manufacturers are small businesses.
New data from the U.S. Department of Commerce show the outdoor recreation economy generated $1.3 trillionin economic impactin 2024, with boating and fishing as its leading driver. Ensuring access to public waters is essential to sustaining this growth and supporting the millions of Americans who boat each year.
- Industry leaders outlined key federal programs and policies that are vital to maintainingand expanding access, including: The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, a user-pay system that is a cornerstone of conservation and infrastructure funding, andsupports state-led investments in boating access, fisheries, and habitat restoration.
- The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which provides critical direction to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging, marina development, and waterway maintenance- keyto keeping navigation channels open and safe.
Speakers underscored the need for Congress to continue advancing these programs to ensure infrastructure allows for Americans to continue to participatein outdoor recreation.
NMMA thanks its partners, including BoatUS, AMI,and MRAA, for their collaboration, as well as Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. for participatingin the discussion. NMMA also appreciates the partnership of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) for contributing their expertiseand perspective.
As Congress continues to consider infrastructure and conservation priorities, NMMA will remain focused on advancing policies that protect and expand access to public waters, strengthen U.S. marine manufacturing, support innovation, and improve recreation infrastructure for communities across the country.
NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc. published this content on March 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 18, 2026 at 19:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]