Southern California can continue sustainable economic growth and protect its environment through planned development that does not fragment and pollute the region. Travel and tourism are a major component of our economy especially in the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, and Imperial. The California Desert is one of the top outdoor recreation spots in the continental United States with 6.7 million recreation visitor days reported to its national parks and wilderness areas and $230 million spent annually. Protecting our deserts and our way of life is also protecting our economy.

Additionally, the communities that surround the California desert already benefit significantly from the fact that retirees and professionals choose to live there in large part because of the scenic and recreation amenities. Conserving the desert’s treasures and creating more access to world-class outdoor experiences will only make the region more attractive to people who have the flexibility to live and work where they choose.

Protecting the Desert's Tourism & Recreation Economy

This proposal would enable the region to continue to offer visitors a wide range of outdoor and tourism experiences, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildflower viewing and rock and gem collecting. It would also protect historic trails and important cultural sites, allowing Americans to step back in time and experience the region’s Native American, pioneering, and twentieth century history first hand. That includes a key stretch of Route 66, which Smithsonian Magazine recently named as one of the 10 Must-See Endangered Cultural Treasures.