Zinke fills outdoor recreation panel with industry representatives

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has finalized the makeup of an advisory panel for outdoor recreation, with all of the seats filled by representatives of the recreation industry.

The members Made in America Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, announced Monday, include representatives of companies that act as concessioners in national parks and other federal land areas, the fishing industry, gun makers and hospitality, among others.

The Washington Post reported Monday that three of the 16 members of the panel had been flagged by Interior staffers for having potential conflicts of interest that would prohibit them from serving.

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“​The Made in America Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee is made up of the private sector’s best and brightest​ to tackle some of our biggest public lands infrastructure and access challenges​,” Zinke said in a statement

“This committee will ​help build on that legacy and ​provide valuable insight into addressing the maintenance backlog on our public lands. The committee’s collective experience as entrepreneurs and business leaders provide unique insight that is often lost in the federal government,” he said.

Zinke launched the panel in November. Records obtained by the Post showed that industry representatives were instrumental in convincing Zinke to establish the committee.

Interior told the Post it was looking into the allegations of conflicts of interest by committee members.

Zinke has also established advisory committees on hunting and on federal-land energy royalties, both of which have significant membership representing affected industries.