**Kuster reintroduced legislation this Congress, the SHRED Act, to direct a portion of the National Forest System fees back to local forests for local infrastructure improvements**

Pinkham Notch, N.H. — Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Ski and Snowboard Caucus, met with outdoor recreation partners and conservation specialists to discuss the changes to New Hampshire’s recreation economy and the increased use of the White Mountain National Forest. During the conversation, Kuster highlighted her work to support Granite State recreation, including her legislation the SHRED Act, conservation investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, and preservation measures in the Great American Outdoors Act. 

“New Hampshire is home to the most beautiful land and outdoor recreation in the country — we have a responsibility to protect and preserve it so future generations can continue to enjoy all our state has to offer,” said Rep. Kuster. “Today’s conversation was timely, as outdoor recreation has never been in more demand. While this is great news for our economy, it has also demanded creativity from the many stakeholders who manage and maintain the resources that draw visitors from around the world. I appreciated hearing from so many individuals whose tireless work helps make the White Mountain National Forest the gem that it is. Thank you to the New Hampshire Appalachian Mountain Club for hosting us today. I look forward to continuing to promote and support New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation economy.” 

“The Appalachian Mountain Club was proud to host Congresswoman Annie Kuster and other regional conservation leaders today at our Camp Dodge Trails Training Center for a conversation about our shared goal of fostering a broader understanding of the outdoors while protecting our natural and recreational resources,” said Susan Arnold, Interim President and CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club. “It’s exciting to see the growing recreational use in our region, but it brings with it new strains on our trail systems and other infrastructure, and new challenges to our efforts to protect fragile environments like the alpine zone.  And climate change adds to these pressures with more extreme rain events, a longer mud season, and reduced snowpack. We are lucky to work in such close partnership with so many to protect and maintain these resources, and appreciate the increased funding from the Great American Outdoors Act and other federal and state sources that is available to support this work.”

Kuster was joined by Susan Arnold, Interim President and CEO, Appalachian Mountain Club; Amanda Peterson, Trail Programs Operations Manager, AMC; Sarah Hankens, Technical and Public Service Staff Officer, WMNF; Phil Bryce, Director, NH Division of Parks and Recreation; Jessyca Keeler, President, Ski New Hampshire; J.D. Crichton, General Manager, Wildcat Mountain; Brandon Swartz, General Manager of Attitash Mountain; Tyler Ray, Granite Backcountry Alliance; Ellen Chandler, Executive Director, Jackson XC; and Ed Butler, Owner of Notchland Inn for the conversation.

Kuster is an outspoken advocate for New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation and preservation in Congress. She co-sponsored the Great American Outdoors Act, which passed Congress and became law in 2020, to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for the first time in the program’s 56-year history. Kuster was also a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included historic investments in clean energy and combatting the effects of climate change. The bill also invested billions of dollars in conservation and forestry programs that are already so popular that they are over-subscribed. 

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