State lawmakers in Harrisburg this month are crafting next year’s state budget, and they are searching for ways to invest in our quality of life and show a return for taxpayers.

I believe they should look outdoors for the answer.

This year, lawmakers have an historic opportunity to invest in our state parks and forests thanks to Pennsylvania’s share of the American Rescue Plan. It's an investment that makes good economic sense.

Outdoor recreation generates around $29.1 billion in consumer spending annually, supporting 251,000 jobs and creating $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. Visitors purchase hotel rooms, dinners, souvenirs, and outdoor equipment. This spending helps sustain local businesses and creates local jobs, which lead to more investments and tax revenues.

My family and I own and operate recreational businesses in Jim Thorpe that help draw nearly 150,000 to the region annually. Our guests spend their days biking and rafting and many then spend their nights at local restaurants, shops and hotels.

Our businesses directly rely on the Lehigh Gorge State Park, which offers world-class biking, hiking trails and whitewater rafting. Thousands of visitors enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunity of the Lehigh Gorge and many visitors return not just year after year but multiple times per year.

All around the state, in the past two years, record numbers of visitors flocked to state parks and forests, seeking recreation, fresh air, and mental health in the face of the pandemic. Those numbers remain high as the restrictions have loosened.

That's the good news. The downside is the influx of visitors has had a huge impact on the buildings, roads, and bridges in our parks and forests. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reports that there is a $1.4 billion backlog of infrastructure renovations and deferred maintenance at the 121 state parks across PA. Repairs are needed to aging dams, public water supplies, wastewater treatment plants, roadways, bridges, and buildings.

State lawmakers now have a unique opportunity to make a dent in that backlog by using American Rescue Plan Funds.They can use these funds to ensure that we and future generations of Pennsylvanians along with visitors have the ability to enjoy safe and healthy outdoor activities on public properties.

In addition to the economic benefits, there are specific environmental benefits created by investing in PA parks and forests. Public lands provide water filtration, air quality improvements, and flood controls.

A recent statewide poll commissioned by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation shows that an amazing 79% of likely voters in PA support spending American Rescue Plan funds to protect clean water and air and reduce flooding.

It's heartening to know that, in today's politically divisive culture, there are still issues that can draw support from people of all ages, backgrounds, regions and political parties. Everyone wants clean air and clean water. In fact, our state constitution says we have a right to clean air, pure water and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.

Let's ask our state lawmakers to use American Rescue Plan funds to repair the aging infrastructure at our state parks and forests. It's an investment that makes sense for us, our natural resources and our economy.

Paul Fogal and his family own Pocono Whitewater and Pocono Biking, outdoor recreational businesses based in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.