Lake Texoma RegionalRecreation and Tourism

Economic Impacts

April 2014

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Lake Texoma Association The Lake Texoma Association (LTA is) celebrating over 60 years of

promoting and protecting Lake Texoma. LTA is a nonprofit organization functioning much like an area-wide

chamber of commerce promoting the entire Lake Texoma area, bothOklahoma and Texas.

The “Lake Texoma” brand is well known throughout the region and isa product of millions of experiences created with outdoor recreationenthusiasts, tourists, vendors, reporters, communities, andcustomers—and the visual and rational images and emotionalfeelings these groups developed as a result of their experiences.

Membership consists of over 300 Lake Texoma business owners andcorporations as well as small mom and pop businesses, individualsand retirees who all share the common goal of keeping Lake Texomaa safe and fun place to enjoy.

LTA functions with a Executive Director , Office Manager, andvolunteer Officers, Board of Directors and members.

Provides representatives to key federal, state and local committeesand organizations, continually monitors legislation, studies andevents that would have an effect on Lake Texoma and providesrecommendations or takes action consistent with its mission.

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Lake Texoma - Recreation and

Tourism Importance of the Economy and Jobs

Pew Research Center surveys, businesses and the public have clearlyindicated that the economy and jobs trump all other policy priorities.

Strengthening the nation’s economy and improving the job situation standat the top of the public’s list of domestic priorities for recovering from therecession over the next 5 to 10 years.

Federal, state and local legislators , government officials and others areincreasing emphasis on the economy and jobs.

Lake Texoma’s Economic Engine is focused on Recreation andTourism and has a critical and significant impact on the regionaleconomy, jobs, and the quality of life of Southern Oklahoma and NorthTexas.

The Lake Texoma recreation and tourism business is playing anincreasingly important role in the regional economy and jobs.

While manufacturing has generally declined in the regionaleconomy since 1980, Lake Texoma oriented travel, recreation andtourism sectors showed sustained growth except during major floodsand droughts which greatly reduced lake access, use and revenue.

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Lake Texoma Economic Engine The principal motivation for a business or region to serve

recreational enthusiasts and tourists are generally economic.

An individual business is interested primarily in its own marketing,revenues and costs.

While a community or region is concerned with promoting andmarketing recreation and tourism’s overall contribution to theeconomy, as well as its social, fiscal and environmental impacts.

A good understanding of recreation and tourism’s economic impactsis therefore important for the recreation and tourism industry,government officials, and the community as a whole.

One of the main objectives is that Customers are critical to thesuccess of the recreation and tourism economy.

The Lake Texoma Association plays a key role in promoting andbranding for the Lake Texoma community , region and economy incooperation with other organizations and businesses.

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Oklahoma SportsmenTOTAL SPENDING $1 BILLION PER

YEAR Lake Texoma with 87,000 acres is one of the largest lakes in

Oklahoma and has great public fishing and hunting areas.

In Oklahoma, 602,000 anglers & hunters spend $2.8 million aday.

Sportsmen support more jobs in Oklahoma than Baptist Medical Center, St.

Francis Health System and St. John Medical System combined (20,000 jobs vs.19,500).

Annual spending by Oklahoma sportsmen equals the combined revenues of ContinentalResources, Sand Ridge Energy and Diamondback Energy Services, three of the fastestgrowing energy companies in the state ($1 billion).

Oklahoma sportsmen annually spend more than the combined cash receipts for hogs andwheat, two of the state's top agricultural commodities ($1 billion vs. $950 million).

Oklahoma sportsmen outnumber the populations of Tulsa, Norman and Lawton(602,000 vs. 574,000).

Note that this just represents anglers and hunters and does not include majorexpenditures by other outdoor recreation enthusiasts and tourists.

Source: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service5

Oklahoma Sportsmen Lots of Bang. Even more bucks.

Jobs 20,000

Salaries and wages $534 million

Federal taxes $115 million

State and local taxes $108 million

Ripple effect $ 1.7 billion

Fishing $554 million

Hunting $492 million

Sportsmen total $1 billion

Source: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Texas SportsmenTOTAL SPENDING $6.6 BILLION PER YEAR

Lake Texoma is a one of the largest lakes in Texas and has largepublic fishing and hunting areas.

In Texas, 2.6 million fishermen and hunters spend $ 18 millionper day.

Sportsmen support twice the jobs in Texas as Dell Computer Corporation, LockheedMartin, Electronic Data Systems, and Dow Chemical Company combined (106,000 jobsvs. 49,000).

Annual spending by Texas sportsmen is more than the revenues of Dallas-basedBlockbuster, a Fortune 500 company ($6.6 billion vs. $5.6 billion).

Annual spending by Texas sportsmen is greater than the combined cash receipts from thestate’s cotton, greenhouse/nursery, broilers, dairy and corn production ($6.6 billion vs.$6.1 billion).

Texas sportsmen annually spend $441 million on outboard boats and engines to get outon the water and around the marshes for fishing and hunting.

Texas sportsmen outnumber the populations of San Antonio and Dallas (2.7 million vs.2.5 million).

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Texas Sportsmen• Lots of Bang. Even more bucks.

• Jobs 106,000

• Salaries and wages $3.5 billion

• Federal taxes $793 million

• State and local taxes $654 million

• Ripple effect $ 11.6 billion

• Fishing $554 million

• Hunting $492 million

• Sportsmen total $6.6 billion

Source: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and U.S. Fish and WildlifeService

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Lake Texoma – An EconomicEngine

Development around Lake Texoma has been greatly encouraged andgrown since the 1940’s creating a highly dependent recreation andtourism economy on the health and condition of the federal lake.

Over six million people travel locally and from all over the nation toenjoy the beauty and outdoor recreation provided by Lake Texoma anddedicated federal, state and local areas.

Lake Texoma ranks among the top Corps of Engineers lake projectsnationwide, with visitors spending over 90 million hours at the lake.

Their recreational activities contribute greatly to the economy of theentire region and to the benefit of local and regional businesses, citiesand individuals.

Lake Texoma is truly a major economic engine and can be significantlyimproved with proactive support of the Texas and OklahomaCongressional Delegations, Federal officials, State Legislators/officials,area businesses , officials and organizations.

Lake Texoma has billions of dollars of infrastructure, wildlife andfisheries already in place, hundreds of millions of economic benefitdollars from annual recreational activities and several million of dollarsof proposed and planned developments.

Over $30 million is spent annually for angling alone at Lake Texoma. 9

Lake Texoma – An EconomicEngine

According to Oklahoma and Texas State Tourism and Travel reports, thetotal Lake Texoma economic engine spending for surroundingOklahoma (Marshall, Love, Johnston and Bryan) and Texas (Grayson,Cooke) Counties in 2010 resulted in; 2,940 Travel Related Jobs $8 million for Travel Related State Tax Receipts $18 million for Travel Related Local Tax Receipts

$560 thousand for 2012 Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes to bordercounties for 227,545 acres of federal land.

Several millions federal and state taxes and fees are paid for auto andboat fuel and numerous other outdoor recreation products and services.

Several millions/yr. for Lake Texoma federal concessions, access, landleases, hydropower, water supply, etc. paid to U.S. Treasury and agencies.

Several millions/yr. property tax paid by Lake Texoma businesses andresidences for billions of dollars of investment and assets that dependon Lake Texoma federal/state/local authorities for asset protection.

The total estimated annual revenue produced by Lake Texoma has beenestimated at over $600 million.

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Tourism and Recreation EconomicEngine

The Corps of Engineers reports 6 million average Lake Texomavisitors per year.

We estimate 1 million additional visitors per year to private lakearea facilities or a total of 7 million visitors per year.

If each visitor averages spending only $100 dollars per trip thatwould total over $600 million per year from Lake Texoma relatedrevenue generated for the region. We know that most visitorsspend considerably more.

The Lake Texoma boating industry and assets are valued at over$500 million.

There are 22 Lake Texoma marinas/resorts that provide facilitiesfor tourists, weekend and local residents.

The 22 marinas/resorts provide 6,364 wet boat slips with over1,100 available for immediate rental.

The private wet boat slips have grown more rapidly to over 1,500which represent 27% of the total wet slips available on LakeTexoma.

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Lake Texoma Economic Engine -Social Benefits - 2010

Lake Facilities 91 recreation areas

142 picnic sites

2,176 camping sites

19 playgrounds

14 swimming areas

124 trail miles

8 fishing docks

65 boat ramps

22 marinas /resorts

6,364 marina slips (over 1,100vacant), 1,500 + private wet boatslips (27% of total andincreasing)

Source: Corps of Engineers

Annual Visits (persontrips) 6,000,000 plus private facilities

total

2,325,241 fishermen

1,723,884 sightseers

1,037,869 boaters

835,179 swimmers

584,661 picnickers

287,883 water skiers

92,897 campers

77,088 hunters

589,325 others

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Boating Customers

Boater Incomes According to recent National Marine Manufacturers Association

reports there are 12 million registered boats and 75 million boatersnationwide with Florida, California, Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas(in order) ranking as the top boating states in the country.

The national median household income for boat owners falls between$50K and $75K.

75% of all boat owners have a household income of less than $100,000.

1,037,869 boaters and 2,325,241 fishermen visit Lake Texoma each year.

That is a substantial part of the of the 6 million plus Lake Texomavisitors, tourism and recreation demand as well as revenue generatedfor regional businesses, jobs and federal, state and local governments.

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Lake Texoma Economic Engine Social Benefits in Perspective

By providing opportunities for active recreation, Lake Texoma helpscombat one of the most significant of the nation's health problems:lack of physical activity.

Recreational programs and activities on and near the lake also helpstrengthen family ties and friendships; provide opportunities forchildren to develop personal skills, social values, and self-esteem;and increase water safety.

Adults and children need a balanced exposure of nature andtechnology to achieve a sense of well being.

We have a good remedy for Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD), good oldVitamin “O” Outdoor recreation.

It’s not sold in a bottle or plastic package. It’s just plain old naturaloutdoor fun!

The area quality of life is also highly attractive to new companies andretirees. 15

Lake Texoma Economic Engine – AreaFacilities and Attractions

Lake Area Facilities Lake Area Attractions

2 – Outstanding Casino/ Resortsas well as regional airports

4 - Large resort and residentialdevelopments

Oklahoma and Texas State Parks

Tishomingo and HagermanNational Wildlife Refuges

Fort Washita

Over 40 area golf courses

Lodging at resorts, hotels,penthouse suites, motels , 20 bedand breakfasts, and RV camping

Historical Native American andregional museums and sites

Many attractions, events ,entertainment venues, andactivities for family and friends

Convention and EntertainmentCenters with national andregional entertainers

Cities, towns and villages withantiques, arts and crafts

Shopping centers and boutiques

Elegant and informal dining

Festivals and parades

Amusement and fun parks

Rodeos, riding stables and trails16

Lake Texoma Economic Engine –Economic Benefits

6,000,000 + visits/yr. resulted in: Benefits in Perspective

$600 + million in visitor spendingsupported 2,940 jobs in the localareas surrounding the lake.

The Lake Texoma economicengine compares favorably withother very large industries in theNorth Texas and SouthernOklahoma areas in terms ofrevenue and employment levels.

Most federal, state and localgovernments, businesses andindividuals would competeaggressively to obtain and retainthis level of economicdevelopment and annualbenefits.

The money spent by visitors toLake Texoma on recreation andtourism expenses adds to thelocal and regional economies bysupporting jobs and generatingincome.

Visitor spending represents asizable component of theeconomy in many communitiesaround Lake Texoma.

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Lake Texoma Economic Engine –Environmental Benefits

Environmental Benefits Benefits in Perspective

191,459 land acres

88,000 water acres

580 shoreline miles

Fish, wildlife and a multitude ofwater and land based naturalresources.

9,000 environmental educationalcontacts

Recreation experiences increasemotivation to learn more aboutthe environment; understandingand awareness of environmentalissues; and sensitivity to theenvironment.

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Flood AND Drought Control isRequired for Lake Texoma Project

Purposes Decades old federal laws and existing Drought Level actions in Public Law (PL)

100-71 are very limited with advisories, notifications, daily/monthly generationlimits and voluntary controls by hydropower and water supply users affectinglake capacity reserves and elevations.

PL 100-71, enacted in 1987, does not provide adequate water conservationmeasures to support millions of dollars of existing, planned and futureeconomic development and tourism / recreation revenues on Lake Texoma.

Flood and effective natural/manmade Drought Controls are essential formodern river watersheds and reservoirs and both should be project purposes.

Many water reservoirs utilize drought management plans and waterconservation restrictions to conserve the available water supply in times ofdrought and emergency.

Lake Texoma REQUIRES an effective Drought Management andResponse Plan that includes strict language on water usage, to includespecific percentages of conservation pool capacity, lake surfaceelevations as well as water restriction stages.

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Lake Texoma Association ActionProposals to Provide Economic

Safeguards Amend PUBLIC LAW 100-71, JULY 11, 1987 or enact other federal

legislation to add Drought Control as a key Lake Texoma ProjectPurpose.

Support the LTA Petition on Change.org to change Public Law 100-71

The federal legislation should include effective drought management plans, water/hydropower conservation restrictions , and supply / demandpricing language to conserve scarce reservoir water reserves in times ofdrought and emergency.

LTA is proposing SWPA obtain hydropower from the main SWPA OK/AR/MOelectrical network for their Texas electric co-ops using an existing unusedSWPA 138 KV transmission line from the Denison Dam to grid network nodesin Oklahoma.

Power could be used during drought conditions when the several otherSWPA hydropower lakes have adequate capacity, and the Lake Texomawatershed is in serious drought conditions and very low Lake Texomasurface elevations exist.

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Lake Texoma Economic Engine andEcosystem Priorities

• Complete a comprehensive and in depth Master Plan(1978),Environmental Impact Statement (not updated since 1976), andShoreline Mgmt Plan (1996) for the total lake and federal lands.

• The federal, state and commercial tourism and recreationalfacilities around Lake Texoma need to be maintained andimproved to:

– Provide easy and affordable shoreline and water access, tourism andoutdoor recreational facilities for public enjoyment.

– Maintain and improve the economic engine for business andfederal, state and local tax revenue.

• Increased emphasis must be placed to significantly reduce thenegative effects of major floods, droughts, siltation and HarmfulAlga Blooms on Lake Texoma, the Red River and its tributaries.

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Lake Texoma Economic Engine andEcosystem Priorities

• The Lake Texoma fish, wildlife, other essential natural resourcesand economic engine must be maintained and protected.

– Ample stream flows must be maintained in all Red River Basinfeeder streams, the Red and Washita Rivers and water levels in LakeTexoma.

– Harmful Alga Blooms and excessive nutrients must be reducedfrom point and non-point sources and improved testing andadvisories implemented.

– Excessive water and chloride removal must be prevented fromoccurring on the Red River Basin and Lake Texoma that will damagethe economy and ecosystem including the lake’s $30 million dollar ayear fishery.

– Adequate funds must be provided to maintain and improve naturalresources.

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Lake Texoma Enables the public to enjoy the beautiful lake, natural

shoreline resources and its many outstanding tourist andoutdoor recreational facilities!

Lake Texoma’s Economic Engine is focused onRecreation and Tourism and has a critical and significantimpact on the regional economy, jobs, and the quality oflife of Southern Oklahoma and North Texas.

We need to work together to continually improvethese very important benefits and return oninvestments.

Go to www.laketexomaonline.com the Lake TexomaAssociation web site for more information.

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