Trip Report: Meeting with Congressman Kevin Kiley to Advocate for Winter Recreation

Since he was elected in 2022, Congressman Kevin Kiley (CA-03) and our Outdoor Alliance California team have been meeting to advance policies on behalf of the human-powered outdoor recreation community.

Winter outdoor recreation plays a pivotal role in California’s 3rd district, which is home to world class resorts such as Palisades Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain in the Eastern Sierra, and the jagged peaks of backcountry skiing, split boarding, snow play, and snowshoeing on the Plumas National Forest.

Last week, Outdoor Alliance California and Tahoe Backcountry Alliance convened a group of backcountry skiers and split boarders, business owners, local elected officials, congressional staff members, nonprofits, community members, and federal land managers on the west end of the iconic Donner Lake in Truckee to discuss winter outdoor recreation issues.

The field event location highlighted winter outdoor recreation access at Donner Lake for multi-use recreation enthusiast such as backcountry skiers and split boarders, over the snow vehicles, snow play, and snowshoers visiting the region. The meeting also featured the incredible partnership among Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Truckee Donner Parks & Recreation District, Town of Truckee, and Visit Truckee Tahoe. Together, these groups provide snow removal at Donner Lake to provide parking and winter education signage for visitors.

Anthony Cupaiuolo of Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, said, “The winter outdoor recreation field event with Congressman Kiley was an incredible opportunity to highlight the importance of partnership, collaboration, and prioritizing outdoor recreation investment on our district’s public lands and waters. We look forward to working with these partners and the Congressman on sustainable winter outdoor recreation projects in the region.”

At the winter outdoor recreation field event, more then twenty leaders in the community came together to discuss the importance winter outdoor recreation in the region and the positive ripple effect of having public lands and waters champions from local grassroots organizations like Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, local elected officials, to members of congress and staff. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration at every level of government, prioritizing investments for land management planning, capacity building for local stewardship groups, and alignment on policy priorities for outdoor recreation.

“Outdoor Alliance California, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance and Visit Truckee Tahoe are key partners in advocating for winter outdoor recreation in the region. The town is grateful for partners that advance our initiatives of preserving the landscape, bolstering the health and wellness of the community, and increasing equitable access to sustainable outdoor recreation within the region’s vast public lands and waters,” said Mayor Dave Polivy, Town of Truckee.

Congressman Kiley said, “Thank you to the Outdoor Alliance, along with Truckee Mayor Dave Polivy and Nevada County Supervisor Hardy Bullock, for inviting me last week to discuss the importance of winter recreation and preserving public lands. I appreciate the continued partnership in ensuring access to the beautiful public spaces and recreational opportunities that are so vital to the character of our region.”

Congressman Kiley and his staff have shown a strong commitment to outdoor recreation, and it extends beyond legislative advocacy. His office actively engages with local communities, organizing town hall meetings, and participating in outdoor recreation field events to understand the specific needs and concerns of the district. Outdoor Alliance California works to secure bipartisan efforts to prioritize rural communities, conserve public lands and waters, mitigate climate change, and ensure that Californians and visitors have a safe and welcoming experience in outdoors.