| When it comes to the beauty and greatness of our country’s national parks, it's easy to be captivated by the stunning and diverse landscapes, the proximity they allow us to wildlife, and the fun and relaxation they offer all visitors. However, maintaining and preserving these natural treasures, with their aging infrastructure, requires significant effort and resources. Today, August 4, marks the third anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). This landmark piece of legislation strengthened the multi-billion dollar outdoor recreation economy by permanently funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and by establishing the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF). The LWCF, established in 1964, uses offshore oil and gas revenues as its main source of funding but has also always been subject to the whims of the appropriations process. Despite unreliable funding, the LWCF has managed to protect millions of acres of land, and fund state and local park projects in almost every county in the country. It has been used to conserve natural areas and recreational public access and to support America’s national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, historic sites, local community projects, and other outdoor spaces and public works. In addition to permanently funding the LWCF, the legislation also directed a significant portion of the revenues generated from energy development on federal lands and waters toward the Legacy Restoration Fund. Specifically, a portion of the fees collected from activities like oil and gas development on public lands get directed towards addressing the maintenance backlog and repair needs within the National Park System and other public lands. Introduced by former Roosevelt Conservation Caucus member and then-Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), and by Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), the legislation gathered the support of more than 800 conservation groups, including ConservAmerica. It was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. Since being signed into law, billions of dollars have gone toward the maintenance requirements of our national parks. This includes the repair of deteriorating roads and aging structures. To date, numerous repair initiatives throughout the National Park System have been made possible by this legislation while also creating thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to local economies. Here are just a few examples of the many projects and success stories made possible by the Great American Outdoors Act, as compiled by our friends at the National Parks Conservation Association:
A new maintenance complex for Acadia National Park, Maine The restoration of historic Fort Wood on Liberty Island (Statue of Liberty), New York An update to the waterline and drainage systems to help prevent road and campsite flooding at Rocky National Park, Colorado An overhaul and modernization of campgrounds at Yosemite National Park, California The first rehab since 1972 of the wharf on Alcatraz Island, California The signing of this legislation was a milestone, exemplifying what can be achieved when conservation takes precedence over political divides. Our national parks and public lands are a gift to us all. As we look toward the reauthorization of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2025, we can only hope the spirit of conservation remains strong. ConservAmerica is a nonprofit organization that advocates for market-based solutions to conservation, environmental, and energy challenges. Visit us at ConservAmerica and follow us on Twitter @ConservAmerica and Facebook. CONTACT: [email protected]. |
