| On May 21, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate would take up the Great American Outdoors Act (S.3422) when it returns in June. At a time when the nation is reeling from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 crisis, this bipartisan legislation can put Americans back to work, strengthen our natural heritage, restore our public lands, and boost our $887 billion outdoor recreation economy. This legislation, with the support of 59 senators, would provide funding to address deferred maintenance at our National Parks and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The national park system has a deferred maintenance backlog of $11.9 billion that is eroding the visitor experience and threatening the very resources that the National Park Service (NPS) was created to protect. The NPS has more than 76,000 assets to maintain including roads, trails, and buildings. Many of them are aging and in great disrepair. This webinar will provide an overview of the Great American Outdoors Act, how it will be implemented, why it matters, and shifting views about parks and the outdoors in light of the pandemic. Register HERE |
