The bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act became law when it was signed by President Trump on Tuesday.
The Great American Outdoors Act ensures permanent funding of the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has helped provide public access to federally managed lands and waterways for 50 years. The new law also ensures that $15 million annually is dedicated to expanding public access to outdoor recreation.
Further, the legislation establishes a National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to address the estimated $22 billion maintenance backlog in our national parks and public lands. The fund will provide $9.5 billion over five years to the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to improve trails, campgrounds, roads, visitor centers and other infrastructure.
The ceremony also included the signing of a new proclamation establishing August 5 as “Great American Outdoors Day,” when all Dept. of Interior fees will be waived.