Help pass the Great American Outdoors Act in the House! The Great American Outdoors Act will provide critical funding to restore, maintain, build, and protect trails, parks and public lands. This package includes full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and an improved version of the Restore Our Parks Act, which funds the trail maintenance backlog for the National Park Service, plus the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management—two agencies vital for mountain biking.
The Senate passed the bill on June 17 and the House is planning to vote the week of July 20. This tool on the IMBA website lets you send a note to your House Representative to show your support for the bill. This is not just for mountain bike trails, but for all access and trails. It is set up to thank Representatives who have long supported the bill for their expected “yes” vote, and encourages Representatives who do not support the bill to get on board, particularly at a time when communities across the country are discovering the importance of the outdoors and need more trails close to home. Be sure to personalize your letter for greater impact! Vote Today
What is the Great American Outdoors Act?
According to the bill, The Great American Outdoors Act “establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to support deferred maintenance projects on federal lands.” The $1.9 billion in funds will be allocated toward the following areas:
- the National Park Service,
- the Forest Service,
- the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
- the Bureau of Land Management, and
- the Bureau of Indian Education
In addition, the bill will also make funding used for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanent. As for reporting on how the funds are being used, the President is required to report to Congress annually. Not only will the money be used for future projects, but the funds will also help alleviate nearly $12 billion in backlogged projects across the U.S.
