Great American Outdoors Act Status

Land and Water Conservation Fund access road improvments (photo from the Department of the Interior)

compiled from several sources

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was rea by Congress in 2020 and was fully funded for five years. That means it's up for renewal this year.

The Act provideed roughly $1.9 billion a year for five years to address deferred maintenance in national parks and public lands. It guaranteed full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) (established in 1965), the income of which comes from fees and royalties paid to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement by oil and gas drilling offshore in federal water. The money must be used for the protection of public land and recreation. In 2020, it was funded for $900 million, the highest level ever.

Lawmakers appear supportive, and the President has indicated he will sign it, but its chances of passage depend on which news sources you read. The Act has always been a bipartisan coalition to benefit the American People. Because of the 250th Anniversary of the country, this year's bill is being called the "Great American Outdoors Act 250."

One of the priorities of the fund is to repair critical infrastructure which has been neglected due to deferred maintenance. West Michigan recipients of LWCF money in 2025 were:
• Kalamazoo County, $500,000 for improvements at Milham Park.
• Berrien County; Eaton Park restroom and park improvements - $359,000
• Kent County; East Grand Rapids: Waterfront Park improvement project (Phase 2) - $500,000
• Van Buren Count; Lawrence Village Park Playground improvements - $301,200

Urge your federal lawmakers to support the Great American Outdoors Act 250.

See Department of the Interior, GAOA


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