Support America the Beautiful Act Today

graphic from American Hiking Society

from the American Hiking Society

BREAKING NEWS and ACTION ALERT!

With the support of 63 million hikers across the country, American Hiking Society applauds the unanimous passage of the America the Beautiful Act (S.1547) by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The leadership of Sen, Daines, Sen. King, Ranking Member Heinrich, and Chairman Lee Chairman to come together in a bipartisan way exemplifies how public lands and the outdoors unify us all.

The original Great America Outdoors Act has been a massive success, generating $4.5 billion in economic impact and restoring 1,500 critical projects. The America the Beautiful Act will expand on that victory — upgrading visitor recreation experiences, funding projects in every corner of the country, and driving economic growth in communities nationwide.

There is no better way to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary this year than by investing in the public lands that unite us all.

TAKE ACTION! Hikers need to make their voice heard by sending a message to urge the Senate and House of Representatives to get this to the President's desk and signed into law by July 4.”

— Tyler Ray, Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, American Hiking Society

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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 reauthorized 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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