Some Good News From Washington DC: Great American Outdoors Act Poised to Move Through Congress

While it may seem like a distant priority in light of a global health crisis, we have received word that one of the Senate’s top goals this spring is passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. This bipartisan piece of legislation would direct billions of dollars in funding towards America’s public lands and creates a targeted solution to maintain and enhance our National Parks and public lands in the face of mounting visitor use and maintenance backlogs.

As of March 19, 2020, there are 59 Senators cosponsoring the bill, including Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer. The Great American Outdoor Act (S. 3422), introduced by Senators Gardner (R-CO), Manchin (D-WV), Daines (R-MT) and Warner (D-VA), would ensure our parks and irreplaceable lands are protected for decades to come. Specifically, it would:

Direct non-taxpayer funds already being deposited in the Land and Water Conservation Fund – including $900 million in annual offshore energy receipts that routinely have been diverted from the fund for decades – to be spent only and fully on their intended purpose.

Establish the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Fund, which would direct up to $9.5 billion in non-taxpayer monies (unobligated mineral receipts) over five years to address priority repairs in national parks and on other public lands.

You can join mountain bikers and outddoorists from around the country in letting Congress know these solutions are important to you. Our friends at Outdoor Alliance have written more about this and have some great tools for connecting with your legislators. Let Congress know that Oregonians are passionate about their public lands!