The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) recently lauded the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture’s proposed 2023 investment in critical deferred public lands maintenance projects. The departments will use funds to improve transportation and recreation infrastructure in national parks, national wildlife refuges and recreation areas, as well as Bureau of Indian Education schools.
“We have the best public lands, waters and outdoor businesses in the world right here in the United States, but if Americans can’t access them with sound roads, or if the campgrounds, marinas and trails are in disrepair or unsafe, then we are missing out on economic opportunity and undermining our American outdoor heritage,” ORR President Jessica Turner said. “The announcement of a $2.8 billion investment in public lands infrastructure and access is huge for the nation’s and local communities’ economies and a testimony to the years of work ORR, Congress and other outdoor recreation leaders put into passing the Great American Outdoors Act.”
The proposed allocations, authorized by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), will fund projects, grants and programs that support local economies and voluntary national conservation efforts in every U.S. state.
GAOA established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), authorizing up to $1.9 billion per year from fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025 to address deferred maintenance on public lands and at Native American schools. GAOA also provides permanent, full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million annually to secure public access and improve recreation opportunities on public lands; protect watersheds and wildlife and preserve ecosystem benefits for local communities.
“Millions of people each year enjoy our nation’s treasured public lands, which creates jobs, stimulates local economies, and connects the public to our great outdoors,” Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said. “Along with President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Great American Outdoors Act is making critical investments by funding much-needed repairs and improvements in communities nationwide.”
“We have already seen the incredible impact these investments have made toward providing equitable access to public lands and expanding our conservation efforts, all while bringing much-needed opportunity to rural communities around the country,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Every year, millions of visitors take advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities offered by our national forests and grasslands, and these continued investments help solidify uninterrupted access to these national treasures for our future generations.”
Funding will support over 18,700 jobs and generate $2 billion in local communities
The 63 LRF deferred maintenance bundled projects planned by the Interior Department and 96 LRF planned by USDA Forest Service will improve recreation facilities, water and utility infrastructure, schools and other historic structures. Other projects aim to increase visitor access by restoring and repairing roads, trails, bridges and parking areas.
In 2020, Interior bureaus estimate they hosted about 378 million visits to the national parks, national wildlife refuges and hatcheries, recreation areas, and Bureau of Reclamation sites.
