The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrated the bipartisan introduction of the America the Beautiful Act by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mark Warner (D-VA). The legislation reauthorizes and strengthens the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), originally established through the Great American Outdoors Act, ensuring continued investments in public lands infrastructure, outdoor access, and the outdoor recreation economy.
“The reintroduction of this critical legislation by Senators Daines, King, Cramer, and Warner comes at a pivotal moment for public lands and outdoor recreation in America. Reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund ensures we continue to invest in the health of our public lands and waters, support rural economies, and provide safe, accessible experiences for the millions who rely on the outdoors for their livelihoods and well-being. Since the original Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law during the last Trump Administration, these investments have helped fuel the growth of the outdoor recreation economy which generates $1.2 trillion in economic output and supports over 5 million American jobs. ORR applauds this leadership and stands ready to work with Congress to secure long-term, bipartisan support for our nation’s outdoor infrastructure.” — Jessica Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
The America the Beautiful Act builds on the legacy of the Great American Outdoors Act by increasing LRF funding to $2 billion annually through 2033, expanding project eligibility across all federal land management agencies, and streamlining implementation for deferred maintenance projects. The bill also emphasizes stakeholder collaboration and transparency by requiring a two-year rolling list of projects, encouraging public-private partnerships, and mandating increased reporting to Congress.
As one of the few truly bipartisan issues in Washington, investing in outdoor infrastructure unites communities across the political spectrum and supports nearly every American—whether through jobs, small businesses, access to nature, or improved quality of life. It is especially vital to the strength of rural economies and the well-being of gateway communities that rely on healthy public lands.
ORR urges Congress to swiftly pass the America the Beautiful Act and reaffirm our nation’s commitment to conservation, outdoor recreation, and the economic and cultural vitality of public lands.
“According to the 2024 OIA Participation Trends Report, 181 million Americans – a record number – are visiting our public lands each year, and we have a duty to the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts to ensure we leave these places better than we found them,” said Kent Ebersole, President of Outdoor Industry Association. “OIA and its members applaud this bipartisan effort by Senators King, Daines, Cramer, and Warner to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and take care of the infrastructure backlog across our public lands. There is no better return on investment than protecting these places that Americans have treasured for generations.”