Scenic America celebrates the introduction of the America the Beautiful Act, a landmark piece of legislation extending the highly successful Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and its National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) for eight additional years. This critical extension, announced and introduced to the Senate at the end of November by Senators Daines (R-MT), King (I-ME), Warner (D-VA) and Cramer (R-ND), reaffirms the nation’s commitment to protecting and restoring its public lands, national parks, and cultural heritage sites while supporting local economies and creating thousands of jobs.

Since its founding, Scenic America has championed legislative efforts that protect and enhance the country’s scenic beauty. In 2020, we celebrated a legislative victory when the GAOA was signed into law, ensuring permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and creating the LRF to address deferred maintenance needs in national parks and public lands. This historic investment began a new era of conservation, enabling over 1,500 maintenance projects and reducing billions in repair backlogs.

“The Great American Outdoors Act was a monumental step forward in preserving our nation’s scenic beauty and addressing the long-standing maintenance backlogs in our public lands,” said Scenic America President Mark Falzone. “However, the work is far from complete. The introduction of the America the Beautiful Act is critical to continue this progress, ensuring that our scenic landscapes and cultural sites are protected and accessible for future generations. This extension not only safeguards our environmental heritage but also bolsters local economies and reinforces our commitment to conservation.”

The America the Beautiful Act builds on that success, extending LRF funding through 2033 at $2 billion annually—a $100 million increase over the original GAOA—bringing the total investment to $16 billion. This legislation ensures that even more critical projects, from trail restoration to drinking water system repairs, can be completed across the country.

The America the Beautiful Act aligns directly with Scenic America’s mission of preserving and enhancing the country’s scenic, cultural, and historic resources. Its key provisions include:

• Infrastructure Improvements: Addressing maintenance backlogs in parks, forests, refuges, and Tribal schools.
• Enhanced Community Engagement: Prioritizing projects with a 15% funding match from community stakeholders.
• Increased Accountability: Requiring regular project updates and progress reports to Congress.
• Stronger Partnerships: Encouraging public and private donations to support ongoing maintenance projects.

Examples of funded initiatives include campground restorations at Yosemite and Zion National Parks, roof repairs at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, and trail repairs along the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

America’s public lands are not just destinations; they are living symbols of the country’s shared history and future. The continued investment promised by the America the Beautiful Act ensures that these national treasures are protected and maintained for future generations. It also sustains a vital economic engine, supporting an estimated 20,000 jobs annually and generating over $10 billion in economic activity.

As the bill advances, Scenic America urges lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to co-sponsor and pass this essential legislation. We invite our supporters to join us in advocating for the preservation of America’s unparalleled scenic beauty and access to our iconic public lands by contacting their representatives today. Together, we can secure a future where every American can experience the breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and cultural landmarks that define our nation.