Today, 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.
See additional quotes from ORR member organizations:
“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.”
“American Prairie enthusiastically supports the America the Beautiful Act, which ensures continued investment in the stewardship of our nation’s public lands. Reauthorizing and strengthening the Legacy Restoration Fund is essential to our goals of preserving natural habitat, supporting rural economies, and expanding access to the outdoors. We commend the bipartisan leadership behind this bill and look forward to its positive impact on America’s landscapes and communities.” Alison Fox, CEO, American Prairie
“It is encouraging to see our nation’s policymakers coming together and prioritizing legislation that ensures both local economies and communities alike can reap the benefits of outdoor recreation activities like boating and fishing,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and chief executive officer of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “The America the Beautiful Act would continue the momentum from the past few years of protecting and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities across the country, while maintaining key investments in recreation infrastructure.”
America’s public lands fuel RV travel, drawing millions to campgrounds and national parks. The America the Beautiful Act invests in the roads, trails, and facilities that sustain this vital tourism economy. RV dealers nationwide urge Congress to pass this bipartisan bill to enhance access and preserve these destinations for future generations. Phil Ingrassia, President, RVDA
“The RV Industry Association applauds the introduction of the America the Beautiful Act and thanks Senators Daines, King, Warner, and Cramer for championing this legislation,” says RV Industry Association President and CEO Craig Kirby. “This extended investment in our public lands is important, as it would allow RVers and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts to continue to access safe, maintained, and enhanced outdoor spaces. We urge Congress to pass this legislation so that the great outdoors can be cherished for generations to come.”
“By establishing the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), the Great American Outdoors Act made essential investments in our public lands, addressing the maintenance backlog to repair the roads and trails that anglers rely on to access their favorite fishing holes,” said Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). “By reauthorizing the LRF, the America the Beautiful Act will continue this critical work, supporting the anglers, businesses and communities that depend on access to national parks and public lands. ASA thanks Senators Daines, King, Cramer and Warner for their leadership of this significant legislation and looks forward to working with the Senators and Congress to ensure its passage.”
“The National Forest Recreation Association strongly supports the ‘America the Beautiful Act’ which will continue the bipartisan commitment to investing in our federal lands which contribute so much to our national economy,” said Marily Reese, Executive Director of NFRA. “The outdoor recreation industry is a vital part of our country’s rural as well as overall economy and a great example of services which are 100% Made In America. NFRA greatly appreciates the leadership of Senator Daines, Senator King, Senator Cramer and Senator Warner in this effort.”
America Outdoors proudly supports the “America the Beautiful Act,” introduced by Senators Steve Daines, Angus King, Kevin Cramer, and Mark Warner. This vital legislation extends and strengthens the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund—ensuring critical investments in the maintenance and improvement of public lands the outfitting and guiding industry depends on. By prioritizing infrastructure, encouraging public-private partnerships, and supporting long-term stewardship, this bill helps sustain local and rural economies and enhances access to high-quality experiences in the great outdoors. We applaud Senators Daines, King, Cramer, and Warner for their bipartisan leadership and urge swift passage of this important legislation. Caryn Short, America Outdoors
The America the Beautiful Act builds on a track record of real success. The National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund has already helped create thousands of hands-on conservation jobs for young people across the country. At Conservation Legacy, we’ve seen how this investment strengthens our public lands while opening doors for the next generation to build careers. Reauthorizing this fund ensures continued impact, and we’re grateful to Senators Daines and King for their leadership. Amy Sovocool, President, Conservation Legacy
“The Corps Network, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, applauds Senators Daines and King for their efforts in reauthorizing the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF). The LRF has provided Corps with a greater ability to partner with the federal lands agencies on much needed deferred maintenance projects, including in our nation’s small and medium national parks, through collaboration with the National Park Service’s Maintenance Action Team (MAT) program. The partnership between Corps and the MAT program supports park units that have been particularly affected by budget reductions. This partnership also helps Corpsmembers, who are often participants in AmeriCorps, develop a sense of community, a strong work ethic, and the skills to be the next employees in the conservation field. We look forward to working with Senators Daines and King on the reauthorization of the LRF.” Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President & CEO, The Corps Network
ABOUT ORR
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation associations representing the more than 110,000 outdoor businesses in the recreation economy and the full spectrum of outdoor-related activities. The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Commerce shows that outdoor recreation generated $1.2 trillion in economic output (2.3% of GDP), 5 million jobs and comprises 3.1% of U.S. employees.
