In a bipartisan effort to safeguard and improve America’s public lands, Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine), joined by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), have introduced the “America the Beautiful Act.” This landmark legislation seeks to reauthorize and enhance the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), boosting funding and ensuring more efficient management of public lands.
Senator Daines, a long-time advocate for national parks and conservation, highlighted the importance of preserving public lands for future generations.
“Our country is home to incredible national parks and public lands—that’s what makes us America the Beautiful,” said Daines. “This legislation is a significant step forward in addressing the long-overdue maintenance backlog on our public lands and will help us keep Montana the Last Best Place.”
The “America the Beautiful Act” builds on the momentum of the Great American Outdoors Act introduced by Daines in 2020, which authorized the LRF to tackle maintenance backlogs on national parks and public lands. While the original fund was set for five years, this new bill extends the authorization for eight more years, through 2033, and increases annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion.
The legislation has garnered praise from both sides of the aisle. Senator King emphasized the importance of maintaining public lands for the millions of visitors who flock to national parks each year.
“Deferred repairs on aging infrastructure like roads and trails can become unsafe for visitors and diminish the quality of our public lands,” said King. “This bipartisan bill addresses these backlogs, reauthorizes the historic Legacy Restoration Fund, and reaffirms that stewardship of our natural treasures is not a partisan issue.”
Senators Cramer and Warner echoed these sentiments, highlighting the impact of the LRF on local communities and tourism economies. Warner called the act a “no-brainer” investment in natural resources, while Cramer pointed to the tangible results already seen in North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The “America the Beautiful Act” introduces several enhancements to the LRF, including:
- Increased Funding: Annual funding will rise to $2 billion.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Projects with at least 15% matching funds will be prioritized.
- Planning Efficiency: Agencies must maintain a two-year project list and can proceed with next year’s projects under a Continuing Resolution.
- Increased Access: All lands administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service will be eligible for funding.
- Public Engagement: Agencies will run awareness campaigns to encourage public donations.
- Accountability: Agencies must assess unneeded infrastructure and provide Congress with detailed progress reports.
The legislation has garnered widespread backing from conservation and outdoor recreation groups, including the National Park Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
As Congress takes up the “America the Beautiful Act,” Daines and his colleagues are pushing to ensure that public lands remain accessible, safe, and well-maintained for generations to come. For Montanans and all Americans, the bill represents a commitment to preserving the nation’s natural heritage while addressing long-standing maintenance challenges.
By: Big Sky Headlines staff