WASHINGTON D.C.—The National Audubon Society, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the United States Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement today in support of the Great American Outdoors Act:
“Now is the right time for our nation to invest in the restoration and protection of our national parks and public lands for the benefit of our environment, our economy, and the hundreds of millions of visitors who explore these areas each year.
“In addition to preserving recreation access to irreplaceable lands, the act’s permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund would support projects that build resilience, reduce risk from future disasters, and ensure better stormwater management. With many Americans having spent more time closer to home over the past several months, the benefit of modern, resilient open space infrastructure is even more apparent.
“The Great American Outdoors Act would also address critical repair needs within our national parks and other public lands, helping to ensure visitor access, recreation, and the preservation of our nation’s history.
“This bipartisan legislation would create jobs and help sustain a recreation industry that, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, annually contributes $778 billion in national economic output and generates 5.2 million American jobs. By supporting the restoration of crumbling roads, deteriorating buildings, historic structures, outdated utility systems, and other critical infrastructure, the Great American Outdoors Act is an important way to stimulate the economy while improving our quality of life.
“We applaud Senators Cory Gardner, Joe Manchin, Steve Daines, and Mark Warner for their leadership on this bill, and we look forward to engaging with the Administration and the leadership of the House of Representatives to ensure its passage and implementation.”
