On August 4th, the president signed into law the Great American Outdoors Act. At a time when not many people agree on anything the act, with strong bipartisan support, passed the Senate 73 to 25 and the House 310 to 107.
The act creates the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and provides about $10 billion over five years for maintenance, upgrades and repairs in the national parks, forests, wildlife preserves and other projects. In addition, the Great American Outdoors Act permanently reauthorizes and provides $900 million a year in guaranteed funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
During the signing ceremony in the White House the president said, “we’re here today to celebrate the passage of truly landmark legislation that will preserve America’s majestic natural wonders, priceless historic treasures — and that’s exactly what they are — grand national monuments, and glorious national parks. This is a very big deal.”
A very big deal, indeed.
