REI, OIA, NSSF and a wide range of other industry groups hailed the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).
The bill, passed by a vote of 310-107, approves $900 million in annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the nearly $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands.
“Today’s historic vote is the culmination of years of hard work by OIA and many businesses and organizations coming together to protect and expand access to America’s outdoors,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA. “This legislation has the added benefits of providing local communities a much-needed economic boost; creating thousands of jobs; and opening up access to parks, trails and waterways across the country.”
“The historic and bipartisan passage of the Great American Outdoors Act highlights the power of the outdoors to unite our country. As a nation, we need to adopt bold policies that provide recreation opportunities for those that lack them, conserve more lands and waters to meet growing demand and protect and strengthen the lands and waters that are already managed by federal agencies,” said Eric Artz, REI Co-op president and CEO. “The Great American Outdoors Act is historic legislation that will accomplish these goalsl, while connecting more people to outdoor recreation by creating more quality opportunities close to home. This legislation makes a strong commitment to increased recreation access, bridges our political divides and supports the economy.”
OIA noted that the bill received bipartisan support from members of Congress, stakeholders and former elected officials as it made its way through Congress. Specifically, it was sponsored by Representative Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., and cosponsored by more than 210 members of the House. GAOA also received the support of the past six former U.S. secretaries of the Interior, including Ryan Zinke and Sally Jewell.
“The outdoor recreation industry is ready to usher in the next golden age of the outdoor experiences after the House passed, in bipartisan fashion, the Great American Outdoors Act,” said Jessica Wahl, executive director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “GAOA is a major 21st century achievement and a reminder that when all sides work together, we can accomplish great things for the outdoors and the nation. We applaud House leaders— particularly Speaker Pelosi, Representatives Cunningham and Simpson, among many others — for helping to get this done. We urge President Trump to sign this bill into law as soon as possible so the outdoor recreation sector can help drive economic recovery in communities across the country and all Americans can connect with outdoor experiences that improve health and quality of life.”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) described the bill as a “leap forward” to delivering on the promise of sustained wildlife conservation, public land hunting and recreational shooting for current and future generations of outdoorsmen and women.
“This will be a great example of a promise kept by the Trump Administration for America’s sportsmen and women,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs and General Counsel. “Secretary David Bernhardt and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith recognize that our nation’s public lands belong to all Americans and the Trump Administration delivered on the guarantee that those lands and waters are accessible to America’s conservation-minded hunters and recreational target shooters. Those men and women are the greatest stewards of our natural resources and this initiative to expand and open new opportunities will nurture the next generation to enjoy and preserve our national outdoor heritage.”
“Whether you’re an avid conservationist, an outdoor recreation enthusiast, or both, there’s ample reason to appreciate the Great American Outdoors Act,” said CEO Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, the nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s habitats. “If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that America has some of the best and most vibrant natural scenery you can find anywhere in the world, particularly on our public lands. This bill will help us keep it that way. By addressing the maintenance backlog and fully funding the LWCF, Congress is ensuring these opportunities are available for future generations to enjoy while strengthening our outdoor economy for years to come.”
