In our deeply-divided country, it’s rare for Congress to come together. One bill that put a momentary pause on the gridlock is the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), the bipartisan conservation bill heading to President Donald J. Trump’s desk.
Last month, the Senate passed their version by a 73-25 vote. The House of Representatives, after much delay, overwhelmingly passed it by a 310-107 vote on Wednesday. President Trump is expected to sign it by August 1, 2020.
There are two key takeaways from the GAOA: it will permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) with $900 million annually in full funding and will create the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
The former will do the following:
“For FY2021-FY2025, there shall be deposited into the fund an amount equal to 50 percent of all federal revenues from the development of oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy on federal lands and waters. Deposited amounts must not exceed $1.9 billion for any fiscal year.”
The latter fund will address the $20 billion in deferred maintenance project backlog on federal lands under the purviews of the National Park Service (which boasts a $12 billion backlog), Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service and Bureau of Indian Education.
The bill is also expected to create about 100,000 new jobs in related industries.