For the past five years, the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) has helped address one of the biggest challenges facing America's public lands: a growing backlog of maintenance projects on parks and other public lands that Americans depend on for outdoor recreation experiences.

Created through the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, the LRF has funded deferred maintenance—critical improvements to trails, campgrounds, bridges, roads, trailheads, visitor facilities, and other infrastructure that agencies are not able to address through regular funding sources. These investments help keep public lands safe, accessible, and enjoyable for the millions of people who visit them every year.

"The Legacy Restoration Fund is one of the best examples of what the bipartisan outdoor community can accomplish," said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. "For five years, the fund has helped repair and improve public lands infrastructure that millions of Americans rely on. Public lands are seeing record use, and maintaining access requires continued investment. Extending the Legacy Restoration Fund is a practical, bipartisan way to take care of outdoor spaces and protect them for future generations."

The need for this work has only grown. Public lands are seeing record recreation use, while agencies continue to face an estimated $41 billion deferred maintenance backlog. Extending the Legacy Restoration Fund is a huge priority for the outdoor community, and for decision makers who care about the outdoors. Earlier this year, lawmakers expressed a goal of passing an extension of the fund by the Fourth of July and America’s 250th anniversary.

In the Senate, Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Angus King (I-ME) have led the bipartisan effort to extend LRF through the America the Beautiful Act. Their legislation—which enjoys support from more than 60 bipartisan cosponsors—would extend the Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, allowing land management agencies to keep tackling long-overdue maintenance projects on public lands.

Now the effort is gaining momentum in the House. This week, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Jared Huffman introduced separate bipartisan legislation to extend the LRF called the Great American Outdoors Act 250 (GAOA 250). Their bill is scheduled for a committee field hearing in Hot Springs, Arkansas this Friday—a significant step forward and an encouraging sign that lawmakers from both parties recognize the importance of maintaining and improving the public lands infrastructure that Americans rely on.

Outdoor Alliance is pleased to see progress on extending LRF and commends Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman for their work to advance a strong bipartisan bill. While we have some questions and concerns with certain sections of the draft bill, we are continuing to work with lawmakers on those changes, and feel encouraged to see bipartisan, bicameral support for extending the Legacy Restoration Fund.

Congress has a real opportunity to build on a bipartisan success story. Americans who want to see our trails, campgrounds, rivers, climbing areas, forests, and public lands protected and well-maintained should reach out to lawmakers and encourage them to move forward with renewing the Legacy Restoration Fund.

Congress Is Moving to Extend the Legacy Restoration Fund