On May 1, 2025, U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the America the Beautiful Act, a bipartisan bill that builds on the success of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act by strengthening and reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund to national parks and public lands. As America’s national parks see record-breaking numbers of visitors from across the globe, the Legacy Restoration Fund would provide $16 billion to address critical repair needs and deferred maintenance such as crumbling roads, decaying buildings, and outdated water systems.
To date, the Great American Outdoors Act has successfully addressed billions of dollars in deferred maintenance in national parks and public lands in all fifty states. But the challenge remains to address the full backlog of much-needed repairs to improve visitor safety and overall accessibility and enjoyment of our parks. The extension of the Legacy Restoration Fund is projected to support an additional 20,000 jobs annually and contribute $10 billion to local economies over the next five years on top of the robust economic benefits of visitor tourism. We at EEN applaud this bipartisan effort that will allow more people to personally encounter the majesty of God’s creation while supporting our nation’s parks and public lands, family-sustaining careers, and economic growth.
In response to the bill’s introduction, Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, EEN’s President and CEO, released the following statement:
"Millions of families and visitors come to our national parks and public lands each year to experience the beauty of God’s creation firsthand. The restoration and repair of hundreds of campsites, trails, roads, bridges, and other facilities made possible by the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund has made experiencing these natural and cultural treasures more accessible and enjoyable for all. The Evangelical Environmental Network thanks Senators Daines (R-MT) and King (I-ME) for their leadership on the America the Beautiful Act to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund. This is a long-term investment that will allow American families and visitors alike to experience the majestic wonder of our national parks and public lands for generations to come."
