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Congressman Cohen Votes to Pass Great American Outdoors Act

July 22, 2020

Washington – Today, Congressman Steve Cohen voted to pass H.R. 1957, the Great American Outdoors Act, to provide permanent, full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and establish the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. This legislation, which passed the Senate last month, builds on the progress made by last year's John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act. The Great American Outdoors Act will now go to the President's desk for signature

"Our public lands, recreational areas and national parks are a treasure that must be preserved," said Congressman Cohen. "The Great American Outdoors Act delivers the funding needed to protect our wildlife and wild lands for future generations. I am proud to join my colleagues to pass this vital legislation to create good-paying jobs, protect our precious natural landscapes and make sure that all Americans can access the great outdoors."

The Great American Outdoors Act establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, providing federal land management agencies with critical resources to address the $22 billion deferred maintenance backlog on our public lands, and ensures that the $900 million permanently authorized by Congress last year funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund at the levels that were promised. The LWCF is America's most successful conservation program and this legislation will make sure that it has the resources to:

  • Support enhanced park and recreational access for communities throughout the country;
  • Address environmental injustice by creating green spaces near low-income communities and communities of color across the country by preserving our natural heritage in an equitable manner;
  • Strengthen the recreation economy, which is one of the fastest growing economic sectors and a key driver of jobs across the country; and
  • Implement recommendations from the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis' Solving the Climate Crisis action plan to support the goal of protecting at least 30 percent of all U.S. lands and ocean areas by 2030 while helping fragile ecosystems, wildlife populations and communities become more resilient to the impacts of the climate crisis.
Issues:Environment