Great American Outdoors Act approved by Senate!

[maki2]

This bill, The Great American Outdoors Act just passed approval in the US Senate, next it goes to congress then onto the President. The president has already indicated he will sign off on it.  It is relevant and important to this community as it involves the places we spend time in for our nomadic lifestyle. Perhaps it could even lead to some seasonal work camping jobs for some of the maintenance projects. It could help to reopen areas that were closed due to work needed. Of course it will help to keep other areas from becoming closed.

The Great American Outdoors Act establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to support deferred maintenance projects on federal lands.

For FY2021-FY2025, there shall be deposited into the fund an amount equal to 50% 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 fund must be used for priority deferred maintenance projects in specified systems that are administered by

• the National Park Service,
• the Forest Service,
• the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
• the Bureau of Land Management, and
• the Bureau of Indian Education.

The Government Accountability Office must report on the effect of the fund in reducing the backlog of priority deferred maintenance projects for the specified agencies.

 

[kygreg]

A great idea and self-funded.

 

[1shemp]

No politics.

 

[maki2]

These national lands belong to everyone, it is not "politics" to report on funding being approved for keeping those areas in good repair.

It is necessary that the funding be done by Congress, and is their designated duty to do so.

"It has taken years of bipartisan work to get this bill written and approved."  That is a quote form the leader of the bipartisan committee that involved 51 members of the Senate. All the political parties were involved.

Bipartisan means everyone working together to achieve goals such as this particular bill.

 

[crofter]

Great news!
-crofter

 

[Dingfelder]

Very minor amount. He was leading the charge to sell off public lands to private interests, the usual "swamp" type stuff he came in decrying. I'd like to hear more about whether he stopped that massacre of our cultural heritage before applauding the band-aid everyone can pat themselves on the back for.

 

[jacqueg]

All things considered, I'm grateful for anything we can get...