Bipartisan legislation would invest nearly $2 billion annually to modernize and maintain America’s public lands 

This week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) 250, which would build on the success of the landmark Great American Outdoors Act signed into law by President Trump in 2020. The bill would invest $1.9 billion annually for five years in the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), a proven conservation investment that helps address long-standing infrastructure needs across America’s public lands while delivering meaningful benefits for wildlife habitat and hunting access.  

"Upland hunters and conservationists benefit when federal agencies have the resources needed to improve wildlife habitat, maintain and increase public access, and ensure future generations can experience our nation’s public lands,” said Andrew Schmidt, director of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever thank Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Great American Outdoors Act 250 to reauthorize and invest in the Legacy Restoration Fund, and we look forward to working with Congress to advance this critical legislation.” 

Since its creation in 2020, the Legacy Restoration Fund has provided critical resources to improve roads and trails, water infrastructure, visitor facilities, and habitat management capabilities on federal lands. Many of these projects have helped restore and enhance grasslands, forests, and other critical habitats that support pheasants, quail, pollinators, and countless other wildlife species. Reauthorization of LRF will ensure federal agencies can continue addressing deferred maintenance projects that support conservation outcomes and public access.