New Bill Would Give Billions to Public Lands

In a time where the future of public lands sparks heated political debate, poll after poll shows one thing: Americans love national parks and public lands, and want them funded. And a bipartisan bill recently introduced in Congress would do just that. The Great American Outdoors Act 250 would provide $1.9 billion annually to public lands over the next 5 years, marking a major investment.

The Bill

This bill is a reauthorization and extension of the original Great American Outdoors Act (GAO), passed in 2020. Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced it into the House on June 10.

One of the bill’s hallmarks is establishing the American Legacy Restoration Fund, which would provide money for deferred maintenance projects at National Park Service (NPS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites. The money would go toward repairing buildings, improving water systems, and upgrading campgrounds. It’s estimated that the current backlog at NPS sites alone totals a value of $23 billion.

Other provisions in the bill include:

• Codifying the higher entrance fee that non-residents pay to enter NPS sites. The Trump Administration instituted the $100-per-person additional fee in July 2025. An annual pass for foreign visitors costs $250.
• Allow the secretaries of departments to accept donations to fund the GAO Act.
• Encourages secretaries to “enter into public-private partnerships with any governmental, no profit, or private entity” to carry out deferred maintenance projects.
• Agencies like the BLM, NPS, and U.S. Forest Service must complete two projects related to outdoor recreation or hunting or fishing in each administrative region per year.

Former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke framed the bill as an extension of his prior work. “The Great American Outdoors Act was one of the crowning achievements of President Trump’s first administration and proved that conservation and economic growth can go hand in hand,” Zinke said in a press release. 

“As Secretary of the Interior, I worked alongside President Trump to help build the foundation for this historic investment in our parks and public lands … GAOA 250 builds on that proven success and ensures these investments continue as America celebrates its 250th birthday.”

Huffman praised the bipartisan nature of the bill. “As the nation turns 250, we have a chance to renew a promise behind what’s been called America’s best idea: that our greatest landscapes belong to every one of us. The Great American Outdoors Act 250 builds on a promise we made together, on a bipartisan basis, to keep our parks open and well cared for,” he said in a press release.

Reactions

Many public lands and conservation nonprofits praised the measure. Ducks Unlimited, a wetlands conservation group, said it was a major win for outdoors enthusiasts. “No one contributes more to the stewardship of America’s public lands than hunters and anglers — what better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than by once again recognizing their impact?” CEO Adam Putnam explained in a press release.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) emphasized how important it is to address the deferred maintenance backlog. “Tackling our national parks’ maintenance backlog has never been more urgent. As visitation continues to surge, so do repair needs. Trails, bridges, roads, campgrounds, visitor centers and the systems that keep parks running have long been falling into disrepair,” Tiernan Sittenfeld, president and CEO of NPCA, said in a press release.

NPCA did take issue with the bill extending the higher fees paid by foreign visitors. “National parks should be welcoming and accessible to all visitors. Higher fees are not a substitute for the robust federal funding needed to support park operations and maintenance,” the organization said.

Other supporting organizations include: America Outdoors Association, American Battlefield Trust, American Forest Resource Council, American Hiking Society, The Conservation Fund, The Great Outdoors Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and more. The bill is still in early stages and will first have committee hearings in the House Committee on Natural Resources.