Press Release
Bipartisan Votes in Congress Advance Public Lands Conservation
June 25, 2026
DENVER – Western Energy Alliance welcomed a pair of unanimous, bipartisan votes in Congress to advance national parks and public lands conservation funding. Committees in both the House and the Senate approved bills to renew the historic Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), which directs $1.9 billion annually to improve campgrounds, trails, visitor centers, and vital infrastructure.
The LRF expired in October 2025 after the initial five-year authorization ran out, and now Congress is working to deliver a reauthorization bill by July 4th for President Trump to sign in celebration of America 250. Yesterday, the Great American Outdoors Act 250 was approved in U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. Last week, the America the Beautiful Act was approved in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The Alliance backs both measures because the LRF is predominantly funded by federal onshore oil and natural gas revenues. In a letter of support on the House bill, the trade group said the bill would keep critical LRF conservation projects moving forward and address the $40 billion backlog of deferred maintenance across all federally managed public lands.
“The Legacy Restoration Fund fulfills the balanced use of public lands that’s shaped our land management for over a century. As energy producers that operate on multiple-use public lands in the West, Alliance members support responsible land management policies. They recognize the important balance that exists between developing the natural resources our nation needs with conserving and restoring the iconic and historic landscapes that we all treasure. They are proud that our development of America’s natural resources will continue to sustain the LRF for years to come,” said Melissa Simpson, president of the Alliance
Created in 2020, the LRF is the largest federal conservation program. It directs $1.9 billion a year from energy developed on multiple-use public lands to fund deferred maintenance projects at national parks, forests, wetlands and other public lands. Between 2021and 2025, $8.3 billion was allocated under the LRF to 1,651 projects.
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