The report highlights key conservation and infrastructure projects that have been funded in the two years since GAOA was signed into law, including
Since Biden took office the costs of maintaining public lands have skyrocketed. Earlier this year the National Park Service (NPS) reported its maintenance backlog grew to $21.8 billion, versus $13 billion at the start of the administration. The root of the problem lies in growing inefficiencies at the agency. A congressional oversight hearing in February revealed numerous problems within DOI and NPS, including the growing costs to administer programs, conduct environmental reviews, and complete projects. “Public lands are facing a double whammy. In addition to threatening the revenue stream for conservation dollars, the Biden Administration has managed to escalate costs to maintain national parks many times faster than inflation,” added Sgamma. The full report with additional background on the Great American Outdoors Act can be downloaded here. Background Signed into law in 2020, GAOA combined two public lands conservation programs. The new National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund provides up to $1.9 billion annually for national park and public lands restoration from onshore energy revenues. The vast majority of revenue comes from federal onshore oil and natural gas royalties. The act also permanently funds the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund to the tune of $900 million annually, which is exclusively generated from offshore oil and natural gas. # # #
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