Whitefish, Montana – A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced new legislation aimed at extending and expanding one of the most significant public lands laws passed in recent years, with supporters saying the proposal would continue major investments in national parks, forests, recreation sites, and other public lands across the country.
Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke joined House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Jared Huffman in introducing the Great American Outdoors Act 250, commonly known as GAOA 250.
The legislation is designed to reauthorize and modernize the original Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law by Donald Trump in 2020 during his first term in office.
Supporters of the measure say the new bill would provide $1.9 billion over the next five years to continue addressing maintenance needs throughout America’s public lands while also supporting jobs, tourism, recreation opportunities, and local economies.
Building on a major conservation law
Zinke played a key role in developing the original Great American Outdoors Act while serving as Secretary of the Interior. The law was created to tackle a growing backlog of maintenance and infrastructure needs that had accumulated across federal land agencies for decades.
Since its passage, the program has funded thousands of projects involving the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Education.
Funding from the original law has helped repair and improve roads, bridges, campgrounds, trails, visitor centers, water systems, and other public facilities that millions of Americans use every year.
According to supporters, the investments have improved access for outdoor enthusiasts while also helping preserve important natural and historical sites.
“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,” said Zinke. “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. Six years later, we’ve seen the results. Roads have been rebuilt, trails restored, visitor facilities modernized, and access improved for hunters, anglers, hikers, campers, and families. GAOA 250 builds on that proven success and ensures these investments continue as America celebrates its 250th birthday.”
Major investments proposed
The new legislation would invest $1.9 billion during the next five years through a combination of foreign visitor fees, private donations, and revenues generated from onshore energy production.
A central goal of the proposal is reducing maintenance backlogs that continue to affect many national parks and public lands.
To accomplish that, the bill would establish a new America’s Legacy Restoration Fund that would continue financing repairs and infrastructure improvements.
Supporters say the funding could be used to restore campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, hunting and fishing access locations, and other recreation facilities that have experienced years of wear and deterioration.
The proposal would also expand opportunities for private donations and public-private partnerships, allowing additional resources to support conservation and recreation projects.
Lawmakers behind the measure further want to create dedicated opportunities for projects focused on outdoor recreation and access for sportsmen.
Another component of the legislation would formally establish President Trump’s foreign visitor fee policy, which supporters believe could generate additional revenue for future maintenance work.
Impact on Montana and rural communities
Supporters point to Montana as an example of how the original Great American Outdoors Act has already produced visible results.
According to information released with the legislation, more than $100 million has been invested in Montana since the original law took effect.
Those projects have included road repairs, upgrades to water systems, trail improvements, campground modernization efforts, preservation of historic sites, and improvements to visitor facilities.
Many of those investments have occurred in and around Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, two of the nation’s most visited public lands destinations.
Supporters say these projects have improved visitor experiences while helping preserve the parks for future generations.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, lawmakers argue that the legislation would provide a substantial economic boost. According to projections released with the proposal, GAOA 250 could support approximately 72,500 jobs nationwide and generate an estimated $26.4 billion in economic activity, particularly in rural gateway communities that depend heavily on outdoor tourism.
Backers also say the bill would strengthen America’s outdoor recreation economy, which they estimate contributes roughly $1.3 trillion to the nation’s economy.
The legislation has now been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee, where lawmakers will consider its next steps. Supporters hope the measure will continue the work started by the original Great American Outdoors Act and ensure that investments in public lands continue as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
