Great American Outdoors Act Needs Your Voice

The Idaho Wildlife Federation commends Senate leaders for moving forward with the Great American Outdoors Act and urges the House to follow suit. The bill, which permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provides money for deferred maintenance projects at national parks, will generate jobs, stimulate the economy, create new recreation opportunities and protect our cherished public lands for generations to come.

For over five decades, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has created and maintained local, state and national parks, hiking and biking trails, waterfront access and much more in every zip code in America. Every county in Idaho has benefited from LWCF funding, and you yourself have used LWCF funded projects without knowing it. Last year Congress voted overwhelmingly to permanently reauthorize this successful conservation program. The Great American Outdoors Act will ensure full and permanent funding for it. America’s outdoor recreation economy supports over 7.6 million jobs and over $887 billion in annual economic output. In Idaho, the outdoor recreation economy equals agriculture as the state’s largest industry.

“We are urging Congressman Fulcher to vote to pass this bipartisan legislation, which will play a critical role in the economic recovery of our nation, and create jobs for the outdoor recreation economy,” said Becca Aceto, communications and outreach coordinator at the Idaho Wildlife Federation. “One thing we’ve learned during the COVID-19 pandemic is that Idahoans want and need to get outside to exercise and find solace on our public lands and community parks. But too many don’t have that access now. Expanding access to these spaces in the coming months and years should be an essential part of our collective national recovery.”

House leaders indicated they will take up the Great American Outdoors Act at the end of July. The Idaho Wildlife Federation urges Congressman Fulcher to vote for this common-sense legislation.

Use the form below to send a note to Congressman Fulcher and ask for his support for the Great American Outdoors Act.