Great American Outdoors Act

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), Public Law 116-152, is a historic investment in the protection and sustainment of our public lands and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-funded schools. GAOA established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (GAOA LRF) to address overdue maintenance needs. GAOA also permanently authorized funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) — a separate fund aimed at safeguarding our natural areas and cultural heritage.

By addressing the maintenance backlog, we help ensure that visitors and staff are safe and comfortable as they access our national parks, public lands and roads, national wildlife refuges, and BIE-funded schools. We’re excited about the important work the U.S. Department of the Interior and bureaus are planning and executing through GAOA LRF. We hope you’ll take the time to explore the projects we have featured on this site to see how this significant legislation is benefiting visitors and their communities across the country. Watch our video below to learn more about GAOA LRF’s transformational impact, highlighting some of the nearly 400 projects that will improve Interior’s assets on public lands in all states, the District of Columbia, and multiple U.S. territories.