Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund Newsroom

Minute Man National Historical Park received approximately $27.4 million in project funds from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to address deferred maintenance and repair needs for the park’s buildings, structures, landscape, trails, signage, and monuments in order to improve the visitor experience. The first project phase focuses on rehabilitating several historic buildings, including the Jacob Whittemore House, the Elisha Jones House, Carty Barn, and the Captain William Smith House. The next phase will rehabilitate a walking trail near Battle Road Trail and Groton Road.

Thanks to the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now had access to funding to invest in habitat improvement projects which would also expand recreational access for the American public. With the newly available funds, the Service hired Maintenance Action Teams (MAT) to travel to refuges and tackle challenging habitat restoration and deferred maintenance projects like the Dusky Marsh restoration.

The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (USACE) are developing a multimillion-dollar project to replace failing seawall bulkheads, boat ramps, walkways, and aging amenities at the Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park. Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), this project aims to create an optimal visitor experience and improve safety while minimizing potential impacts on natural and cultural resources. The NPS and USACE are inviting public comment on this project through April 27. Infrastructure funding from GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive deferred maintenance and repair backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA's Legacy Restoration Fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to the NPS to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.

The Great American Outdoors Act, passed in 2020, gives the Service funding – nearly $100 million annually – to reduce the list of deferred maintenance projects. That includes repairing or replacing visitor facilities – like the one at Occoquan Bay – as well as roads, trails and other critical infrastructure. By leveraging Great American Outdoors Act funding with that from other sources, we can make maintenance miracles happen in the places they’re needed most.

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is a historic investment in the protection and sustainment of public lands and Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools. This landmark legislation provides economic support to communities by providing jobs and investing in much-needed maintenance for critical facilities and infrastructure on public lands. Through the Great American Outdoors Act funding, more than eight projects are happening across Bureau of Land Management sites in Utah.