GAOA LRF Projects in Action

The U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) is working to rehabilitate assets on our nation’s public lands through the Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (GAOA LRF). Explore the progress of GAOA LRF projects as they move toward completion and how much money GAOA LRF has obligated.

GAOA LRF Major Project Phases

After Interior awards funding, GAOA LRF projects move through six major project phases: Planning, Design, Procurement, Construction, Substantially Complete, and Complete. The visualization below shows the rounded percentage of the current GAOA LRF funding in each of the major project phases as of June 2024. Click here to download the data in Excel format.

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Percent GAOA LRF Budget Estimate by Major Project Phase showing 2.1% planning, 35.8% design, 11% procurement, 43.5% construction, 6.9% substantially complete, .7% complete.
  • Visualization does not include Maintenance Action Teams or Supplemental Conservation Workforce projects.
  • Visualization is a generalized representation of major project phases. A GAOA LRF project can have multiple subphases within the major project phases.

 

The graphic below describes the activities that occur during each of the major project phases of GAOA LRF projects.

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This graphic defines each GAOA LRF major project phase and includes descriptive icons. The text reads:

  • Planning: The scope of the project is defined, and preliminary design data is collected.
  • Design: Architectural drawings and specifications are developed.
  • Procurement: Contracts are awarded to construction contractors.
  • Construction: Infrastructure and buildings are built, repaired, or demolished.
  • Substantially Complete: Construction is sufficiently completed, and the site is returned to operation.
  • Complete: Project administration tasks are completed.

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This graphic defines each GAOA LRF major project phase and includes descriptive icons. The text reads: Planning: The scope of the project is defined, and preliminary design data is collected. Design: Architectural drawings and specifications are developed
  • These project phases reflect the phases for a typical GAOA LRF contract. Phases and descriptions are generalized across project types and are not inclusive of all activities that occur during that phase. Some GAOA LRF projects contain multiple components that may be in varying or combined phases, however each project is assigned a single generalized phase.
  • GAOA LRF projects must comply with NEPA requirements.

 

GAOA LRF Dollars in Action 

GAOA LRF dollars are already hard at work improving assets in national parks, national wildlife refuges, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools across the U.S. and territories. The visualization below depicts the percentage of GAOA LRF funding available in each of the first three fiscal years of the program that Interior has obligated to date. Obligations represent the amount the government has agreed to pay for GAOA LRF projects and activities. For example, Interior obligates funding when Interior enters into a contract or places an order for goods or services. The total obligated GAOA LRF funding as of June 30, 2024, is $2,617,371,548.

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Percent of GAOA LRF funds obligated by fiscal year: FY21 is 82%, FY22 is 55%, FY23 is 28%, and FY24 is 1%.
  • The fiscal year 2024 federal budget was signed into law March 23rd, 2024.

 

GAOA LRF Construction in Progress 

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
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Unfinished structure on the side of a dirt hill surrounded by construction pieces.

GAOA LRF is funding a new Administrative and Visitor Center facility in the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge in California. The previous facility had structural and seismic code issues and suffered rockslide damage on multiple occasions. The new facility is sited in a less vulnerable location, will have a smaller carbon footprint, and will be fully accessible to the public. The replacement facility is one of many deferred maintenance and repair activities currently underway at the refuge.
Blue Ridge Parkway
National Park Service
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Unfinished bridge standing in front of heavy machinery and trees, underneath blue sky.

Long overdue construction is underway on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The 550 foot long 80-year-old Laurel Fork Bridge recently reached the end of its service life and required closure during times of high wind. The bridge has already been demolished, and GAOA LRF funding will replace the Laurel Fork Bridge. The new structure will ensure the continued enjoyment and safety of parkway visitors long into the future.