OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act, calling it the "most significant contribution to our parks" since President Theodore Roosevelt.
"When young Americans experience the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon; when their eyes widen in amazement as Old Faithful bursts into the sky; when they gaze upon Yosemite's, Yosemite's towering sequoias, their love of country grows stronger," President Trump said.
The bipartisan legislation pumps around $3 billion annually into conservation projects, maintenance of national parks and will permanently finance The Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Republican Congressman Don Bacon says this bill is needed to dig our National Park Service out of a hole.
"One of the problems that we've had over the last decade is our parks, which are national treasures for our country, have fallen woefully behind on maintenance," Rep. Bacon said.
The National Park Service accounts for 84 million acres of public lands, and a growing number of people flock to them annually to explore.
With this increased use, our National Park Service is continually upgrading and repairing crucial infrastructure.
NPS reports nearly $12 billion in backlogged maintenance projects.
"This will help repave roads on the parks, which I think is important, " Rep. Bacon said. "If you want to ensure that the bathrooms and rest areas... parts of these parks are clean and the water is working... you need this type of money to make those repairs."
Republican Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, who joined President Trump at the White House for the signing of this bill, said the following in a statement:
"Our national parks represent the majestic, serenity, vastness and openness of America. In many ways, these precious ecosystems, public lands, and national monuments reflects who we are as people."
Fortenberry adds he was glad to see this bill pass with bipartisan effort, adding it represents the best of America.
