U.S. Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act

-
BlogOn June 17, the U.S. Senate Passed S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act, on a bipartisan vote of 73 to 25. This legislation would a create new account to reduce the approximate $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on our nation’s public lands and make the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) a mandatory spending program.U.S. Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act
-
Blog
U.S. Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act
On June 17, the U.S. Senate Passed S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act, on a bipartisan vote of 73 to 25. This legislation would a create new account to reduce the approximate $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on our nation’s public lands and make the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) a mandatory spending program.
S. 3422 would create the new National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. The Restoration Fund would receive 50 percent of receipts from the development of oil, gas, coal and renewable energy on federal lands and waters. The Restoration Fund would direct 70 percent of funding to the National Park Service, 15 percent to the U.S. Forest Service, and five percent each to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Education. Deposits to the Restoration Fund would be authorized for 5 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025) and capped at $1.9 billion annually. Counties support efforts to reduce the deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands, as it will increase tourism access and improve necessary infrastructure to conduct crucial resource and land management activities.
Additionally, S. 3422 will make the LWCF program a mandatory spending program at approximately $900 million annually. Established in 1964, the LWCF is funded by royalty payments from offshore oil and gas development in federal waters. Last year, Congress permanently reauthorized LWCF but the program is still subject to the annual congressional appropriations cycle, where it is rarely fully funded. Additionally, least 40% of LWCF funds are directed to state and local governments for local parks and other conservation projects.
However, counties have concerns with permanent mandatory funding of LWCF because it is also used by federal lands agencies to purchase private and state lands to add to the federal estate, such as national parks and forests. This removes those lands from county property tax rolls. While these lands are generally Payments In-Lieu of Taxes (PILT) eligible, PILT payments are much less than property tax revenues. Counties encourage Congress and the administration to mitigate this scenario by ensuring new land acquisitions receive the support of the elected officials within an impacted county, while also supporting long-term funding for federal lands counties through the PILT and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) programs.
Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and James Risch (R-Idaho) sponsored an amendment to secure ten years of full, mandatory PILT funding and establish an endowment fund to make permanent SRS payments to national forest counties, but the amendment was not considered by the full Senate.
The bill will now move to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass. President Trump has committed to sign the legislation. NACo will continue to work with Congress and the administration on ways to improve the bill and its implementation moving forward.
On June 17, the U.S. Senate Passed S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act, on a bipartisan vote of 73 to 25.2020-06-23Blog2020-06-23
On June 17, the U.S. Senate Passed S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act, on a bipartisan vote of 73 to 25. This legislation would a create new account to reduce the approximate $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on our nation’s public lands and make the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) a mandatory spending program.
S. 3422 would create the new National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. The Restoration Fund would receive 50 percent of receipts from the development of oil, gas, coal and renewable energy on federal lands and waters. The Restoration Fund would direct 70 percent of funding to the National Park Service, 15 percent to the U.S. Forest Service, and five percent each to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Education. Deposits to the Restoration Fund would be authorized for 5 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025) and capped at $1.9 billion annually. Counties support efforts to reduce the deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands, as it will increase tourism access and improve necessary infrastructure to conduct crucial resource and land management activities.
Additionally, S. 3422 will make the LWCF program a mandatory spending program at approximately $900 million annually. Established in 1964, the LWCF is funded by royalty payments from offshore oil and gas development in federal waters. Last year, Congress permanently reauthorized LWCF but the program is still subject to the annual congressional appropriations cycle, where it is rarely fully funded. Additionally, least 40% of LWCF funds are directed to state and local governments for local parks and other conservation projects.
However, counties have concerns with permanent mandatory funding of LWCF because it is also used by federal lands agencies to purchase private and state lands to add to the federal estate, such as national parks and forests. This removes those lands from county property tax rolls. While these lands are generally Payments In-Lieu of Taxes (PILT) eligible, PILT payments are much less than property tax revenues. Counties encourage Congress and the administration to mitigate this scenario by ensuring new land acquisitions receive the support of the elected officials within an impacted county, while also supporting long-term funding for federal lands counties through the PILT and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) programs.
Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and James Risch (R-Idaho) sponsored an amendment to secure ten years of full, mandatory PILT funding and establish an endowment fund to make permanent SRS payments to national forest counties, but the amendment was not considered by the full Senate.
The bill will now move to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass. President Trump has committed to sign the legislation. NACo will continue to work with Congress and the administration on ways to improve the bill and its implementation moving forward.

About Jonathan Shuffield (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Public Lands | Western Interstate Region
Jonathan serves as NACo’s legislative director for public lands and liaison to the Western Interstate Region, lobbying Congress on public lands issues including Payments In Lieu of Taxes, Secure Rural Schools, land management and endangered species.More from Jonathan Shuffield
-
Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
County News
Public lands champions visit Capitol Hill
County officials from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for federal public land policies, sharing stories with members of Congress of how the Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs help counties fund essential services, including search and rescue operations, infrastructure and education. -
Blog
NACo testifies on county role in combatting wildfires and forest management at U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing
On Friday, August 11, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing titled “Conservation in a Crown Jewel: A Discussion About Wildfire and Forest Management.” -
Blog
USFS announces $250 million for wildfire risk reduction efforts
On July 31, the U.S. Forest Service announced that it is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program. USFS will award up to $250 million in total funding to eligible applicants, including counties, for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities. -
Webinar
Exploring Outdoor Recreation as a Component of Economic Diversification
Jul. 27, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmJoin the BRECC National Network for a conversation on outdoor recreation as a viable component to build a robust, diverse local economy. Learn more about research trends linked to outdoor recreation economic development, small business ecosystems and resources that could support coal communities. -
County News
Permitting fee funds land acquisition for conservation
Travis County, Texas is on year 27 of a 30-year conservation plan for Balcones Canyonland, a 50-mile square urban preserve.
-
Basic page
Public Lands Steering Committee
All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.pagepagepage<p>All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Public Lands | Western Interstate Region(512) 965-7268
Related Posts
-
BlogThe County Countdown – September 26, 2023Sep. 25, 2023
-
County NewsPublic lands champions visit Capitol HillSep. 20, 2023
-
BlogNACo testifies on county role in combatting wildfires and forest management at U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearingAug. 16, 2023
Related Resources
-
VideoCounties testify on our role in evolving federal land management challengesMar. 8, 2023
-
VideoCounties testify on public lands management and the 2023 Farm BillMar. 8, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction ActFeb. 22, 2023
More From
-
Treasury releases Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund payments to eligible counties
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the release of Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) payments to counties.
Learn More