Statement: Biden administration restores great outdoors program

Media Contacts
Alex Petersen

New order reverses damaging, last-minute Trump administration effort to undermine Great American Outdoors Act

Environment America

WASHINGTON —  The Interior Department took corrective action Thursday to fix last-minute Trump era changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). In a parting shot, the previous administration had created procedural hurdles to gum up and undermine the Great American Outdoors Act, which was enacted by Congress and signed by the President last year to put a lock and key on money intended for conservation projects. 

Environment America Conservation Advocate Alex Petersen issued the following statement:

“The last administration appropriately celebrated when the Great American Outdoors Act was passed, but then proceeded to blow up the victory on their way out the door. This new action by the Biden administration restores the program. 

“We’re thrilled to see the new administration fix this problem. Americans love the great outdoors, and there’s nothing more American than conserving the natural wonders that surround us all.“

“From coast-to-coast, Americans support President Biden’s goal of conserving 30 percent of America’s land and water by 2030. This new order ensures that the Land and Water Conservation Fund, arguably America’s best tool for protecting open space, will continue to do what it does best — protecting new parks, new forested lands, new wildlife refuges and a whole lot more.”

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Environment America is a national network of 29 state environmental groups. Our staff work together for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate. Our members across the United States put grassroots support behind our research and advocacy. Environment America is part of The Public Interest Network, which runs organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world, a set of core values, and a strategic approach to getting things done.

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