Daines proposes expanding federal funds for some public land projects
The America the Beautiful Act aims to reduce some of the $40 billion worth of deferred maintenance costs federal land agencies currently face by reauthorizing and expanding the Legacy Restoration Fund established through the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020. The fund directs revenues the federal government receives for energy development projects towards road and infrastructure repairs on public lands.
"The America the Beautiful Act will fund crucial projects and address maintenance backlogs, so that people can get outside and enjoy the natural beauty we're lucky to have here in the U.S.," said Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines at a May 1 press conference.
Daines introduced the America the Beautiful Act alongside Sen. Angus King, I-ME. Half a dozen other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including Montana's junior Republican senator, Tim Sheehy, have signed on as bill sponsors.
Under the America the Beautiful Act, annual allocations through the Legacy Restoration Fund would increase from $1.9 billion to $2 billion a year through 2033.
Of those funds, 70% go to the National Park Service, the agency with the largest amount of deferred maintenance costs. The U.S. Forest Service receives 15% of the annual funds, and the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Education each receive 5%.
The American the Beautiful Act introduces slight modifications to this selection criteria by adding prioritization for projects that provide at least a 15% match in funds. The bill also allows for funds to be used on any U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands. Currently, the agency can only apply funds to projects on national wildlife refuges.
Many of the country's largest conservation organizations have rallied behind the bill. The Kalispell Chamber, Glacier Park Land Owners, Glacier National Park Conservancy and the Flathead County Board of Commissioners also provided statements of support referencing the $52.7 million the fund has contributed towards maintenance projects in Glacier National Park.
The three projects the park financed with Legacy Restoration Funds include ongoing repairs to the 9.3-mile section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road that runs alongside McDonald Lake and updates to wastewater and water distribution systems in the Swiftcurrent area and at park headquarters.
Another $20 million has been designated from the fund for lands in Montana administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
President Donald Trump described the Great American Outdoors Act as "truly landmark legislation" during his first presidency and lauded the bipartisan partnership that brought the bill to his desk, but the America the Beautiful Act comes at a time of large-scale federal funding cuts.
Among the line items in the Trump Administration's proposed budget plan is a $73 million reduction in the National Park Service's annual construction budget. While the document suggests the president may continue to support the use of Restoration Legacy Funds for construction projects in national parks, it also points toward potential changes in how these funds are allocated.
"The Biden administration wasted federal funding on construction projects at sites that are more appropriately managed at the local level ... The president's deregulatory agenda will ensure that the Great American Outdoors Act funding for construction would go further than ever," the budget states.
The America the Beautiful Act was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. A hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Reporter Hailey Smalley may be reached at 758-4433 or hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com.
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