Pew Among Hundreds of Groups Asking Congress to Pass Great American Outdoors Act

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Projects: Restore America's Parks
Pew Asking Congress to Pass Great American Outdoors Act

This page was updated on June 18, 2020 to reflect more than 900 groups from the previously stated 850 are urging Congress to pass the Great American Outdoors Act.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is among more than 900 national, regional, state, and local groups urging Congress to support passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which would invest in the repair of aging infrastructure at national parks and public lands, and the protection of outdoor recreation access. The letter was sent to Senate and House leadership on May 11.

There is overwhelming bipartisan congressional support for this effort, as well as public support throughout the country, and the president has indicated that he will sign the legislation into law.

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Data Visualization May 23, 2018

National Park Deferred Maintenance Needs, FY19

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Data Visualization May 23, 2018

National Park Deferred Maintenance Needs, FY19

With record crowds contributing to wear and tear and federal funding unreliable, the National Park Service is struggling to keep pace with repairs, estimated at $11.6 billion in fiscal year 2017. Use this tool, based on NPS data, to learn more about deferred maintenance at NPS sites across the county, in your state, and at your favorite park.

Fact Sheet December 23, 2020

Why We Need to Fix Our Parks, 2020

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Fact Sheet December 23, 2020

The National Park Service (NPS) is over 100 years old, and the infrastructure and facilities at the more than 400 sites it manages nationwide are aging. Add wear and tear from visitors and inconsistent annual funding, and the park service can’t keep pace with needed repairs. NPS’ maintenance backlog has grown to an estimated $13.1 billion, and more than half of that is for highest-priority assets.

Downloads Great American Outdoors Act Support Letter (PDF)
Downloads Great American Outdoors Act Support Letter (PDF)
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Marcia Argust directs The Pew Charitable Trusts’ campaign to restore America’s parks
Marcia Argust Director
U.S. Public Lands and Rivers Conservation
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Monique O'Grady Senior Manager, Communications 202.540.6336
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Infrastructure Land Conservation U.S. Policy
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Public lands National parks
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Restore America's Parks
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Marcia Argust
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