Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill Backed by Shaheen & Hassan to Permanently Fund LWCF, Address Maintenance Backlog on NH Public Lands

Press Release

Today, the Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance on public lands. The LWCF helps preserve and maintain critical lands for national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and recreational areas in New Hampshire and across the country.

"I have long been a strong supporter of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has helped ensure New Hampshire's most treasured natural sites are protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy," said Senator Shaheen. "In addition to bolstering conservation efforts by finally providing LWCF with the full and permanent funding it deserves, this bill will boost our outdoor recreation economy and help address the substantial maintenance backlogs faced by federal lands and refuges in our state. This backlog is causing budgetary shortfalls and threatens the safety and long-term sustainability of these areas. I'm pleased by the bipartisan support that allowed the Great American Outdoors Act to clear the Senate. The House should follow suit swiftly and pass this bill."

"New Hampshire's natural beauty helps define us as a state and drives our outdoor economy--and the Great American Outdoors Act will provide critical support to protect these natural resources for generations to come," said Senator Hassan. "I am very pleased to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this bill to ensure the permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is critical for protecting our environment, and in turn, our public health. The bill also secures much-needed additional resources to address the maintenance backlog on federal lands. From the White Mountain National Forest to the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge to community parks and trails across our state, this bipartisan legislation will help preserve the places that Granite State families love to enjoy and that spur our tourism industry."

New Hampshire has a backlog of more than $43 million in deferred maintenance. The following areas would be eligible for maintenance funding under the Great American Outdoors Act:

White Mountain National Forest
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
John Hay National Wildlife Refuge
Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
Conte National Wildlife Refuge
Appalachian Trail

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