Billy Long: Conserving nature is always a good thing

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Last week, Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act, a bipartisan once-in-a-generation conservation effort that improves our national park infrastructure and permanently secures funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). 

As an avid outdoorsman, I am proud to have cosponsored this critical legislation because I recognize the profound impact it will have on the Roaring River State Park, the Ozark Greenway trail, and countless other natural resources across Missouri’s 7th congressional district. 

This bill will have a wide-reaching impact that will enhance thousands of treasured sites across the country and better position our nation to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. 

A long time ago, in a galaxy (Arizona) far, far away, I was a Muleskinner at the Grand Canyon. I had the good fortune of getting paid to make daily trips down into the canyon by muleback. I was able to experience the majestic nature of one of our true national treasures in my job as a guide on the famous mule rides into the Grand Canyon. I know how important our parks are to the more than 300 million people that flock to enjoy them every year. 

With this volume of traffic, the need for routine maintenance and repairs are exponential. Unfortunately, data from 2018 suggests that national parks have an estimated $12 billion worth of maintenance projects, including urgent issues that have been delayed at least a year due to a lack of funding. 

This legislation addresses this problem head on by establishing the National Park and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund, which directs revenue from energy developments on federal lands and waters to address the billions of dollars in deferred maintenance projects. The bill will also provide additional support, if necessary, to make up for lost revenue due to coronavirus so that funding is not interrupted.

In 1964, Congress established the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect endangered species’ habitats and develop parks and outdoor recreation sites, but its funding was never guaranteed. The Great American Outdoors Act fixed that by providing $900 million annually to ensure the program is fully funded.

This Act will solidify our nation’s conservation legacy, and the funding couldn’t come at a better time. The coronavirus has inspired Americans to get outside to stay active and reduce stress. 

In my view, there are no better places to do this than in our national parks. With the increase in visitors throughout our parks, now more than ever, we must make sure our parks are in good repair. The Great American Outdoors Act puts us in the best position to do that.

This bill is a big win for bipartisan conservation efforts, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law. The Great American Outdoors Act is a monumental conservation achievement that will have a lasting impact on generations to come, and I am proud to join my colleagues in our efforts to preserve and maintain our most prized American landscapes.