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Free National Park Entry Wednesday In Celebration Of Great American Outdoors Act

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National parks will be free to enter Wednesday in celebration of passage of Great American Outdoors Act/NPS

National parks will be free to enter Wednesday in celebration of passage of the Great American Outdoors Act.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland designated Wednesday as Great American Outdoors Day. The law, which passed last year with strong bipartisan support, makes unprecedented investments in national parks, public lands and American Indian schools.

To support the Interior Department’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to public lands, entrance fees will be waived on August 4 at all fee-collecting public lands managed by the department. Other fees, such as overnight camping, cabin rentals, group day use and use of special areas, remain in effect.

“Creating new jobs and stimulating our economy is a top priority of the Biden-Harris administration. Through the Great American Outdoors Act, we are investing in the American people, and in the future of our public lands and sacred spaces,” said the Interior secretary. “I invite all Americans to experience the beauty and bounty of our nation’s public lands – not just on August 4 but every day of the year.”

GAOA helps support efforts to conserve, restore, and protect lands and waters across the nation to help address the climate and biodiversity crises, increase equitable access to the great outdoors and strengthen the economy.

This summer is especially busy on many public lands. While most of the 423 national parks are open, visitors may find limited services in and around national parks. Check individual park websites or download the NPS App for specific details about their operations. Learn more about alternatives to popular parks on Interior’s blog. Public lands enthusiasts are encouraged to similarly plan their visits with the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

GAOA provides full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million per year. The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress in 1964 to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard the nation’s natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans.

GAOA also established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to provide needed maintenance at critical facilities on public lands and Indian schools. LRF-funded projects will help reduce Interior’s deferred maintenance backlog of over $22 billion and improve recreation facilities, dams, water and utility infrastructure, schools and other historic structures. Other projects aim to increase public access by restoring and repairing roads, trails, bridges and parking areas.

For Fiscal Year 2022, GAOA-funded projects for Interior are expected to support more than 17,000 jobs and generate $1.8 billion in local communities. Between planned Fiscal Year 2021 and proposed Fiscal Year 2022 funding, Interior has LRF deferred maintenance projects in all 50 states and multiple U.S. territories.

Upcoming free entrance days are:

  • August 25 – National Park Service’s 105th birthday
  • September 25 – National Public Lands Day
  • November 11 – Veterans Day

Comments

Love Muddy Mountain Wilderness, NV.  Have cleaned up trash, unbelievable people would dump garbage in this treasured wilderness area!

 


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