Reed’s Outdoor Bill Signed By President Trump

WASHINGTON — Congressman Tom Reed joined President Donald Trump on Tuesday for the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act.

The Problem Solvers endorsed bill became law during the White House ceremony.

Reed co-sponsored the legislation, and the Problem Solvers Caucus, which Reed co-chairs, endorsed the bill in July.

“We care about the preservation and conservation of our country’s natural treasures, landmarks, wildlife, and public lands,” Reed said “By securing annual funding to eliminate a backlog of maintenance at our national parks and historical sites, this legislation will ensure generations of future Americans will be able to enjoy everything our great nation has to offer. We appreciate the administration’s ongoing leadership on this issue and will continue to fight in a bipartisan manner to protect our environment.”

Trump acknowledged the natural beauty found in all areas of the nation.

“The Great American Outdoors Act provides $900 million a year in guaranteed funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund so that all Americans can continue to enjoy our parks, wildlife refuges.  I mean, if you look at this, if you look at what we do with our wildlife, and — it’s really been incredible.  So all of the wildlife areas, the wildlife parks, historic battlefields, national monuments, and public lands,” he said at the signing. “Additionally, this bill provides nearly $10 billion for long-delayed maintenance projects, repairs, and upgrades to make the national parks greater than they have ever been before.  We think that’s going to happen.”

“The Great American Outdoors Act is the conservation bill of a generation. ACC’s members thank Representative Reed for his leadership and commitment to protecting our nation’s parks and public lands,” said Quill Robinson, Vice President of Government Affairs, American Conservation Coalition.

The conservation bill is designed to ensure public lands are protected and preserved. The bipartisan legislation will provide full, permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at a level of $900 million every year and address the approximately $20 billion maintenance backlog on federal public lands.