Trump Signs Great American Outdoor Act

On Tuesday, President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act. In a signing ceremony, Trump said the legislation "builds on my administration's unwavering commitment to conserving, and the grander, the splendor, of God's creation."

The bill establishes a National Park and Public Lands Restoration Fund to provide up to $9 billion to fix backlogged maintenance at national parks and other federal lands. The bill also guarantees $900 million per year for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund helps fund the main federal land programs in the United States.

The National Wildlife Federation said the bill will "protect public lands and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation.”

However, the legislation may be problematic for ranchers who use public grazing lands. The Public Lands Council calls the bill a “land grab.” PLC said the bill gives federal agencies free rein to spend a minimum of $360 million per year solely to acquire new private land without any oversight from Congress.

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