Pew Joins National Organizations in Praising Enactment of Great American Outdoors Act

In a joint statement Aug. 4, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the National Audubon Society, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act. The law—which passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support on votes of 73-25 and 310-107, respectively, and was signed by the president—will help address priority repair needs on National Park Service sites and other public lands. It also permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Read the press release below or download a PDF version of the statement on the right.

WASHINGTON D.C.—The National Audubon Society, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the United States Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement today about the Great American Outdoors Act becoming law:

“The president’s signature on the Great American Outdoors Act represents an important bipartisan victory that will benefit our environment, our economy, and local communities.

“We’re proud of the vast coalition of organizations and members of the public who rallied to make their voices heard in support of this legislation, and we’re thankful to the bill’s primary sponsors—Senators Cory Gardner, Joe Manchin, Steve Daines, and Mark Warner, and Representatives Joe Cunningham, Mike Simpson, Mikie Sherrill, and Brian Fitzpatrick—and to all the members of Congress who supported this bipartisan effort.

“The Great American Outdoors Act will address a critical repair backlog within our national parks, forests, and other public land agencies. It will also permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides critical resources to states and local governments for open space and resilience projects. In doing so, it will ensure that $900 million in annual royalties from energy companies is directed to its intended purposes.

“The Great American Outdoors Act is even more important during this pandemic, because starting the overdue repair work will help create jobs that communities and businesses need for their economic recovery.”

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems.

Learn more at pewtrusts.org.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations.

They all share one thing: They count on the U.S. Chamber to be their voice in Washington, across the country, and around the world. For more than 100 years, we have advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy.

Learn more at uschamber.com.

U.S. Chamber Press Contact
202.463.5945
Contact: Matt Letourneau