House Committee on Natural Resources Hosts Field Hearing on Great American Outdoors Act

The House Committee on Natural Resources, led by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), recently hosted a field hearing in Grand Teton National Park to discuss the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) on the eve of America's 250th anniversary. The hearing brought together seven members of Congress and local stakeholders to highlight the successes of the GAOA and identify areas for improvement. Chairman Westerman emphasized the importance of modernizing and maintaining national parks for future generations, while Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) expressed her commitment to continuing to work with local communities to improve national treasures and support rural economies.

Key Takeaways:

• The House Committee on Natural Resources has hosted three field hearings of the 119th Congress, with the most recent one being in Grand Teton National Park to discuss the GAOA.
• Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) emphasized the need to modernize and maintain national parks ahead of America's 250th birthday, citing the GAOA as a crucial step in achieving this goal.
• The GAOA, signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2020, invested $1.9 billion annually in national parks and public lands through federal energy revenues.
• The committee remains committed to using GAOA funding responsibly and effectively, with a focus on critical park repairs and local economic development.
• Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) highlighted the importance of national parks and public lands to local economies and expressed her commitment to working with local communities to improve these resources.
• The hearing at Grand Teton National Park emphasized the successes of the GAOA, including modernizing park infrastructure, enhancing visitor experience, expanding public access, and creating new outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Reauthorizing the GAOA is critical to extending its positive impact and improving national monuments and public lands for future generations.
• The National Park Service, along with local partners, has implemented GAOA-funded projects, including park repairs and infrastructure improvements, such as the Granite Canyon Trailhead, Moose-Wilson Road, and equestrian areas.
• Chairman Westerman and Congresswoman Hageman spoke directly with National Park Service officials, small business owners, and other local partners about the GAOA's impact on national parks and public lands.

Statistics:

• $1.9 billion annually invested in national parks and public lands through federal energy revenues under the GAOA (2020).
• 3 field hearings of the 119th Congress held by the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 7 members of Congress attended the recent field hearing in Grand Teton National Park.
• 250th anniversary of America approaching, with the House Committee on Natural Resources focusing on modernizing and maintaining national parks.
• 100% of GAOA funding committed to responsible and effective use by the committee.

Sources:

• U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources. (2023). House Committee on Natural Resources Hosts Field Hearing on Great American Outdoors Act.