Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata marked the five-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which was signed into law on August 4, 2020. The legislation, supported by both parties and signed by President Trump, is recognized as a significant investment in U.S. public lands. It strengthened the National Parks System (NPS), ensured permanent funding for the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and created the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF).
The GAOA introduced new legislative measures to provide grants and funding for federal land programs, including National Parks, National Forests, Fish and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Land Management. These funds also extend to state, territory, tribal, and local governments for recreation and conservation initiatives.
A key component of the act is its mandate for $900 million annually in perpetuity for the LWCF. This program receives funding from offshore oil and gas drilling royalties collected in federal waters. Although established in 1964, the LWCF rarely received full funding until after GAOA passed. Congresswoman Amata noted her support for permanent authorization of this fund in 2018 through her vote in the Natural Resources Committee; Congress granted this authorization in 2019 before fully funding it with GAOA in 2020.
The Legacy Restoration Fund allocated $9 billion over five years to address maintenance backlogs at national parks across the country. Projects included erosion control, trail upkeep, visitor center renovations, plumbing repairs, and reopening park sites. According to reports from Congresswoman Amata’s office, these efforts have supported approximately 72,500 jobs through nearly 400 projects.
“Any funds for improvements, maintenance or even basic upkeep efforts to our beautiful National Park of American Samoa or any other national park since 2020 have roots in this overall major legislation,” said Congresswoman Amata. “The LWCF also supports the local parks and recreation efforts by states, territories, and cities, beyond those of the National Park System, and has provided past support to our territory in that way.”
There are currently 63 National Parks among a total of 433 sites within the NPS system—including monuments and historic locations—which together attracted about 33 million visits last year and generated $26.4 billion for surrounding communities.
The National Park of American Samoa holds a unique position as it is located south of the Equator on multiple islands with distinct South Pacific plant and animal life not found elsewhere in U.S.-administered areas; it also includes protected coral reefs.
“The Great American Outdoors Act made a new national commitment to the wonderful places attracting visitors in every state and territory,” concluded Amata. “Federally funded long term maintenance provides local jobs in each location and protects permanent value, ongoing attraction to visitors, and in American Samoa’s case, lease payments.”
