Stauber Votes Yes on the Great American Outdoors Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted for the Great American Outdoors Act, legislation that will preserve and protect our nation's public lands. Specifically, this legislation will address the maintenance backlog on federal public lands and fund the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) with revenues generated from offshore oil and gas production.

Of this legislation's passage, Congressman Stauber stated, "Northeast Minnesota is blessed with some of the most beautiful parks and public lands in the country, bringing sportsmen and tourists from across the globe to stay in our hotels, dine at our restaurants, and shop at our local small businesses. Our public lands and national parks have always been vital to our economy's success, and with this legislation's passage, they will also become a key factor in our economic recovery. By allocating funds to maintain and protect these special spaces, this legislation will provide jobs for Minnesotans, spur much-needed economic prosperity in our local communities and ensure continued enjoyment for generations to come. Since arriving in Congress, I have promised to fight for our way of life and unleash the economic engine, and the bipartisan passage of this legislation is an important step in doing just that."

Background:

There is currently an $11 billion national park backlog. Nationally, the big-budget items that need to be funded are things like roads, trails, bridges, water systems, and historic buildings.

In Voyageurs National Park, there is $14.9 million in unfunded maintenance alone.

Congress has been looking to address this problem for the last few Congresses.

###