The Department of Agriculture will invest $285 million to help the Forest Service. Announced Monday, the investment will help address deferred maintenance and improve transportation and recreation infrastructure on national forests and grasslands. The $285 million investment comes from the newly created National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. The fund was established in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act.
The funding allows the Forest Service to implement more than 500 infrastructure improvement projects essential to the continued use of national forests and grasslands. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “these investments will promote public-private partnerships, tourism and recreation, protect public lands, and ensure our national forests are accessible to all.” Investments in 2021 will improve recreation facilities, visitor centers, dams and trails. Other projects aim to increase public access by restoring and repairing roads, trails, bridges, tunnels and parking areas. The Great American Outdoors Act authorizes funding under the Legacy Restoration Fund annually through fiscal year 2025.
