SILVER CITY, N.M. (Jun. 4, 2020) – Today, the Great American Outdoors Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The new bill mirrors a Senate bill of the same introduced in March and supported by a bipartisan group of Senators from the Rocky Mountain West. The Great American Outdoors Act would guarantee full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and fund long-deferred maintenance of our nation’s national forests, trails, and other public lands.
Representative Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico and Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho were two of twelve original cosponsors to the House version of the bill. Together, their districts include almost a third of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
“Fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund is vital to our efforts to complete the Continental Divide Trail,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. “Well-maintained and protected trails and public lands are an important source of economic and physical and mental health benefits. Representatives Torres Small and Simpson clearly recogniz that, and we are grateful for their continued leadership on these issues.”
Small business owners across the Rocky Mountain West have shown broad support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Last year, 98% of more than 200 small business owners surveyed along the Continental Divide Trail responded that they “support Congress providing dedicated, full funding for LWCF.”
###
About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
