The Great American Outdoors Act is signed into law!
The Great American Outdoors Act is signed into law, creating a lifeline for South Carolina’s outdoor recreation economy and providing access to parks and open spaces. This historic legislation will fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
On August 4, 2020 the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law to fully and permanently fund
our nation’s most successful conservation program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and
invest in infrastructure for our National Parks and other public lands.
Since LWCF was enacted in 1964, it has invested over $303.5 million to protect and enhance our special
places across South Carolina, such as Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Congaree National Park,
and ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge, while providing access to outdoor recreation in every single one
of our 46 counties across the state.
Previously, LWCF had to fight for reauthorization and funding every Year and seldom received the full
$900 million per Year that it was intended – resulting in over $22 billion promised funds being redirected
over its lifetime. In 2019, LWCF was permanently reauthorized. Now, with the passage of the Great
American Outdoors Act, the LWCF will be fully funded in perpetuity.
“Full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund will create jobs by supporting our
outdoor recreation and tourism economy and will also ensure that all communities across South
Carolina have access to safe, quality parks and open spaces and the health benefits that come with
them. We applaud Rep. Cunningham’s hard work on this historic bill and his continued work to protect
natural beauty and quality of life in the Lowcountry ” said John Tynan, Executive Director of
Conservation Voters of South Carolina.
Please join us in thanking Congressman Cunningham for his leadership, as well as Representatives
Wilson, Duncan, and Clyburn and Senators Graham and Scott for all of their hard work and support of
the Great American Outdoors Act!