In a move to shine a spotlight on the great outdoors, the President has established the 'Make America Beautiful Again Commission'. According to a statement released by the White House, the initiative promises to prioritize conservation efforts, address the backlog of maintenance required for national parks and public lands, and promote economic growth through outdoor recreation.
Years of what some call neglect and mismanagement have left America's public spaces in need of serious attention, with the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service grappling with a staggering $23 billion and $10.8 billion in deferred maintenance, respectively. The President's order points out that these financial woes have resulted, in roads and trails, and historic landmarks falling into disrepair. All while maintaining that America has the capacity to balance natural preservation with economic prosperity.
The order specifically calls out land-use restrictions that have purportedly 'stripped hunters, fishers, hikers, and outdoorsmen of access to public lands that belong to them'. It states that these 'bureaucratic restrictions have undermined outdoor traditions and threatened conservation funding'. Furthermore, the document draws on the success of the Great American Outdoors Act to support the notion that environmental conservation and economic development can coexist, highlighting the outdoor recreation economy's $1.2 trillion contribution to the U.S. economic output.
In line with the administration's policy, the President believes that "through both innovation and commonsense policies, America can preserve its natural beauty and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations," as noted by the White House official statement.
