TRIBUNE NEWS • June 27, 2020
If Americans took our national parks for granted before, they probably don’t anymore. Long weeks in COVID-19 lockdown, it turns out, have a way of renewing your appreciation for outdoor adventure. Last week, the Senate approved a measure that will be good for national parks and public landst for years to come. The measure ensures that the Land and Water Conservation Fund gets the $900 million it is supposed to get every year. It establishes a permanent funding source – a share of federal royalties for offshore oil and gas drilling. It also provides $9.5 billion to address a mountain of deferred maintenance. The Great American Outdoors Act, which President Trump has promised to sign, now goes to the House of Representatives, where approval is expected. ~ Clark Griswold