Proposed Disaster Supplemental Supports Public Lands and Waters

Photo credit: Jeff Miller

Congress is considering a package of legislation that includes disaster supplemental funding fully supporting land management agencies.

Earlier this month, we highlighted the need for significant investments to help land management agencies like the National Park Service and the Forest Service recover from recent natural disasters. Organizations like Outdoor Alliance have been advocating for the inclusion of public lands and waters in a disaster relief bill to ensure the full scope of natural disaster impacts is addressed. This funding is critical to addressing damages caused by Hurricane Helene and other extreme weather events and helping communities in these areas rebuild their outdoor economies.

As of last night, Congress released the text of a year-end funding package that fully meets the land management agencies’ requests to tackle the effects of natural disasters. This funding is essential for restoring access to public land units like the Blue Ridge Parkway—the most visited unit of the National Park System—which sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Helene. Jamie Ervin, Senior Policy Manager at Outdoor Alliance, said, "We are encouraged to see Congress prioritize funding for public lands and waters in this disaster relief package. Public lands are vital to our economy, outdoor recreation, and the local communities that rely on access to these lands. Ensuring they receive adequate funding, especially when they are profoundly affected by natural disasters, is essential. We encourage Congress to quickly pass the Continuing Resolution, including full funding for public lands in the disaster supplemental title."