Great American Outdoors Act
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA, Public Law 116-152) was signed into law on August 4, 2020, providing major investments to address deferred maintenance needs, increase recreational access to our public lands, and conserve these lands and waters for future generations. GAOA established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and provided mandatory appropriations for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Between 2021 – 2025, BLM received 5%, or $95 million, of GAOA LRF funding each year for a total of $475 million across five years. GAOA LRF funds infrastructure projects that improve assets at BLM public lands sites, helping to expand recreation access for visitors; restore backbone infrastructure like roads, bridges and dams; and support wildland firefighters and law enforcement officials who work on these lands.
GAOA Legacy Restoration Fund BLM Project Spotlights
The project spotlights below highlight a few of the nearly 150 GAOA LRF-funded projects on BLM lands. To learn more about GAOA LRF projects improving assets on BLM public lands, check out the GAOA LRF Interactive Project Map. For more information about BLM projects where construction is completed, visit the GAOA LRF Completed Construction Projects StoryMap.
Western Montana District, Montana
Located just north of Yellowstone National Park, the Carbella Boat Launch at the Carbella Recreation Site is a primary take-out for white water rafting on the Yellowstone River. This project replaced an aging and problematic concrete plank launch with a new monolithic concrete ramp, creating a safer and more user-friendly boat launch for recreationists.
Albuquerque District, New Mexico
The 120-acre Socorro Nature Area in the Rio Grande Bosque includes a nature walk with interpretive signs, picnic tables, a group shelter, and an amphitheater. This project replaced fencing, shelters, wooden viewing decks, picnic tables, benches, and kiosks to eliminate safety hazards and improve accessibility, supporting visitor recreation for years to come.
Anchorge District, Alaska
Workers broke ground in June on a rehabilitation project to restore the 58-year-old Sourdough Creek Campground in Alaska is a key destination for access to the popular Gulkana Wild and Scenic River. This project replaced the old Sourdough Campground bridge, which was deteriorated, unsafe, and had restricted access because it could not carry highway legal loads. The new bridge has improved design to accommodate the river floodway and a higher load rating, restoring access to the campsites and boat launch.
Nevada Telecommunications Network, Nevada
The BLM oversees numerous communication sites that support fire suppression, law enforcement, rescue operations, and employee safety. This project is mitigating safety hazards and deficiencies at 30 such sites in Nevada to improve the reliability of the communication system in the state, bringing all 30 sites back into compliance with current safety and operational standards.
BLM GAOA News & Highlights
June 10, 2026: Boating paradise: GAOA funding enhances popular recreation site along Montana’s Yellowstone River
Carbella Recreation Site recently received essential upgrades to its boat launch on the Yellowstone River that make it more accessible to the public. The enhancements, made possible with the help of GAOA LRF funding, will ensure this slice of heaven continues to welcome users long into the future.
August 1, 2025: The Great American Outdoors Act: Five years of transforming public lands
In the five years since the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law in 2020, this landmark legislation has provided significant resources for federal land management agencies – including the BLM – to improve public lands and waters for the benefit of visitors and local communities nationwide.