Why IBO Supports the America the Beautiful Act
Idaho's public lands are one of our state's greatest competitive advantages. They support thriving businesses, attract talented workers, strengthen rural communities, and provide the outdoor experiences that define our way of life. But many of the roads, trails, campgrounds, boat launches, visitor centers, and other infrastructure that make these places accessible are aging and in need of repair.
That's why Idaho Business for the Outdoors supports the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act.
The legislation would reauthorize and strengthen the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, first established through the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020. The fund helps address billions of dollars in deferred maintenance across America's public lands and waters, ensuring visitors can safely access and enjoy the places that fuel local economies.
The America the Beautiful Act would also improve transparency, encourage public-private partnerships, modernize visitor infrastructure, and prioritize recreation projects such as trails, campgrounds, marinas, water access, and hunting and fishing opportunities.
IBO recognizes these investments are more than infrastructure improvements. They are investments in the businesses that depend on our outdoors.
Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver across the United States, contributing $1.3 trillion to the national economy and supporting 5.2 million jobs. Recreation on federal public lands and waters alone generates an estimated $351 million in economic activity every day. Much of this economic activity is driven by small businesses, including outfitters, guides, lodging providers, retailers, restaurants, manufacturers, and service providers that depend on healthy, accessible public lands to serve their customers.
Idaho is no exception.
From gateway communities near our national forests to businesses located in cities that benefit from outdoor recreation, companies across Idaho rely on well-maintained public lands. Safe trail systems, reliable campgrounds, maintained roads, accessible boat launches, and welcoming visitor facilities encourage recreation, extend tourism seasons, and improve the experiences that keep visitors returning year after year.
Investing in maintenance also makes good fiscal sense. Deferred maintenance only becomes more expensive over time. Addressing repairs before they become major failures helps protect taxpayer investments while reducing disruptions for visitors and businesses alike. According to the National Park Service, every federal dollar invested in park infrastructure generates approximately five dollars in economic activity, demonstrating that conservation and economic growth can go hand in hand.
The America the Beautiful Act reflects a practical, bipartisan approach to stewarding America's public lands. Rather than creating new public lands or changing how existing lands are managed, the legislation focuses on maintaining the infrastructure Americans already rely on while improving access for outdoor recreation.
At Idaho Business for the Outdoors, we believe protecting Idaho's outdoor assets is one of the smartest long-term investments we can make. Our members represent businesses from diverse industries and perspectives, but they share a common understanding: healthy public lands support healthy businesses.
As Congress considers the America the Beautiful Act, we encourage lawmakers to continue investing in the public lands and waters that sustain Idaho's economy, strengthen rural communities, and make our state an exceptional place to live, work, and do business. By maintaining the places that connect us to the outdoors, we are also investing in the businesses, workers, and communities that depend on them.