LEGISLATION SPOTLIGHT – America the Beautiful Act

Why It Matters: Each year, national parks welcome more than 330 million visitors, placing heavy demands on trails, roads, and visitor facilities. Many of these park assets are decades old and in need of repair or replacement, resulting in a $23 billion backlog of maintenance needs across the country. The ATBA would provide $2 billion annually to consistently address priority needs that protect park resources and ensure safe experiences for visitors.

Local Impact: At Cuyahoga Valley National Park, GAOA funds were deployed to stabilize the riverbank along the Towpath Trail and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. If you have been to Lock 29 in the past year, then you have seen this legislation in action!

How You Can Help: Congress has an opportunity to build on the proven success of GAOA by passing the bipartisan ATBA. We are grateful that Ohio’s Senators Husted and Moreno have signed on as co-sponsors of the ATBA — if you are a national park supporter living in another state, please urge your Senators to do the same!

Recent Advocacy Updates

Updated as of February 18, 2026

• Legacy Restoration Fund: Originally established through the Great American Outdoors Act, the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) has provided $6.5 billion to critical park infrastructure projects. At CVNP, this funding was deployed to in high priority areas along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Congress has an opportunity to extend the LRF by passing the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act.

What We Are Advocating For

• Protecting Park Funding: Support robust federal and state funding for the National Park Service and CVNP.
• Investing in Infrastructure & Access: Protect and preserve critical park amenities, including natural resources, visitor amenities, and historic structures.
• Restoring the Cuyahoga River & Ecosystems: Champion green infrastructure projects, sustainable land management, and other clean water initiatives that protect the crown jewel of CVNP.
• Ensuring Shared Stewardship: Create a network of park stewards and expand access to green space and equitable outdoor experiences across Northeast Ohio.

Ways to Get Involved

• Contact Congress: Make your support for national parks known! Quickly find contact information for your U.S. Senators and Representatives at Congress.gov. 
• Contact your State Leaders: Reach out to your state legislators in the Ohio House and Ohio Senate to ensure they understand the importance of CVNP as a cultural and economic driver for our state and region.
• Stay Informed: The Conservancy shares our latest advocacy updates, actions, and news on how policy changes are affecting CVNP in our bi-weekly e-newsletter. Sign up today!

For questions and more ways to help, contact Kimberly LoVano, Director of Community Engagement & Public Programs, at [email protected].