WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1957, the Great American Outdoors Act. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law.

“Eastern North Carolinians understand the importance of conservation, considering the beautiful land and shorelines that we are so fortunate to enjoy. Our district has a tremendous amount of federal lands and providing the money that they need to properly function is a priority of mine. I am proud to support this landmark legislation that will ensure the many federal lands in our district will permanently have the funding they need to operate,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03).

The Great American Outdoors Act permanently funds the Land and Water Conversation Fund (LWCF) and will allow work to begin on a nearly $12 billion backlog of maintenance projects on federal lands, including more than $459 million in North Carolina’s national parks. In North Carolina’s Third Congressional District, which Murphy represents, Cape Hatteras National Seashore will receive $49,834,106, and Cape Lookout National Seashore will receive $27,718,515 as a result of this legislation. The LWCF provides money for the following federal lands in the Third District:

National Forests

• Croatan National Forest

National Wildlife Refuges

• Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
• Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
• Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
• Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
• Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
• Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
• Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
• Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
• Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge

National Parks

• Cape Hatteras National Seashore
• Cape Lookout National Seashore
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
• Wright Brothers National Memorial