Great American Outdoors Act to Fund Maintenance Projects at Fire Island National Parks

President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law on August 4, 2020, which guarantees funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for national parks, including our very own Fire Island parks.

This new legislation will fund much needed maintenance projects at five Fire Island national parks – including The William Floyd Estate, Fire Island Lighthouse and the Carrington Main House and Cottage, which are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It will also allow for completion of replacing the bulkhead at Watch Hill and dredge the boat channels to Sailors Haven Marina, Watch Hill, and Talisman.

The Great American Outdoors Act will provide $900 million a year to the Land and Water Conservation Fund for federal land use projects and $9.5 billion over five years.

“I think the funding mechanisms to restore, repair and rehab the projects weren’t there,” said Fire Island National Seashore superintendent Alex Romero. “The act is that funding stream that will allow us to address our deferred maintenance systems.” He added, “The maintenance backlog in the National Park system is very long.”

Romero hosted officials such as congressman Lee Zeldin’s district director Mark Woolley, Sen. Charles Schumer’s Long Island regional director Garrett W. Armwood, deputy Suffolk County executive Lisa Black and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s regional representative Theresa Santoro for a familiarization tour highlighting all the maintenance issues needed on Fire Island.

Once the specific issues are submitted and approved, a base budget of $5,203,000 will be allocated for the work.

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