The RV Industry Association (RVIA) has launched an advocacy campaign urging manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and campground operators to support the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act, legislation aimed at extending and strengthening funding for repairs and upgrades across national parks and public lands.
The initiative comes as the RV industry prepares for a busy travel season and amid concerns over aging infrastructure at campgrounds, roads, trails, and water systems used by RV travelers and outdoor recreation visitors.
According to the association, the maintenance backlog for public lands infrastructure now exceeds $40 billion.
The association said much of the infrastructure across public lands was built during the 1950s and 1960s and has deteriorated over time.
While the Legacy Restoration Fund was established in 2020 through the Great American Outdoors Act to address repairs, the program requires reauthorization to continue operating at scale.
The America the Beautiful Act, identified as S. 1547, would reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund for eight years through 2033. The legislation would also increase annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion, according to the announcement.
Additional provisions in the bill include prioritizing projects with a 15% stakeholder match and requiring agencies to dispose of unneeded infrastructure assets to streamline maintenance responsibilities.
The association is coordinating its outreach effort with dealer and campground associations and is encouraging industry stakeholders to contact members of Congress in support of the legislation.
The campaign also includes a separate petition drive for residents within Congressman Rudy Yakym’s district in Elkhart, Indiana. The RVIA described Yakym as a longtime supporter of the RV industry and said signatures collected during the outreach effort would be included in a separate letter sent to Yakym and Indiana senators.
According to the association, National Park Service projects funded through the Legacy Restoration Fund have generated approximately $8 billion in economic value for the U.S. economy. Maintaining and modernizing public lands infrastructure directly affects customer experiences tied to RV travel, campground stays and outdoor recreation.
“We must act now to ensure the great outdoors remains accessible. By participating in this effort, you are protecting the future of the RV lifestyle and the local economies that rely on outdoor recreation,” the association states in a News and Insights report of RVIA on May 7.