The C&O Canal Trust has joined the National Park Foundation, the National Park Friends Alliance, and 160 national park philanthropic partners in a letter urging Congress to pass the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act (S.1547 / H.R.9250) to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) — a critical U.S. government fund dedicated to the stewardship and maintenance of America’s greatest treasures.
The letter, addressed to Majority Leader Thune, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leader Jeffries, highlights the successes of the LRF since its creation under the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, and the urgent need for reauthorization following its expiration on September 30, 2025:
“The LRF provided $1.3 billion annually, totaling $6.5 billion over its five-year lifespan, to undertake nearly 400 priority infrastructure projects across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. This landmark investment in our national parks and public lands delivered measurable results and improvements to critical park infrastructure, including road repairs, trail and campground upgrades, restoration of historic structures, rehabilitation of utility systems, and modernization of visitor facilities.”
Like many of our nation’s treasured parks and public lands, the C&O Canal National Historical Park has faced a growing challenge: aging infrastructure that cannot keep pace with growing visitation. Without continued investment, this beloved park — and the adventure and refuge it provides — is at risk. At the C&O Canal, LRF investments have delivered tangible, lasting results. The stabilization and rehabilitation of the park’s historic stone Log Wall restored a critical section of the towpath, providing a reliable trail for millions of visitors. Further upstream, the LRF is supporting the repair and stabilization of Dam 5 – an essential component of the canal system that shapes miles of recreational water and protects the surrounding area.
The letter signatories make up a community committed to supporting, protecting, and enhancing America’s 433 national parks. Together, they provided over $720 million in private funds in 2025, serving as a force multiplier to federal investment in national parks.
The letter and list of supporters can be read here.