The Rollout of 2021’s Great American Outdoors Act Projects

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was signed into law in August 2020, providing $9.5 billion to address the maintenance backlog on federally managed public lands through 2025. Although there have been some challenges with its implementation thus far, we are now starting to see some much-needed maintenance projects getting queued up.
 
Here is a quick brief on a few of our favorite GAOA-funded projects that are being lined up this year by the US Forest Service.
 
Flathead River (MT) access site and access road deferred maintenance
With the Flathead’s Wild and Scenic Management Plan being re-written, it is a great time to invest in maintaining access to the three forks of the river on Flathead National Forest. 
 
Middle Fork Salmon River (ID) access road repairs and Main Salmon River (ID) river access site improvements
Two of our nation’s premiere Wild and Scenic Rivers will benefit from the Salmon-Challis National Forests’ projects to repair the road to the Middle Fork’s Boundary Creek put-in and improve access sites along the Main Salmon River.
 
Lochsa and Salmon River (ID) parking area realignment and boating facility repairs
The Lochsa River and Salmon River corridors are beloved destinations for river enthusiasts in the Northern Rockies. This project on the Nez Perce National Forest will improve six access sites and help provide a great experience for visitors. 
 
Six Rivers National Forest (CA) river access and boat ramp improvements
Named for the Eel, Van Duzen, Klamath, Trinity, Mad, and Smith rivers, Six Rivers National Forest also manages part of the Salmon River (California) and includes the spectacular Smith River National Recreation Area. This small project will improve, repair, and restore some of the Forest’s many historic river access sites.
 
Rogue River (OR) Bear Camp Road improvement
Just about everyone who has paddled the lower Rogue has shuttled back to the put-in on the Bear Camp Road on the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest and adjacent BLM-managed public lands. This project will repair and the road surface and should help make those shuttles a smoother ride.

Mountains to Sound Greenway-Heritage Area Multi Asset Recreation Investment Corridor​ and Mountain Loop Highway Corridor Enhancement (WA)

These projects will address a number of minor maintenance issues and upgrades at recreational sites, including those used by whitewater paddlers, within the Mountains to Sound Greenway-National Heritage Area that include the North, Middle, and South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. The Mountain Loop Highway Corridor Enhancement includes sites on the Sauk Wild and Scenic River and South Fork of the Stillaguamish.