In a recent News & Insights report, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) called for the industry to help protect the national parks and public lands that its customers love.
As the RV industry prepares for a busy season of travel, RVIA is launching a critical advocacy initiative to protect the very foundation of the RV lifestyle: our national parks and public lands. RVIA’s latest Call to Action is now live, and the association said it needs every manufacturer, supplier, dealer and campground to raise their voice in support of the America the Beautiful Act (S. 1547).
Please note, for those who live in Congressman Rudy Yakym’s District (covering Elkhart, Indiana), RVIA asks that you to add your name to this separate petition indicating your support. Congressman Yakym is a strong supporter of the RV industry, working closely with his constituents and RV Industry Association staff on many issues. Because of this longstanding relationship, RVIA will collect support signatures throughout its outreach push and send Rudy and the Indiana Senators a separate letter with every participant’s support denoted.
The Issue: A $40 Billion Maintenance Backlog
The infrastructure on our public lands — the roads, trails, water systems, and campgrounds our customers rely on — was largely built in the 1950s and 60s. Today, these assets are deteriorating at scale. While the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) was created in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act to tackle these repairs, the maintenance backlog still exceeds $40 billion. Without action, this program will lie dormant, repairs will become more expensive and the outdoor spaces that drive our industry will continue to crumble.
RVIA’s Ask: Reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund
The RV Industry Association is working directly with its members, as well as dealer and campground associations, to advocate for the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act. This legislation is designed to strengthen and extend the Legacy Restoration Fund to ensure our public lands remain accessible and safe. Specifically, the bill will:
- Reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund for 8 years, extending its impact through 2033.
- Increase annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion.
- Prioritize projects with a 15 percent stakeholder match to maximize every dollar.
- Streamline assets by requiring agencies to dispose of unneeded infrastructure.
Why Your Participation is Critical
The Legacy Restoration Fund is a proven economic engine, yielding approximately $8 billion in value to the U.S. economy from National Park Service projects alone. For the RV industry, this is about more than just maintaining public lands and access; it is about the customer experience. When campgrounds are modernized and roads are paved, more Americans are inspired to buy RVs, visit dealerships and book stays at your parks.
“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,” RVIA said.
Please use this link to reach out to your representative.
For questions, please contact the RV Industry Association’s Legislative Associate Gianna Dinnini at [email protected].
