Tell Congress: Protect Boating Access Through the Legacy Restoration Fund

America's public lands and waters are central to recreational boating, fishing, and the outdoor experiences millions of families enjoy each year. But access to these places depends on the infrastructure that makes recreation possible - including boat ramps, docks, marinas, roads, campgrounds, and visitor facilities.

NMMA is urging the recreational boating community to take action through Boating United and ask Congress to pass the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act (H.R. 9250/S. 1547), which would reauthorize and strengthen the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.

The Legacy Restoration Fund was created through the Great American Outdoors Act to help address long-overdue maintenance needs across America's public lands and waters. Its authorization expired in September 2025, even as federal lands face an estimated $40 billion deferred maintenance backlog.

For boaters, these investments have a direct impact on whether they can safely and reliably get on the water.

New NMMA survey findings from 2,000 active U.S. boaters show the growing pressure on recreation infrastructure. Eighty-five percent of boat owners report congestion at their primary access point, while 83 percent say congestion limits their ability to go boating at least sometimes. At the same time, 93 percent say improved access would increase the amount of time they spend on the water with family and friends.

These findings underscore a central goal of NMMA's Waterways Access Initiative: ensuring that America's recreation infrastructure keeps pace with the growing demand for time on the water.

Reauthorizing and strengthening the Legacy Restoration Fund would help modernize recreation infrastructure, expand boating and fishing access, address critical maintenance needs, support conservation, and strengthen the local communities and small businesses that depend on outdoor recreation.

As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Congress has an opportunity to make a lasting investment in America's public lands and waters.