The National Parks Conservation Association is cheering the introduction of a bill to keep fixing aging infrastructure in national parks across the United States.
America the Beautiful Act, which will extend critical park maintenance funding, was introduced by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Angus King of Maine, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Mark Warner of Virginia. The legislation would provide an additional $11.2 billion in the next eight years to address national parks’ crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated water systems and other critical repair needs.
“Millions of people flock to national parks every year to experience some of our nation’s best landscapes and most significant stories. National parks are icons of our country, and Americans love them. They also want to see them supported. And this bill is a promise that we will continue to take care of the places that mean so much to so many people,” said NPCA President and CEO Theresa Pierno.
For decades, NPCA and hundreds of thousands of park supporters have fought for funding to improve national parks, and the organization is seeing major progress that members of Congress on both sides of the aisle agree should continue.
“NPCA has worked tirelessly with our congressional champions and many partners and communities across the country to make possible this reinvestment in our national parks and public lands. Our national parks need and deserve this investment, and so do all the people who care for these places,” Pierno said.
In 2020, park supporters celebrated a historic moment for national parks with the passage of the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), the largest investment made in national parks and public lands in more than 50 years. The federal funding of up to $6.65 billion in the next five years dedicated to national parks has funded more than 400 critical repair and maintenance projects across the National Park System, including fixing damaged trails at Mammoth Cave, replacing a failing water system at Grand Canyon, rehabilitating staff housing at Glacier Bay and Great Sand Dunes, and enhancing campgrounds at Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Mount Rainier.
Shenandoah National Park benefitted from the funding, which made possible repairs to Skyline Drive.
The funding contributed $8 billion in economic output and created more than 72,500 jobs, often utilizing local contractors in the process. The funding is proof that investing in national parks creates benefits for all.
The Great American Outdoors Act’s national park and public lands maintenance funding is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025, which will spell trouble for national parks with a maintenance backlog of $23 billion. Despite the progress Great American Outdoors Act has made, the challenge persists, and the cost of routine maintenance needs simply outpaces annual funding from Congress.
“Great American Outdoors Act successes have been mounting for years, as hundreds of park repair projects have been addressed and visitor experience and safety improved for millions. National parks in every state have benefited from this funding. And local businesses and economies are reaping the benefits every day from this investment in our parks. Prioritizing our national parks and extending this commonsense funding is something that everyone can get behind,” Pierno said.
Extending maintenance funding for national parks is fundamental for them to continue to exist for the next generation. Members of Congress must work together to get the new legislation over the finish line.
“With Sens. Steve Daines, Angus King, Kevin Cramer and Mark Warner’s leadership, our parks will be one step closer to being ready for America’s 250th anniversary of our country’s independence and the millions of visitors who will visit them in our sesquicentennial year,” Pierno said.
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding America‘s national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve the nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations.
“Our parks are not something we should ever take for granted. These places are worth protecting with all our power. Today was a big step, and we look forward to working with Congress to extend this funding to fix more national parks, so we can leave a legacy that our parks deserve,” Pierno said.
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Rebecca Barnabi
