Congress One Step Closer to Tackling Long-Overdue Repair Needs in National Parks

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) introduced the Great American Outdoors Act 250, which would provide an additional $6.6 billion over five years to address our parks’ crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated drinking and wastewater systems and many more critical repair needs. For decades, National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and hundreds of thousands of park supporters have fought for funding to fix our national parks, and we applaud this bipartisan effort to extend critical maintenance funding for national parks and public lands across the country.

The Great American Outdoors Act 250 extends funding for maintenance and repair projects – originally established as the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund in the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act. This fund has supported more than 600 high-priority repair projects, generated more than $8 billion for local economies and supported more than 72,000 jobs nationwide. The Park Service has restored walkways at the Statue of Liberty, replaced a failing water system in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and upgraded campgrounds in Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Parks, among countless other projects. This bill will ensure substantial federal funding can continue to address the Park System’s deferred maintenance backlog that has reached more than $23 billion.

The bill also codifies and expands recent changes to the Park Service’s non-resident fee policy. After implementation challenges caused confusion, delays and longer wait times at some of the busiest national parks, NPCA called for a pause until impacts on park staff and visitors could be addressed. With visitation rising this summer, we are concerned that expanding the policy before resolving these issues risks making them worse. National parks should be welcoming and accessible to all visitors. Higher fees are not a substitute for the robust federal funding needed to support park operations and maintenance. Congress must provide the investment necessary to protect and sustain these treasured places.

NPCA remains hopeful that ongoing negotiations among park champions in the House and Senate will produce the best bill for repairing our parks’ infrastructure while ensuring the protection of park resources and access for all visitors. We look forward to working with members of Congress to get a final bill over the finish line.

Statement by Tiernan Sittenfeld, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):

“NPCA commends the bipartisan leadership of Congressmen Westerman and Huffman to secure critical resources to address maintenance needs across our Park System. We urge Congress to follow their lead and work together to pass a bill that fixes our national parks and keeps them accessible and welcoming for all.

“Tackling our national parks’ maintenance backlog has never been more urgent. As visitation continues to surge, so do repair needs. Trails, bridges, roads, campgrounds, visitor centers and the systems that keep parks running have long been falling into disrepair. With the nation’s 250th anniversary just weeks away, we must renew our commitment to preserving these places in perpetuity.

“Dedicated maintenance funding has supported hundreds of critical repairs, improved safety and visitor experiences and strengthened local economies across the country. But that progress is at risk. Repair needs continue to grow while the Park Service has lost nearly a quarter of its workforce since January 2025. Without sustained funding and staffing, our parks risk falling further behind.“

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.