Momentum Builds to Address National Park Maintenance Needs

Washington, DC – Today, the House Natural Resource Committee passed H.R. 6510, the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act introduced by U.S. Representative and Committee Chairman, Rob Bishop (R-UT) and committee Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), which will provide funding to repair aging infrastructure (PDF) in America’s more than 400 national park sites. This legislation dedicates up to $6.5 billion to public lands infrastructure repairs over five years. Eighty percent of these funds are dedicated to the National Park Service, which would fund most of our parks’ high priority maintenance projects.

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association:

“Our country’s national parks hold some of America’s most precious natural and cultural resources from Gettysburg to Yellowstone to the Everglades. Unfortunately, due to years of funding shortfalls, these treasured places are plagued by crumbling roads and trails, decaying park facilities, and outdated water pipelines – nearly $12 billion in needed repairs across more than 400 national park sites. The Restore our Parks and Public Lands Act comes at a critical time for our National Park System.

“We commend the leadership of Representatives Bishop and Grijalva and the committee’s support for this bill that makes a strong investment in our national parks that they desperately need and deserve. The overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill demonstrates the value and power our national parks have for bringing people together and bridging differences. For years, NPCA has urged lawmakers to pass such legislation, and we will continue to work with Congress to deliver a long-term solution for our parks’ maintenance needs so that future generations have the opportunity to visit and learn from our nation’s natural and historic wonders.”

###

About National Parks Conservation Association Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.3 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.