WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts commended the House Natural Resources Committee for passing legislation today to address the multibillion-dollar repair backlog at National Park Service sites across the country. Marcia Argust, who directs Pew’s campaign to restore America’s parks, issued the following statement:
“Our national parks need help, and today they are one step closer to receiving it with the House Natural Resources Committee’s approval of the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act. This legislation would direct up to $6.5 billion over five years to address priority repairs that have been postponed, often for years, due to inconsistent funding.
“The National Park Service’s $11.6 billion repair list includes deteriorating historic buildings and memorials, outdated electrical and water systems, crumbling trails and roads, and dilapidated visitor centers and campgrounds.
“Left unattended, these problems lead to more costly repairs down the road and in some cases put our national treasures and history at risk of not being preserved for future generations.
“Today, Republican and Democratic members of the committee joined forces to move legislation they recognize as a wise investment for park resources, preserving our nation’s history and local economies. When national parks are accessible and in good condition, people visit and spend. And when they spend—more than $18 billion last year alone—businesses are bolstered, jobs are created, and communities are strengthened.”
More information on deferred maintenance in national parks is available at pewtrusts.org/en/projects/restore-americas-parks.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Learn more at pewtrusts.org.