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| Above, the Colorado River meanders through the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The $12 billion backlog in deferred maintenance and repairs at out national parks is being addressed by a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate.
According to Grand Canyon News:
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — As the National Park Service faces an uncertain budgetary future, two senators introduced a bi-partisan bill aimed at chiseling away the agency’s $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog.
Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the National Park Service Legacy Act March 28. The bill calls for Congress to make appropriations specifically aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating the backlog. If signed, the legislation would appropriate $50 million per year from 2018-2020; $150 million per year in 2021-2023; $250 million for 2024-2026; and $500 million per year for 2027-2047. The appropriations would be funded by revenue the government receives from oil and natural gas royalties.
“More than 100 years after the founding of the National Park Service, our park system remains in a critical state of disrepair,” Warner said. “While we’ve heard much talk here in Washington about infrastructure spending, a great way to begin this work is by helping in the revitalization of our public lands.”
Warner said the investment would earn about $10 in economic activity for every public dollar invested.To read more, go here.
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