Senators introduce bill to use energy revenues for national park restoration

A group of U.S. Senators introduced Wednesday the National Park Restoration Act, which would establish creates the National Park Restoration Fund to provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance needs at national parks using revenue from energy production on federal lands

The legislation would provide mandatory funding for the maintenance backlog in addition to the annual appropriations for operations and construction at the National Park Service.

The fund would receive 50 percent of onshore and offshore revenues from energy production on federal lands over expected amounts not already allocated to other purposes. Existing payments to states, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Reclamation Fund and all other existing uses of onshore and offshore revenues would receive full funding before the National Park Restoration Fund receives any funding.

“The significance of the proposal we are introducing today is that, to my knowledge, it has never happened before — the president, his Office of Management and Budget and his Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke are recommending we provide mandatory funding paid for by revenues from energy production on federal lands for the national park maintenance backlog,” Sen. Alexander (R-TN), who introduced the bill along with 11 other senators, said. “This is something that everyone who cares about our national parks –which documentary maker Ken Burns calls, ‘America’s best idea’ – should welcome and support.”

Sens. Angus King (I-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) Joe Manchin (D- WV), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Representatives Mike Simpson (R-ID), and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) also introduced the bill.

“We will put our heads together and come out with the best possible bill – something President Trump can continue to support, and the Senate and House of Representatives can pass,” Alexander said. “Hopefully we can sign a bill into law that will allow us to go to work on the maintenance backlog by the end of the year. …We must all work together to restore our national treasures so future generations have the same opportunity to enjoy them as we have.”