Friday, November 22, 2024 In a landmark move aimed at preserving and enhancing the appeal of America’s national parks, U.S. Senators have introduced the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act , promising to extend vital funding for the maintenance and restoration of aging park infrastructure.
This initiative is set to inject $11.2 billion over eight years into the National Park System, directly benefiting its extensive network of iconic destinations that attract millions of visitors annually. For decades, national parks have served as treasured tourism destinations, offering unparalleled natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor experiences.
The newly proposed legislation seeks to ensure that these cherished places remain accessible, safe, and welcoming for future generations of travelers. Introduced by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mark Warner (D-VA), the bill aims to address long-standing maintenance issues, including crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated water systems, and unsafe trails. Despite previous funding efforts, including the historic Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) of 2020, the deferred maintenance backlog for the National Park System still exceeds $23 billion.
Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), highlighted the significance of this funding for tourism: “Millions of people flock to national parks every year to experience some of our nation’s best landsc.
