Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
PHOTO / LAURIE SCHREIBER
Despite a $65 million backlog of deferred maintenance projects, Acadia National Park crews continued to upgrade various hiking trails this past summer. Seen here is one of the trailheads at the foot of Beech Mountain.
A U.S. Senate committee has approved a bill that could help Acadia National Park fund its backlog of deferred maintenance work.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday endorsed the Restore Our Parks Act, which would help fund $12 billion in overdue upkeep throughout the national park system, according to a news release.
The bill next heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.
U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, introduced the bill earlier this year with U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Mark Warner, D-Va., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
“Deferred maintenance is a huge challenge for our national parks, and the problem grows every day we don’t do something about it,” David MacDonald, president of Friends of Acadia, said in the release.
“Acadia National Park, which hosts 3.5 million visits annually, has more than $65 million of delayed repairs to trails, roads, bridges, water systems, and buildings that are critical to the public’s enjoyment of the park. The Restore Our Parks Act would allow timely investments in parks like Acadia to ensure that they remain national treasures and local economic generators now and in the future.”
The act is supported by a bipartisan group of 44 senators and the Interior Department, and would establish the “National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund” to reduce the maintenance backlog by allocating some existing revenue the government receives from energy development. The funding could amount to as much as $1.3 billion annually for the next five years.
“Stewardship of our public lands is not a partisan issue, which is why I’m pleased that the Restore Our Parks Act passed our Committee with strong bipartisan support,” King said in the release.
Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, said the act represents a significant investment, particularly as national parks face deal with aging infrastructure and increasing numbers of visitors.
As the number at Acadia continues to rise, there's an ever-greater urgency to address the park’s backlog on basic infrastructure, park officials said during a press event in September 2018. That includes everything from upgraded to restrooms a new visitor center. With 86 miles of roads, 17 public water systems, 158 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads and four campgrounds, much of the deferred maintenance is below the surface, including things like culverts and wastewater systems.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee also approved legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was permanently reauthorized as part of the public lands package in early March. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act was introduced in April by King, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins R-Maine, and a bipartisan group of 12 other senators.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn More
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn More
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments