Murkowski Co-Sponsors America the Beautiful Act to Support National Parks and Public Lands
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) co-sponsored the America the Beautiful Act. This legislation that reauthorizes and strengthens the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) that was signed into law by President Trump in 2020, which bolsters staff and visitor safety initiatives and address maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands.
“Alaska’s national parks are the crown jewel of NPS, with visitors traveling across the globe to take in the spacious and scenic beauty,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation ensures these spaces remain a safe and enjoyable testament to America’s natural splendor.”
Background:
The “America the Beautiful Act” reauthorizes the LRF for through 2033 and increases funding to $2 billion per year to help address the maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands. Currently, the maintenance backlog for each agency is as follows:
- U.S. Park Service: $23.26 billion
- U.S. Forest Service: $8.695 billion
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: $2.65 billion
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management: $5.72 billion
- U.S. Bureau of Indian Education: $804.5 million
