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May 4, 2025

King backs measure to fund deferred maintenance projects at national parks 

By Tina Fischer

U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Steve Daines, R-Montana, introduced legislation to address a backlog of maintenance issues at national parks and public lands. 

The America the Beautiful act would reauthorize the park service Legacy and Restoration Fund through 2033 and increase funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion per year. 

The tab for deferred maintenance totals $48 billion, the senators said. 

The bill allows the agencies to move forward with next year’s projects under a continuing resolution, and requires agencies to keep a two-year running list of projects. It also seeks to enhance public donations by requiring park services to run public awareness campaigns. 

Official portrait Angus King
Courtesy / Office of U.S. Sen. Angus King
U.S. Sen. Angus King

King and Daines lead the senate subcommittee on national parks. King first introduced the bipartisan bill to establish the fund in 2018 by allocating existing revenues generated from energy development. It was passed in the 2020 as part of the Great American Outdoors Act, and now requires reauthorization.

Maintenance needs at the U.S. Park Service are the highest, at $23.26 billion, according to a statement from King’s office.

To address the backlog, the Forest Service requires $8.7 billion, and Fish and Wildlife $2.65 billion. The Bureau of Land Management requires an additional $5.7 billion, and the Bureau of Indian Education needs $804.5 million.

“People travel from across the globe to experience the natural beauty of America’s public lands,” said King. “Deferred repairs on aging infrastructure like roads and trails can become unsafe and diminish the visitor experience. This is an important step forward in creating lasting protections for our public lands and continues to demonstrate that stewardship is not partisan.”

Eric Stiles, president and CEO of the Friends of Acadia, which raises money for Acadia National Park, said the funding is essential to keeping the park running smoothly.

"The reauthorization of this bill will allow Acadia National Park to continue to make progress against a long list of needed projects that are essential for protecting resources and elevating the visitor experience," Stiles said. "With nearly 4 million visits to Acadia in 2024 alone, and over 330 million to national parks nationwide, continued investment to maintain park infrastructure is critical."  

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