National Parks Get a Big Win in Congress

© dionhinchcliffe via Flickr

Hooray for the parks! A final bipartisan vote in Congress has passed the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2010 (HR 2996). The act provides $32.2 billion for preservation, maintenance and research on the nation's public lands, as well as a large amount of operational dollars for the National Park Service.

The act allocates more than $2.2 billion to the park service for "expenses necessary for the management, operation, and maintenance of areas and facilities." Of that, $9.9 million will specifically go to the Everglades for planning and coordination of restoration projects. Another $98.6 million will be used for "maintenance, repair or rehabilitation projects for constructed assets, operation of the National Park Service automated facility management software system, and comprehensive facility condition assessments." Also, the national parks will receive $15 million in matching funds for Park Partnership signature projects, $68.4 million for recreational, natural, cultural and heritage programs, and $79.5 million for historic preservation.

The new law also authorizes Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to acquire land and waterways to support transportation and accommodation of visitors to Ellis Island, Governors Island and Liberty Island.