BUILD America 250 Act Aims to Improve National Park Infrastructure

The Facts -

Legislation Targets Infrastructure Overhaul in U.S. National Parks

"Americans overwhelmingly agree that our national parks are worth investing in so they can be protected and enjoyed for generations to come. This bill is a start but misses the mark." - Emily Douce, NPCA's Acting VP of Government Affairs

WASHINGTON, DC – A new legislative effort aims to address significant infrastructure needs in national parks across the United States. The bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act was recently put forward by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, proposing $1.8 billion to repair and enhance transportation systems within these cherished landscapes. Despite this increase of $149 million over the previous authorization from 2021, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) highlights that this funding still falls short of what is necessary due to inflation and rising visitor numbers, leaving parks with over $23 billion in needed repairs.

Should the bill pass, it would allocate $376 million annually on average to the Park Service under the Federal Lands Transportation Program, funding both upkeep of existing infrastructure and new projects. Notably, the bill includes a boost for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP), allocating $80 million annually, which is crucial for protecting both wildlife and motorists. This program, initially funded with $350 million for 35 projects across 30 states, has seen demand that far exceeds its resources, with requests totaling $500 million from over 60 entities in its inaugural period.

National parks see immense visitation numbers, with projections indicating 323 million visitors in 2025 alone. This influx generates significant economic benefits but also strains park infrastructure, leading to deteriorating roads, bridges, and facilities, thereby impacting visitor experiences and park sustainability.

The National Park Service manages a vast network of infrastructure, including 5,600 miles of paved roads and 1,338 bridges. Unfortunately, more than 46% of these roads and 68% of bridges are rated fair or poor. NPCA’s advocacy has historically secured significant funding for projects like the Grand Canyon's shuttle fleet replacement and Everglades’ Tamiami Trail enhancements.

Given that over 90% of park visitors travel by car, effective transportation infrastructure is crucial. Yet, the proposed slight funding increases coupled with potential budget cuts could further jeopardize these critical assets, underscoring the need for more robust investment from lawmakers to ensure safety and accessibility.

Key Provisions Affecting National Parks

• A $55 million annual allocation for the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program, targeting major park repairs, while removing Congress’s authority to add funds through annual bills.
• Provision of $1.63 billion to the Federal Lands Access Program to enhance state and local transportation and transit access to federal lands, including national parks.
• Continued support of $200 million yearly for grants aimed at fish passage improvements under roads, focusing on species like salmon.
• Elimination of matching fund requirements for Native American Tribes in competitive grant programs like the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program.

Emily Douce, Acting Vice President of Government Affairs for NPCA, states:

“We applaud this bipartisan legislation that provides modest funding increases for our national parks and the surrounding communities. However, it falls far short of what our national parks urgently need. Visitation continues to soar, yet millions of visitors are met with crumbling roads, failing bridges and aging and necessary transit systems. If not addressed, park roads, bridges and other transportation assets will lead to congestion, closures and safety risks. The impacts go well beyond a diminished visitor experience, further straining park staff, weakening local economies and jeopardizing the long-term health of these places.

"Our parks and communities are under real pressure. And Americans overwhelmingly agree that our national parks are worth investing in so they can be protected and enjoyed for generations to come. This bill is a start but misses the mark. We hope Congress will act with bold, sustained investment that meets the scale of the need as the bill moves through the House.”

Bart Melton, Senior Director of Wildlife Conservation Programs for NPCA, comments:

“Every year, thousands of preventable wildlife-vehicle collisions occur, including many in and near our national parks. Continuing our nation’s investment in the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which has significant bipartisan support, means safer roads for motorists and safer habitats for America’s wildlife. Expanding these protections requires innovative solutions and significant investment.

“While we are thankful that the draft bill maintains the bipartisan pilot grant program and moderately increases funding, we are a long way from meeting project demand. As negotiations continue, NPCA encourages Congress to significantly expand investment in the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program to account for on-the-ground demand and inflation.”

About The National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its nearly 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.

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