You are here

Maintenance Backlog Reaches $11.9 Billion, National Park Service Says

Share

Although increased congressional funding has been committed ahead of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary celebration, “the annual bill for maintenance in America’s national parks is still almost twice as much as is appropriated,” Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said.

The agency last week announced an $11.93 billion deferred maintenance backlog for Fiscal Year 2015 that affects nearly every park unit. That number is $440 million higher than the previous year, but Jarvis said in a release that funding is “moving in the right direction” to keep pace with maintenance responsibilities.

Congressional allocation for the National Park Service in 2016 includes an additional $90 million for non-transportation maintenance. Congress also passed a new highway bill that will provide a $28 million increase for transportation projects in parks this year. Funding for transportation-related maintenance and construction will continue to rise, by $8 million per year for five years, until it reaches $300 million per year in 2020.

Some backlog items were also addressed as part of $48 million in Centennial Challenge projects, which includes money from Congress and matching funds from 90 park partners.

Even though more maintenance items had to be deferred in 2015, Director Jarvis said these increases from Congress are welcome as part of a multifaceted approach to end the growth of deferred maintenance and eventually have enough resources to keep pace with annual maintenance responsibilities.

“We have a lot yet to do but I think everything is moving in the right direction,” Jarvis said. “Congress has pitched in with base funding and with additional funds for the Centennial Challenge – a program that enables us to leverage private and nonprofit partner contributions to complete important projects that improve visitor services in parks. There is more Congress can do through the Centennial Act now under consideration, including short-term mandatory appropriations.”

Deferred maintenance is necessary work – performed on infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, visitor centers, trails and campgrounds – that has been delayed for more than one year. Aging facilities, increasing use of park facilities and scarce resources contribute to the growing backlog.

At the National Parks Conservation Association, President Theresa Pierno said the latest figure amply demonstrates that the National Park Service continues to be underfunded.

“A nearly $12 billion maintenance backlog is further proof that the National Park Service does not have the funding and resources it needs to protect America’s favorite places. And this comes at a time when record-breaking crowds are visiting our national parks. This is the centennial year of the National Park Service. If Congress doesn’t make our parks a national priority in the federal budget now, then when?" she said in a prepared statement. "While Congress did begin to reverse years of declining funding for our national parks with its latest spending bill, the reality is that years of underfunding have significantly harmed our parks.

“The best gift Congress can give to the Park Service on its 100th anniversary is to make sure this year’s budget includes significant increases to the agency’s maintenance and operations accounts,” Ms. Pierno continued. “The Park Service needs these resources to tackle the backlog, fill vacant ranger positions and put parks on the best path toward another century of service.”

As evidence of the needs, Ms. Pierno pointed to needed structural repairs at Santa Fe National Historic Trail, visitor center rehabilitation at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and demolition of unsafe structures that pose a public safety danger due to hazardous building materials they contain at Cape Cod National Seashore.

Nearly every unit in the National Park System has maintenance items that have been deferred. Regions regularly evaluate and prioritize project submissions to ensure available dollars make a difference, and will be using the new funds to address the highest priorities. For details about deferred maintenance at a particular national park, visit go.nps.gov/deferredmaint and click on the NPS Asset Inventory Summary by Park report.

Comments

"Congressional allocation for the National Park Service in 2016 includes an additional $90 million for non-transportation maintenance. Congress also passed a new highway bill that will provide a $28 million increase for transportation projects in parks this year. Funding for transportation-related maintenance and construction will continue to rise, by $8 million per year for five years, until it reaches $300 million per year in 2020."

Meanwhile, a SINGLE F-35 fighter (Navy version) costs $337,000,000.  Congress has demanded that they be placed into service even though they have, and still are, failing to meet operational standards and our military leaders tried valiantly to stop the program because it's not what's actually needed. 


It doesn't matter how much money taxpayers give Jarvis your air force analogy will need replacing for a naval one, eg leaking ship.  Jarvis is the money begger.  Maybe he can hit up another beer company or perhaps a medical marijuana syndicate for advertising.  I hear they've got millions with no where to stash it.


Jees, backpacker, your quips are cute but your dislike of the leadership of the NPS isn't.  You need to get over the backcountry fee in Smokies.  Lots of park areas have similar fees.  They represent an attempt to close the gap between costs and appropriations.  It's what you would do were you in the position that many park superintendents find thenselves.  But, then again, you aren't in that position so your criticism rings hollow.


Rick Smith,

This is about Jarvis constantly screaming for funds.  ANd that is all he does.  The Smokies issue just opened people's eyes to how Jarvis and the NPS operates.  The indian trader scandal, Ranger Danno scandal, and on and on came into my radar as a result.  And NPT has documented the NPS hierarchy and some of their deceptive, retributive and underhanded practices.  You guys must have to go to a school to become that practiced.  So I am thankful that part of it hit home for me so my eyes could be opened to how you guys operate in other areas.   The "teflon" coating that used to cover the NPS mgmt has been peeling as a result of having your hands caught in all these aforementioned cookie jars.  I now know that they openly manipulate data to their advantage in the form of visitation numbers.  So why wouldn't they do it elsewhere?  I realize it must be uncomfortable to have your perception changed  but I believe it reflects the leadership of the agency.


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.