U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured $825 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to help address the National Park maintenance backlog.
The National Park Service is currently suffering from an $11 billion maintenance backlog, impacting trail upkeep, cleanliness of facilities and the quality of campgrounds.
“Montana’s National Parks are part of what makes America special,” said Daines. “These critical funds will help protect Montana’s national treasures and support our outdoor economy.”
Daines also secured additional Montana wins in appropriations bills, including provisions to fight Montana’s meth epidemic, prevent school violence, protect the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), fund the Superfund program and strengthen funding for Indian tribes.
The appropriations bills will now move to the floor of the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Below are some of the highlights secured by Daines in the bills passed by the Committee.
Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:
- Daines secured funding to fight the Montana methamphetamine epidemic. Read more about Daines’ efforts to combat meth use in Montana HERE.
- Daines secured a five percent set-aside for Indian tribes within the Crime Victims Fund. Read more about Daines’ efforts to strengthen tribal security HERE.
- Daines secured $100 million to help prevent violence in schools. Read more about Daines’ efforts to stop school violence HERE.
Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:
- Daines secured $825 million ($15 million above 2018 enacted levels) for Park Operations to help address the National Parks backlog. Read more about Daines’ efforts to address the National Parks backlog HERE.
- Daines secured $425 million in funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The funding will go to Montana projects, including Everson Bench, Montana Wildlife Refuge, Kootenai Forestland, Beavertail, Swan Range and Clearwater-Blackfoot.
- Daines secured funding for the Superfund program along with language encouraging improvements to that program to make it more efficient and effective. Read more about Daines’ efforts to support Superfund cleanups in Montana HERE.
- Daines secured funding for Native American programs serving Montana tribes, including public safety and justice, road maintenance, school repairs and construction, the Indian Health Service, as well as funding for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System.
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