"Public Lands: National Park Boosters Encouraged By Republican Rhetoric"

"Senate Republicans are name-dropping national parks in broader public remarks on the upcoming legislative agenda, fanning hope among supporters of a maintenance backlog bill that floor time might be imminent.

"I'm definitely feeling there is a little bit of an uptick in momentum," Jessica Wahl, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, said in a recent interview, referring to the "Restore Our Parks Act."

The legislation, H.R. 1225 and S. 500, would create a five-year, $6.5 billion restoration fund to address the growing deferred maintenance backlog in national parks and on other public lands. It has influential Republican and Democratic boosters in both chambers."

Kellie Lunney reports for E&E Daily February 25, 2020.