The nation’s National Parks could get some much-needed maintenance, if Interior Secretary Sally Jewell’s request to Congress is approved.
The Secretary is asking for a funding increase for the National Park Service of more than $400 million. The money is needed because years of recession-related budget cuts have left parks, including the Grand Canyon, with crumbling trails, and visitor centers needing new roofs, bathrooms and updated programs.
John Garder of the National Parks Conservation Association says maintaining and improving the parks is critical because they are major economic drivers.
"In Arizona, more than ten million visitors in 2013 spent more than $773 million, and that supported almost 12,000 private-sector jobs," Garder said.
Across the country, Garder said the national parks contributed about $27 billion to the economy in 2013, while supporting nearly a quarter million jobs.
Grand Canyon National Park alone has more than $300 million in maintenance projects waiting to be funded.