In this section

Sec. Zinke Stresses Need for 21st Century Infrastructure in Nation's Lands & Waterways

| General Government Relations

America’s public lands and waters were front and center on Capitol Hill, last week. Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke testified before the full House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, regarding the Interior’s FY18 budget, which Congress is in the process of developing.

During the hearing, Secretary Zinke repeatedly talked about the need to update transportation infrastructure on public lands, as well as efforts to reduce the Department’s multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog.

In an exchange with Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), the Secretary emphasized making transportation an integral part of a park experience, saying, “the culture and experience of going to a park should be a wow, it should be a five-star…part of that is looking at public private partnership on transportation…It should be an enriching experience. People should want to get on the transport. If they don’t get on the transport and view the park, something is going to be missing.”

He also stressed the need for improved systems and services that are able to provide 21st century capabilities, like Wi-Fi to attract new generations of park visitors.

Secretary Zinke proceeded to underscore how entrance fees can help address some of the Department's financial needs, including a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. “The best use, the most flexible funds are through the front door in our parks. We had 330 million visitors last year but…about half the parks don’t charge anything,” he said.

Representative Garrett Graves (R-LA) and Congressional Boating Caucus member, called attention to the support for public lands and waters provided by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which allows 80 percent of recreation fees to be retained at the site where they are generated. He contrasted this approach with the 50/50 split between states and the federal government of revenues generated by offshore energy production.

To watch the full hearing on the committee’s website, click here. View the original release here.