North Michigan News

Washington - Rep. Jack Bergman joined the House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Federal Lands for a hearing on the "National Park Service's Deferred Maintenance Backlog." During the hearing, Rep. Bergman emphasized the importance of using federal resources effectively to preserve and maintain our National Parks, particularly those in Michigan's First District.

In his questioning of the panel, Rep. Bergman highlighted the need for proper attention and maintenance of these lands, which not only provide economic opportunities but also serve as places for outdoor recreation. He expressed concern that bureaucratic negligence could lead to diminished safety, integrity, and enjoyment of our natural resources.

Rep. Bergman stressed the importance of holding agencies accountable for the results they achieve. He stated, "Regardless of whether you're Democrat or Republican, if you're here elected in the House [and] you're not looking at oversight of the expenditure of dollars – taxpayers' dollars – then you're not doing your job."

The congressman's remarks emphasized the shared responsibility of all members of the House to ensure the proper use of taxpayer dollars in preserving and maintaining our National Parks.

In 2020, Rep. Bergman supported and Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), a public lands legislation aimed at addressing deferred maintenance needs. The act permanently funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund and allocated up to $1.9 billion per year for the National Parks Service and other land management agencies.

Despite this significant investment, the deferred maintenance backlog for the National Parks Service has continued to increase. Since the GAOA went into effect, the backlog has grown by $9.6 billion, reaching a total of $22.3 billion. This backlog includes over $156 million worth of deferred projects at the four parks in Michigan's First District, namely Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Keweenaw National Historic Park.

Rep. Bergman's participation in the hearing and his advocacy for the proper use of resources to maintain National Parks highlights the ongoing challenges faced in preserving these treasured natural landscapes. The congressman's call for accountability serves as a reminder that safeguarding our National Parks is a crucial responsibility that transcends political affiliations.

To find out more, go to this link: https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1162