Amendment Will Help Fund Longstanding Maintenance Backlog in National Park Service Projects 

Washington, D.C. – Today, during National Park Week, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) announced that his National Park Service Centennial Act has been adopted as part of the Senate’s broader energy legislation. The amendment celebrates the National Park Service’s 100th year of existence, and ensures that it has the resources necessary to protect America’s national parks into its second century.  Portman issued the following statement:

“It is fitting that the Senate adopt legislation to recognize the National Park Service Centennial during National Park Week, because we must protect these national treasures for generations to come.  We’re blessed to have 13 National Park sites and 3,895 sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio, and we must ensure that the Park Service has the resources necessary to protect all of America’s national parks.”

Specifically, the amendment:

• Establishes the National Park Centennial Challenge Fund within the Treasury and will consist of an annual appropriated amount equal to the qualified donations received in the same fiscal year not to exceed $17.5 million for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2018.  The Fund will be used for signature projects identified as ones that will help prepare the National Parks for another century of conservation, preservation and enjoyment.
• Establishes the Second Century Endowment for the National Park System to help attract private donations to help support and enrich the National Park System into its second century and pay for the $10 billion backlog in National Park Service projects. 

NOTE: In Ohio, 2.6 million people visit 13 national park service sites every year, including Cuyahoga Valley National Park and more than 3,895 Ohio sites on the National Register of Historic Places.  The amendment is supported by the National Park Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Civil War Trust.

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