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Washington - Today, Rep. Jack Bergman joined the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Lands for a hearing on “National Park Service’s Deferred Maintenance Backlog.” Rep. Bergman questioned the panel on the use of federal resources for preserving our vital National Parks, specifically those in Michigan's First District. He urged proper attention and maintenance of these lands which yield economic opportunity and outdoor recreation.

Bergman explained that bureaucratic negligence can result in diminished safety, integrity, and enjoyment of our God-given natural resources. Holding agencies accountable for results, he explained, was the responsibility of everyone in the House.

“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,” Rep. Bergman stated.

Watch Rep. Bergman's questioning here. 

Background:
In 2020, Representative Bergman supported and Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). The public lands legislation permanently funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund and dedicated up to $1.9 billion per year to address deferred maintenance needs of the National Parks Service and other land management agencies.

Despite this investment, the deferred maintenance backlog for the National Parks Service has increased by $9.6 billion since GAOA went into effect, to a total of $22.3 billion.

This includes more than $156 million worth of deferred projects at the four parks in Michigan’s First District – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Keweenaw National Historic Park.