WASHINGTON, July 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44924) entitled "National Park Service Deferred Maintenance: Frequently Asked Questions". Here are excerpts of the report issued on May 13 and written by Laura B. Comay, specialist in natural resources policy: Summary: This report addresses frequently asked questions about the National Park Service's (NPS's) backlog of deferred maintenance--maintenance that was not performed as scheduled or as needed an  more

WASHINGTON, July 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service issued the following news release: Up to ten people can join the superintendent on eight hikes led by facilitators who will provide an opportunity for an open conversation about diversity and racism while enjoying one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. The public can also participate by coordinating their own experiences using Smokies Hikes for Healing materials. "National Parks have long provided a pl  more

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02) voted in favor of the Great American Outdoors Act. This legislation, spearheaded by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), focuses on preserving federal lands including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a key part of our local economy in East Tennessee, attracting tourists from across the nation - and world - to visit  more

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement after voting for the Great American Outdoors Act (H.R. 1957): "Our national parks and public lands deserve to be taken care of so they can be enjoyed by future generations. While this bill is by no means perfect, I'm proud to support its passage and send it to the President for his signature. "A major reason I supported this legislation, and one of the best ideas the Trump administration has proposed, is using t  more

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act by an overwhelming 310-107 bipartisan vote. The Senate passed the legislation 73-25 on June 17, and the bill now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. The legislation includes the "Restore Our Parks Act" that Alexander first introduced in 2  more

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, July 23 -- The Southern Environmental Law Center issued the following statement on July 22: The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) released the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing the Great American Outdoors Act. The legislation, which passed 310 to 107, signals strong bipartisan support to ensure our national parks and public lands receive necessary funding for maintenance and additional protections needed for years to c  more