$1.6B Department of Interior Investment to Improve Facilities and Historic Structures

The U.S. Department of the Interior is investing US$1.6 billion in 2021 to address deferred maintenance projects at facilities and structures in national parks, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Indian Education schools.   

The funding was made possible by the newly created National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund established in 2020, which provides for up to $1.6 billion per year for five years to help address a multi-billion-dollar deferred maintenance backlog. The 165 deferred maintenance projects planned for this year will improve recreation facilities, visitor centers, dams, water and utility infrastructure projects, schools, and other historic structures.

For example, $3 million will go toward completing restoration of the exterior of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. The project will use specialized lasers to remove black biofilm to clean the memorial and restore its appearance.