Zinke Announces $53M For US National Park Maintenance, Infrastructure

Photo: Crowded Rocky Mountain National Park, Alpine Visitor Center (HV)
Visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park at the Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road in August 2015.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has announced more than $50 million for maintenance and infrastructure work at national parks. The funding would go to 42 parks in 29 states.

Zinke made the announcement Saturday at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. With him was Colorado U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner.

Proud to announce >$50m in #publicprivate partnership grants for @NatlParkService infrastructure w/ @SenCoryGardner & Rky Mtn Conservancy pic.twitter.com/d080doca6N

The Interior Department says in a release that Congress has provided $20 million, and $33 million will come from outside organizations. The funding will help improve trails, restore buildings and increase visitor access to the parks.

At Rocky Mountain, $200,000 matched by $200,000 from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy will go to trail maintenance.

Other projects include improving overlooks at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in Wyoming and boat inspections to keep invasive species out of Glacier National Park in Montana.