The National Trust for Historic Preservation supports legislation sponsored by Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to permanently reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and to establish a National Park Service Critical Maintenance and Revitalization Conservation Fund to address the high-priority deferred maintenance needs of our national parks.

The following is a statement from Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., Vice President for Government Relations and Policy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“Our cultural and historic resources define the character of our nation. This bipartisan legislation would enable Congress to use offshore oil and gas development proceeds to protect these resources. By providing matching funds to states to implement the nation’s preservation programs, as well as the LWCF, federal and state agencies would be able to protect important historic, conservation and recreation lands.

“This bill also provides a great opportunity to address the approximately $4.5 billion maintenance backlog associated with historic buildings in the National Park System by creating a new National Park Service maintenance fund. If enacted, we believe this bill will provide the framework to restore places that have played a critical role in our history.”