St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

New law might help St. Croix Riverway catch up on park repairs

Federal legislation signed this week will provide money to National Park Service for maintenance backlog.

By Greg Seitz | August 7, 2020 | 3 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway visitor center and park headquarters in St. Croix Falls, Wis. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)

On Tuesday this week, President Trump signed into law the Great American Outdoors Act, which passed through Congress with bipartisan support. The legislation will provide significant funding for repairing and maintaining National Park facilities across the country, as well as permanently supporting a key source of funding for land and water conservation.

Over the next five years, the National Park Service and other federal land management agencies will receive $9.5 billion to begin catching up on critical repairs to infrastructure.

This could include some funding for the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers, which are managed by the National Park Service.

For decades, the Park Service has not had the money to do all the maintenance it should on the buildings, roads, docks, and many other kinds of facilities. This has left some parks in disrepair and diminished visitor experiences.

On the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, there is about $4.3 million in deferred maintenance. That means rough roads and buildings in disrepair, and more.

Park superintendent Julie Galonska says it’s too early to say which parks and which projects will receive the federal funding.

“In general, the legislation will address infrastructure needs in parks to enable their preservation, accessibility, and enjoyment for people today and in the future,” Galonska says. “There will be a focus on safe, accessible and reliable services, which will enhance park experiences for visitors.”

The administration has 90 days to submit a list of priority projects to Congress for approval. Subsequently, presidents will be expected to submit such a proposal with their annual budget requests.

Another key part of the legislation is the permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which uses government revenue from offshore oil drilling to pay for land acquisition and protection.

Grants from the LWCF have funded projects in every county in America, including many along the St. Croix River. But the fund has been on-again, off-again as Congress has sometimes failed to reauthorize it. That will no longer by a worry.

See below for information about how elected officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin voted on the legislation.

How did your representative vote?

Minnesota

Yes:

  • Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D)
  • Sen. Tina Smith (D)
  • Rep. Angie Craig (D)
  • Rep. Dean Phillips (D)
  • Rep. Betty McCollum (D)*
  • Rep. Ilhan Omar (D)
  • Rep. Collin C. Peterson (D)
  • Rep. Pete Stauber (R)*

No:

  • Rep. Jim Hagedorn (R)
  • Rep. Tom Emmer (R)*

Wisconsin

Yes:

  • Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D)
  • Rep. Mark Pocan (D)
  • Rep. Ron Kind (D)
  • Rep. Gwen Moore (D)
  • Rep. Mike Gallagher (R)

No:

  • Sen. Ron Johnson (R)
  • Rep. Bryan Steil (R)
  • Rep. Glenn Grothman (R)
  • Rep. Tom Tiffany (R)*

Did not vote:

  • Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R)

* District includes the St. Croix River

Related articles:

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Features

Two inches and 6,000 gallons: A swollen century on the St. Croix River

Cold comfort

New preserve will let students, community, and anglers experience the Kinnickinnic River

St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest News

Progress reported on effort to establish National Heritage Area for St. Croix River region

Afton State Park Phenology Feb. 19 to March 4, 2021

Spring is coming: Officials provide first St. Croix River flood forecast of season

Tax dollars work for water: Legacy Amendment funds will help protect St. Croix River

Watch: A guy’s goats keep him company while he swims the icy St. Croix

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.