Sep 10, 2026 IPAA, Coalition Advocate for Reauthorization of Legacy Restoration Fund
Dear Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, Leader Thune, and Leader Schumer:
Days ago, catastrophic flooding in Grand Canyon National Park claimed human lives, forced large-scale evacuations, destroyed critical infrastructure, and closed lodging and campgrounds throughout the park. As families grieve lost loved ones and emergency crews work on the ground, Congress must turn its attention to the broader challenges facing public lands. Floods, wildfires, severe storms, and acts of vandalism have damaged visitor facilities, historic structures, trails, bridges, and infrastructure across the country. National parks, forests, wetlands, and other federally managed lands already face $46.2 billion in backlogged repairs, and destructive events in 2026 are adding to the burden.1
While Congress cannot prevent disasters caused by nature and man, it can ensure land managers have the resources necessary to repair infrastructure when damage occurs. Congress should act before the end of the session to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), a proven conservation program that repairs public lands infrastructure and reduces a growing backlog of maintenance needs. …
