Senators Demand Accounting on National Park Fees Funding D.C. Fountain Repairs and Lincoln Memorial Project

Sen. S. C. Schiff and ten other senators sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stating that at least $60 million in visitor fees has paid for repairs to nine fountains and another $7 million covered recent work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

The letter notes that the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act directs at least 80 percent of entry-fee revenue to park maintenance and allows the remaining 20 percent for agency-wide use. Senators wrote that the current allocation to projects around the capital is unprecedented and could reduce millions of dollars available for parks nationwide.

They also cited an increase of more than $13 million in a no-bid contract tied to the work.

Contracts examined by The Hill last month show at least $60 million in NPS funds committed to renovation projects ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday. The letter states that revenue from America the Beautiful passes appears to be supporting some of those Washington projects rather than park sites, according to credible sources cited by the senators.

The lawmakers asked the Interior Department for clarity on how the funds are being used, whether fees are financing capital renovations, how much revenue individual parks will lose, and a full list of projects awarded money by the department.

They warned that the lack of transparency around the awards and the diversion of maintenance funds threatens public trust in the park system. The letter was signed by Schiff, Sen. Angus King, and Democratic Sens.

Martin Heinrich, Michael Bennet, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Hickenlooper, Ben Ray Luján, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Jack Reed and Ron Wyden. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. An Interior Department spokesperson said visitors and residents are experiencing working fountains across the district for the first time in decades, all thanks to President Donald J.