The New Mexico congressman said entrance fee revenue should support repairs at parks such as White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns, not beautification work in Washington.

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is asking the Department of the Interior to explain why about $90 million in National Park Service entrance fee revenue was redirected from park maintenance and repairs to beautification projects in Washington, D.C.

Vasquez, D-N.M., sent a letter June 12 to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum raising concerns about the use of entrance fee revenue during the peak summer visitor season.

The congressman said repairs and maintenance are being deprioritized at national parks, including Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Park, while money is being used for cosmetic projects in the nation’s capital.

“The National Park System currently faces billions of dollars in deferred maintenance needs,” Vasquez and other members wrote in the letter. “This irresponsible use of these funds represents a troubling departure from the purpose for which these funds are collected.”

The letter said visitors expect entrance fees to be reinvested in parks, including trail repairs, campground improvements, visitor facilities, historic preservation, road maintenance and stewardship of public lands.

“Visitors to places like Carlsbad Caverns, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon do not benefit from covering statues in gold leaf, spray painting a pool on the National Mall, or making bloated investments in ornamental fountains across Washington, D.C. with no-bid contracts,” the members wrote.

Seven other members of Congress joined Vasquez’s letter.