Sen. Mike Lee opposes bill backed by Utah’s House members to shift money to national parks maintenance

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah opposes a new bipartisan bill that would divert royalty money from drilling and mining on public land to chip away at the more than $11 billion backlog of maintenance needs at America’s national parks. Lee, who sits on the Senate Energy Committee, which is expected to take up the bill Tuesday, said he can’t support the Restore Our Parks Act because it takes about $6.5 billion from the general U.S. treasury without offsetting the new spending with cuts. “Sen. Lee does not support the Restore Our Parks Act because it is not paid for,” spokesman Conn Carroll said Monday. Currently, a portion of royalties from mineral extraction — coal, natural gas, etc. — flows directly to America’s general treasury. The proposed act, which is sponsored by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, and supported by his three Utah House colleagues, all Republicans, would steer $6.5 billion over five years to national parks to help rebuild bridges, pave roads and upgrade trails, sewer systems and buildings. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, isn’t sure whether he will support the bill but backs the concept...MORE