Southern Idaho’s beautiful places will see millions in upgrades, thanks to a new fund | Opinion

President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Craters of the Moon a national monument in 1924. A decade later, the New Deal came to the monument. Emergency work relief programs improved visitor services by repairing buildings, roads, trails, and structures.

Fast forward a century, and the Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund will provide more than $9 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades to the unique and fascinating Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The funding will also extend to the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and the Minidoka National Historic Site, providing critical enhancements to these exceptional and culturally significant destinations.

In southern Idaho, where national parks play an essential role in preserving our history and boosting economies, these investments will have a transformative impact.

As the superintendent of all three sites, this gives me great hope.

The Legacy Restoration Fund is dedicated to improving infrastructure within national parks to enhance visitor experiences and preserve park resources. Supported by revenue from energy development, the Legacy Restoration Fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to the National Park Service to make significant repairs and improvements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve stands as a testament to the forces that shaped our region with its lava flows and unique geological features. Through Legacy Restoration Fund funding, we are embarking on a mission to restore the park’s aging utility building that was constructed in the 1930s and is part of the Mission 66 Historic District. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its preservation of iconic Mission 66 architecture last year.

The park will also improve the equipment and dry storage building and related infrastructure. This Legacy Restoration Fund project goes beyond these structures by helping to ensure more comfortable working conditions for our hardworking staff. Additionally, the project prolongs the lifespan of National Park Service equipment, reduces operating costs, and positions us to better meet the increasing demands of visitors and offer outreach programs.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument takes visitors on a journey to the Pliocene era. They can explore a world that was once home to prehistoric life. The scientific study of these fossils is instrumental in increasing our knowledge about this era. Legacy Restoration Fund funding will allow us to install a fire suppression system in the Maintenance Shop Paleontology Laboratory building. This upgrade helps ensure the safety of our team and protects irreplaceable fossil specimens, thus preserving our scientific heritage.

Minidoka National Historic Site recalls a dark time when 120,000 Americans were unjustly and forcibly relocated to incarceration camps during World War II. Through Legacy Restoration Fund funding, we will improve the maintenance and resource management facility. This modernization supports our park workforce, while fostering collaboration through shared equipment resources. It also offers a workspace for carrying out preservation projects on historical buildings and landscapes within the site.

All these vital projects preserve our heritage, ensure the well-being of employees and visitors, and provide opportunities for education and recreation.

Southern Idaho’s national parks also strengthen our economy. These parks contributed $20 million in 2022.

If you haven’t had the chance to explore these parks recently, I warmly invite you to discover the wonders of Craters of the Moon, delve into the world of fossils at Hagerman Fossil Beds, and immerse yourself in the history of Minidoka. By engaging in these experiences, you will witness firsthand how the Legacy Restoration Fund profoundly impacts our parks, communities, and shared heritage. These parks are here for you to enjoy, appreciate, and contribute towards their preservation.

Let’s build on the opportunities the Legacy Restoration Fund presents and safeguard these treasures so that, together, we can share these nationally significant places for generations to come.

Wade Vagias serves as Superintendent for Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, and Minidoka National Historic Site in south-central Idaho.