“We’ve actually proposed what will be known as the Public Lands Infrastructure Fund. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will dedicate 50% from all of the revenues of all the leases on public lands to improve and maintain the infrastructure of our national parks.” -VP Pence

Vice President Mike Pence was in Yellowstone National Park Thursday where he delivered a speech on the footsteps of Old Faithful addressing much need infrastructure improvements for the National Park system:

“(There are) hundreds of miles of roads, hundreds of backcountry campsites, bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure that have helped open up Yellowstone to the wider world. It’s amazing to think of the impact this has had on the region and the enjoyment of the people of the United States of America.”

Ironically KTVH reports the very boardwalk he used to get to Old Faithful is falling apart and is need of repair. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt estimated the park system needs more than $12 billion in infrastructure repairs including work on roads, bridges, water systems, trails and more.

The VP, his wife Karen, Secretary Bernhardt, and Yellowstone’s superintendent joined the Montana Conservation Corps volunteer crew to help repair parts of Old Faithful. When Pence was questioned about budget cuts to the Department of the Interior the VP said the infrastructure proposal will be a solution:

“We believe that the combination of the investments that we are making is exactly the right level. But the historic investment that we will be making in maintenance, by literally creating a funding stream for maintenance from our public leases, we believe will more than meet the maintenance obligations of our national parks.”

Pence said the Public Lands Infrastructure Fund has broad support from both democrats and republicans back in D.C.

images from Vice President Mike Pence IG

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