Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will receive $3.052 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to mitigate abandoned mine drainage, close open mine portals, implement invasive plant management and control feral swine.
Abandoned mine projects will treat contaminated mine drainage to improve water quality and restore stream ecology. Open mine portals will be closed or have bat gates installed to protect park visitors and promote bat conservation. Invasive plant management will protect native plant diversity for ecosystem restoration. Controlling invasive swine will protect natural and cultural resources and promote ecosystem restoration.
This news comes as the National Park Service just announced projects to be funded by the full $195 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding to prepare parks across the country to be resilient to climate change. These investments are incredibly timely, as healthy ecosystems, wildlife and native plant habitats, and cultural resources are threatened by climate change and many other environmental challenges.
These projects infuse much-needed funding in putting people to work in addressing critical ecosystem needs to restore healthy and resilient park lands while benefiting communities surrounding parks.
The National Park Service is working with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the Tennessee Valley Authority to evaluate, design and mitigate contaminated mine drainage, restore streams and close open mine portals.
“The funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act is providing new opportunities beyond routine park funding for critical park needs to clean up and address safety issues at abandoned mines, improve water quality, protect resources, and promote ecosystem restoration,” said Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas.
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the National Park Service is working to address the impacts of the climate crisis, including intensifying drought, wildfires, flooding and legacy pollution in national parks and other public lands.
These resources will serve parks and communities across the United States with forward looking impact.
Climate change is an overarching influence over national parks. This Inflation Reduction Act funding is a long-term opportunity to make significant investments in our nation’s lands and waters in the fight against climate change.