Rick Hill: “H.R. 4521 attempts to deal with the serious infrastructure issues that exist in Glacier National Park in northwest…”

“H.R. 4521 attempts to deal with the serious infrastructure issues that exist in Glacier National Park in northwest Montana, one of the truly heavenly places on earth. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, which runs through the park and is consistently rated among the top scenic routes in the nation, has degraded severely since it opened in 1932. The utility infrastructure, particularly the sewer system, is badly in need of repair. Recently about 180,000 gallons of raw sewage leaked onto the south shore of Lake McDonald, and the state of Montana is threatening to take action against the park. And the historic hotels of Glacier Park, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are quickly becoming safety issues that threaten the visitor experience. Recently the Park imposed corrective measures at Many Glacier Hotel to address fire code violations that are a result of deferred maintenance. The rehabilitation costs at Many Glacier alone are estimated at more than $30 million, with overall costs at around $100 million. This bill addresses these issues by authorizing funds to repair the park's infrastructure, with the exception of the hotels, and setting a timetable for a specific plan to privately finance the rehabilitation of the park's historic hotels, in which there is currently significant possessory interest. It authorizes funds for the repair of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.”