US Senator Bill Hagerty discussed two issues of concern to Tennessee with US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on Wednesday: resources to reduce maintenance backlogs in the Great Smoky Mountains and efforts to address the problem of Asian carp in waterway systems.
Senator Hagerty noted that national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, the most-visited national park in America, will have even more visitors as more Americans travel and post-pandemic tourism increases.
“The park [Great Smoky Mountains] currently has a maintenance backlog of $ 235 million, and most of that backlog is tied up in streets, paths, toilets, visitor centers and the like, ”said Senator Hagerty. “The Great American Outdoors Act has already begun to reduce this burden, but I want to stress that we need to make sure we have the funds and continue investing in the future on this property. Minister Haaland, can you discuss for me how your department will prioritize, which projects will be funded from this backlog by the Great American Outdoors Act?
In response to Senator Hagerty, Minister Haaland pledged to ensure that Great Smoky Mountain National Park has the resources it needs to reduce the maintenance backlog.
Senator Hagerty also asked the secretary about the problem of the Asian carp, a predatory species that harms Tennessee’s waters and ecosystems.
“If you look at the economic impact, fishing and recreational boating in my state of Tennessee generate $ 7.2 billion in annual economic value and support over 27,000 jobs,” said Senator Hagerty. “So this not only has an impact on the environment, but also has an enormous economic impact. We are now finding Asian carp from Chattanooga to Memphis. It develops quickly and is incredibly invasive. Thanks to the leadership of this subcommittee in the past two years, Congress has given the US Fish and Wildlife Service over $ 25 million a year to help curb the spread of an impact on containing the spread. I would like to hear your point of view, Mrs. Secretary. “
The secretary said she understood the situation and the bipartisan interest in fighting the invasive species and said that contract fisheries had proven successful in addressing the problem. The secretary and her staff pledged to work with Senator Hagerty and other Senators to continue to advance solutions.
