Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg are launching new initiatives to increase access to public lands across the country.
The two secretaries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen coordination of infrastructure investments and launching innovative technologies at National Park Service-managed sites.
The MOU outlines priorities, including technology pilots, shared mobility integration, major transit fleet electrification and additional electric vehicle charging stations. The steps will guide the departments’ efforts to build transportation systems providing car-free trips, interpretation, education and enjoyment to visitors experiencing public lands.
Haaland noted the recent visitation surge to national parks and public lands and called for innovation to ensure access for all.
“Through this partnership with transportation, our teams can advance the intersection of transportation innovations and access to public spaces,” Haaland said. “When we talk about and plan around access, we must do so with an eye toward equity. I look forward to working closely with Secretary Buttigieg and his team to ensure that sustainability and equitable access to parks and public lands remain hallmarks of our work.”
Buttigieg said the MOU will work alongside President Joe Biden’s recently signed infrastructure law.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Haaland and the National Park Service to keep our most prized natural wonders accessible and safe for all Americans,” Buttigieg said.
Haaland and Buttigieg also discussed how the infrastructure law will invest in national infrastructure, including on public lands and at national parks. At the Interior Department, the infrastructure deal provides for a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Transportation Program, which will help in repairing and upgrading National Park Service roads, bridges, trails and transit systems. The law also invests in projects that will help fund bridge replacements and resiliency, repair ferry boats and terminal facilities, and maintain wildlife crossings that keep people and surrounding wildlife safe.
The secretaries toured an active trail construction project along the Potomac River as part of their event. The trail will improve pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ safety and accessibility by widening the trail, adding a protected tunnel, and enlarging and enhancing green space. These trail improvements are funded partially by the Great American Outdoors Act, a conservation law which created jobs and provides needed maintenance for critical facilities and infrastructure across our public lands.
