Portman visits Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, sees backlog of long-delayed maintenance
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PUT-IN-BAY – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) visited and toured Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial and saw firsthand the backlog of $47.7 million in long-delayed maintenance needs at the site, such as building renovations and infrastructure improvements to the marina and waterfront.
Recently, Senator Portman introduced the Restore Our Parks Act, bipartisan legislation that would help address the nearly $12 billion backlog in long-delayed maintenance projects at the National Park Service (NPS).
The bill, which has been praised by key stakeholders, would establish the “National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund” from existing unobligated revenues the government receives from on and offshore energy development to fund deferred maintenance projects at NPS sites across the country. Notably, the measure would help tackle the more than $100 million maintenance backlog at Ohio’s eight national park sites including the $47.7 million in unmet maintenance needs at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.
“Today I visited an important Ohio landmark, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, and was able to see firsthand the unmet maintenance needs that need urgent attention. This includes cracking in the concrete on seawall that can cause erosion and small sinkholes on the island, redoing the back porch of the visitors center to make it ADA accessible, and fixing cracking in the concrete beneath the upper plaza.” said Portman.
“Whether biking, fishing, kayaking, or hiking with my family, I’m proud to be one of the 2.7 million visitors to Ohio’s national parks annually. I’m committed to protecting our parks and that’s why I recently introduced the bipartisan Restore Our Parks Act to help address the nearly $12 billion backlog of long-delayed maintenance projects at the National Park Service. This includes more than $100 million in deferred maintenance at Ohio’s eight national parks. These parks are national treasures and we must do our part to ensure that these parks can be enjoyed for many generations to come.”
Portman, a lifelong outdoorsman and a frequent visitor to Ohio’s national parks, has long been a leader in the U.S. Senate in efforts to protect our national parks. He is the author of the National Park Service Centennial Act, legislation signed into law in 2016 that authorizes the National Park Centennial Challenge Fund and the Second Century Endowment Fund, two public-private partnerships that are providing additional funding to help preserve our national parks for generations to come. Last year, Portman received the National Park Foundation’s Centennial Champion Award for his work on the National Park Service Centennial Act. He has previously received the 2012 NPCA Centennial Award, the 2015 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Centennial Leader Award.
Recently, Senator Portman introduced the Restore Our Parks Act, bipartisan legislation that would help address the nearly $12 billion backlog in long-delayed maintenance projects at the National Park Service (NPS).
The bill, which has been praised by key stakeholders, would establish the “National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund” from existing unobligated revenues the government receives from on and offshore energy development to fund deferred maintenance projects at NPS sites across the country. Notably, the measure would help tackle the more than $100 million maintenance backlog at Ohio’s eight national park sites including the $47.7 million in unmet maintenance needs at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.
“Today I visited an important Ohio landmark, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, and was able to see firsthand the unmet maintenance needs that need urgent attention. This includes cracking in the concrete on seawall that can cause erosion and small sinkholes on the island, redoing the back porch of the visitors center to make it ADA accessible, and fixing cracking in the concrete beneath the upper plaza.” said Portman.
“Whether biking, fishing, kayaking, or hiking with my family, I’m proud to be one of the 2.7 million visitors to Ohio’s national parks annually. I’m committed to protecting our parks and that’s why I recently introduced the bipartisan Restore Our Parks Act to help address the nearly $12 billion backlog of long-delayed maintenance projects at the National Park Service. This includes more than $100 million in deferred maintenance at Ohio’s eight national parks. These parks are national treasures and we must do our part to ensure that these parks can be enjoyed for many generations to come.”
Portman, a lifelong outdoorsman and a frequent visitor to Ohio’s national parks, has long been a leader in the U.S. Senate in efforts to protect our national parks. He is the author of the National Park Service Centennial Act, legislation signed into law in 2016 that authorizes the National Park Centennial Challenge Fund and the Second Century Endowment Fund, two public-private partnerships that are providing additional funding to help preserve our national parks for generations to come. Last year, Portman received the National Park Foundation’s Centennial Champion Award for his work on the National Park Service Centennial Act. He has previously received the 2012 NPCA Centennial Award, the 2015 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Centennial Leader Award.