Senate Democrats Release Alternative Infrastructure Plan

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Senate Democrats proposed an infrastructure plan designed to highlight Democratic priorities in advance of the midterm elections this November. The Senate Democratic plan would reverse the recent tax law change to raise $1.022 trillion for infrastructure investments.
For the preservation community, the plan proposes investments in the following areas:
  • $5 billion in funding for the highest priority deferred maintenance needs at the National Park Service. Funds will address visitor service facilities, roads, and trails at parks across the nation.
  • $2 billion in funding for deferred maintenance needs at the U.S. Forest Service, for visitor facilities, campgrounds, roads, bridges, and trails.
  • $1 billion for deferred maintenance needs at the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and other Department of the Interior agencies with public facilities to improve accessibility, infrastructure resiliency, and recreational opportunities.
  • $2.5 billion to the U.S. Forest Service for fuels reduction and forest restoration treatments – projects that reduce fire risk and generate jobs in rural areas.
  • $4 billion for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
    • $2 billion will provide grants to states to support local projects that create urban parks and open spaces and develop outdoor recreation facilities.
    • $2 billion will fund federal programs to improve recreational access to our federal lands and protect iconic landscapes.
  • $500 million for historic preservation needs, including funds for grants for States and Tribes and for competitive grants to support bricks and mortar infrastructure and economic development opportunities for historic properties.
    • Funds would include grants to 26 restore properties at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions.
    • Funds would also protect and preserve civil rights sites.
The Senate Democratic plan provides $1 trillion in real investments and long-term certainty to deal with the single largest cause of project delays – the lack of funds.  The plan provides $97 billion in direct federal spending for the Federal-aid highway program while providing funding certainty for a ten-year period. It would also provide funding for a new incentive grant program that will encourage states and local governments to make data- and performance-based decisions to improve transportation outcomes.
The Coalition for American Heritage welcomes a focus on our nation’s infrastructure needs. Together with advocates from across the country, we will be talking with Members of Congress about how to protect America’s historic treasures while building and maintaining critical infrastructure projects.