The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently made available $4.575 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief funds for the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The Emergency Relief program provides funding to federal land management agencies, states, territories, and tribes for bridges and highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.
Funding will be used to offset the cost of repairing roads, trails, parking areas, and other infrastructure that was damaged by flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hilary in Death Valley National Park and other federal lands in California and Nevada in August.
Funding will be used in Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Inyo National Forest, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Manzanar Historic Site, San Bernardino National Forest, and Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge.
Tropical Storm Hilary brought record rainfall to California and Nevada for several days beginning on Aug. 19, causing flash flooding and debris flow.
Flash flooding damaged numerous transportation facilities in Death Valley National Park and buckled or completely destroyed roads.
“The funds we’re providing will speed up repairs at Death Valley National Park and other federal land locations affected by Tropical Storm Hilary, helping communities with critical transportation connections,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.