The National Park Service Has Improved Facilities at 12 Park Service Areas

GAO was asked to report on actions taken by the National Park Service to correct deficient National Park facilities which were identified in a 1980 report.

Following a GAO report which identified 172 facilities at 12 Park Service areas which failed to meet health and safety standards, Congress, the Park Service, and park concessioners have placed a high priority on correcting the deficiencies. Nearly all of the deficient facilities have been improved or are scheduled for improvement by the end of fiscal year (FY) 1987. During FY 1981, Congress appropriated $16.5 million to correct critical health and safety deficiencies in the National Park System. In FY 1982, the Park Service began a special program to rehabilitate or replace unsafe park facilities, spending $23 million to meet health and safety needs. The Park Service has also negotiated contracts with park concessioners which require them to correct unsafe conditions. In some cases, concessioners have made improvements that were not required by their contracts. The Park Service has corrected, or plans to correct: (1) 85 hazardous lodges and dormitories; (2) 53 drinking water systems that did not meet State and Federal standards; (3) 7 sewer systems which were poorly designed; and (4) 27 bridges and tunnels which are in need of repair. The Park Service also plans to monitor closely the condition of bridges and tunnels and has restricted or will restrict their use when warranted.