IRA Section 50221 - National Parks and Public Lands Conservation and Resilience

Section 50221 of the IRA appropriates $250 million to the Department of the Interior (“DOI”), to remain available through September 30, 2031, to be used for projects for the conservation, protection, and resiliency of lands and resources administered by the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.

The funding provided in this Section shall not be subject to cost-share or matching requirements.

Current Status:

Funds Rescinded by Congress

Section 50304 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-21) rescinded unobligated funds under this IRA provision.

Trump Administration Actions:

Congress Passes Budget Bill, Rescinding Funds and Repealing IRA Programs and Tax Credits [07/03/2025]
Litigation Compliance Report Indicates DOI Released Some Previously Frozen Awards [04/23/2025]
DOI Secretary Issues Order to Review IRA Regulations and Spending [02/03/2025]
OMB Orders Temporary Pause on Financial Assistance Programs, Later Rescinded [01/27/2025]
OMB Clarifies Scope of the Order to Halt IRA Spending [01/21/2025]
Trump Issues Executive Order to Halt All IRA Funding Disbursements [01/20/2025]

Implementation Status at End of Biden Administration:

In Progress

DOI has spent over $200 million to fund conservation, ecosystem restoration, and resilience projects through this section and IRA section 50222. Applications for funding for fiscal year 2025 remain open at the end of Biden’s term.

Biden Administration Actions:

Program Stakes:

DOI’s conservation, restoration, and resilience-related IRA provisions are critical to addressing the climate crisis and associated biodiversity loss. DOI released a framework that identifies nine initiatives to make meaningful climate impacts with the funding, covering topics including drought, coastal resilience, wildfires, rivers, islands, and more.