Section 50223 of the IRA appropriates $500 million to the DOI, to remain available through September 30, 2030, for the hiring of employees in units of the National Park System and historic or scenic trails administered by the National Parks Service.
Current Status:
Section 50304 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-21) rescinded unobligated funds under this IRA provision.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- OMB Orders Temporary Pause on Financial Assistance Programs, Later Rescinded [01/27/2025]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:
DOI has not publicly reported on using IRA funding to hire National Park System employees.
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.