Improving Real Property Assets to Support Interior’s Mission

The Mission of the U.S. Department of the Interior  

The U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities.

Improving Real Property Assets

Interior manages 20 percent of the Nation’s lands and waters, which includes managing the constructed infrastructure, or the assets, on these lands and waters. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) collectively manage over 127,000 real property assets ranging from visitor centers, campgrounds, trails, water and wastewater treatment facilities, roads, bridges, tunnels, parking lots, employee housing, monuments, and much more. When in good condition, these assets serve as the backbone of a positive visitor experience and allow for full access to our national treasures. As assets fall into disrepair, they can disrupt the visitor experience with unsightly structures, unreliable systems, or present safety risks that can limit access to buildings or trails. 


Across its five years of funding, the Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (GAOA LRF) is repairing and modernizing more than 3,800 (3%) of these assets, allowing future generations the ability to enjoy our nation’s public lands for decades to come. Once restored, Interior will be able to manage these restored assets using a strategic management approach aligned with Interior’s Asset Management Vision, which emphasizes making lowest lifecycle cost investments to deliver a right-sized, resilient, and sustainable asset portfolio that keeps assets in good condition for the future. 


In total, GAOA LRF is funding over $8 billion to fix assets on public lands and BIE-funded schools. These investments are essential for Interior and its bureaus to safely and effectively execute their missions. 

Distribution of Assets Improved by GAOA LRF

 The graphic below shows the distribution of assets being improved by GAOA LRF projects funded in FY21-25. Click here to download the data in Excel format. 

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Bar graph laid out horizontally shows the assets in the GAOA LRF portfolio and are categorized by asset use, recreational and visitor experience assets have the highest percentage at 30%.

 

Click through the Photo Gallery below to learn more about how GAOA LRF asset improvements are supporting mission critical work across Interior.

GAOA LRF Asset Improvement Spotlights

  • Increasing Access to Outdoor Recreation

    Brand new path and kiosk at Chimney Rock Campground
    Brand new path and kiosk at Chimney Rock Campground
    New kiosk and freshly paved trail at Chimney Rock Campground. ​Photo Credit: Jeffery Griffith​

    Increasing Access to Outdoor Recreation

    GAOA LRF projects improve recreational assets which help provide access to activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing on public lands.
    Assets improved include trails, campgrounds, wildlife viewing platforms, boat ramps, picnic shelters, scenic drives, hunting blinds, roads, and bridges. 
     

  • Modernizing Assets for the Future

    Brick seawall structure being repaired by team of construction workers
    Brick seawall structure being repaired by team of construction workers
    Rehabilitation of the seawall at Tidal Basin in National Mall and Memorial Parks. Photo Credit: NPS

    Modernizing Assets for the Future

    GAOA LRF projects prepare Interior for sustained mission delivery, pairing deferred maintenance work with modernization efforts to serve the public for generations to come.
    Assets improved include water and utility systems, administration and operational facilities, visitor centers, headquarters buildings, shorelines and riverbanks, and roads and bridges.  
     

  • Restoring Historical and Cultural Landmarks

    Construction workers repair concrete building exterior with body of water and Statue of Liberty in the background
    Construction workers repair concrete building exterior with body of water and Statue of Liberty in the background
    Construction workers repair the exterior of the Main Immigration Building on Ellis Island at Statue of Liberty National Monument. Photo Credit: NPS

    Restoring Historical and Cultural Landmarks

    GAOA LRF projects preserve assets that help tell the Nation’s story.
    Assets improved include national monuments, national cemeteries, war memorials, presidential homes, museums, lighthouses, battlefields, archeological landmarks, and other historic buildings. 
     

  • Supporting Wildlife Populations and Natural Resources

    Metal water control structure with grassy field in the background
    Metal water control structure with grassy field in the background
    Replaced water control structure at Camas National Wildlife Refuge. Photo Credit: USFWS

    Supporting Wildlife Populations and Natural Resources

    GAOA LRF projects repair assets on public lands which are critical to support wildlife populations and natural environments. 
    Assets improved include water control structures, fencing, and shorelines and riverbanks. 
     

  • Improving Assets That Provide Visitor Education

    Exterior of building with red siding and windows, with mountain range in the background
    Exterior of building with red siding and windows, with mountain range in the background
    Exterior of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge visitor center after the installation of a new roof and siding. Photo Credit: USFWS

    Improving Assets That Provide Visitor Education

    GAOA LRF project work improves facilities so that public lands can continue to teach visitors about the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage. 
    Assets improved include visitor centers, headquarter buildings, interpretive signage, and amphitheaters. 
     

  • Investing in Public Land Stewards

    Construction worker repairs wooden building structure
    Construction worker repairs wooden building structure
    Construction workers repair the Historic Laurel Dormitory at Yellowstone National Park, which will provide future employee housing. Photo Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

    Investing in Public Land Stewards

    GAOA LRF projects help renovate facilities that enable staff on public lands to provide important safety services, site information, and educational experiences to visitors. 
    Assets improved include staff housing, office facilities, and other operational and administrative facilities. 
     

  • Providing a Positive Educational Environment

    Group of people in yellow construction vests and hard hats use shovels to break ground on dirt plot.
    Group of people in yellow construction vests and hard hats use shovels to break ground on dirt plot.
    Students and staff celebrate groundbreaking of the renovation project at Many Farms High School campus. Photo Credit: BIA DFMC.

    Providing a Positive Educational Environment

    GAOA LRF funding supports improvements to assets at BIE-funded schools for current and future generations of staff and students.
    Assets improved include educational buildings and facilities at BIE-funded schools and campuses. 
     

  • Brand new path and kiosk at Chimney Rock Campground
  • Brick seawall structure being repaired by team of construction workers
  • Construction workers repair concrete building exterior with body of water and Statue of Liberty in the background
  • Metal water control structure with grassy field in the background
  • Exterior of building with red siding and windows, with mountain range in the background
  • Construction worker repairs wooden building structure
  • Group of people in yellow construction vests and hard hats use shovels to break ground on dirt plot.

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