North Rim Restoration Act
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
Official Summary
North Rim Restoration Act This bill allows the National Park Service (NPS) to expedite the approval of contracts to restore forests, structures, and assets within areas of the Grand Canyon National Park impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire in Arizona. Specifically, the bill authorizes the NPS to use emergency acquisition flexibilities without a presidential emergency or disaster declaration to contract for the following services in such impacted areas: managing or restoring forests, rebuilding structures affected by the fire, improving grounds and structures, conducting recovery efforts, or other specified activities. This authority expires on the date that is the earlier of the following: (1) seven years after the date of this bill's enactment, or (2) the date on which projects and recovery efforts within such area are completed. The NPS may request Congress extend such authority for 12 months if a new wildfire ignites within such area and impacts recovery efforts related to the Dragon Bravo Fire. The bill also authorizes the NPS to enter into noncompetitive procurement contracts for rebuilding, rehabilitating, replacing, or operating assets, such as lodging or utilities, to support the recovery and reopening of the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim. This authority is conditioned upon the NPS making certain determinations regarding the North Rim concessioner and it terminates seven years after this bill's enactment.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The North Rim Restoration Act authorizes the National Park Service (NPS) to expedite contracting processes for restoration and recovery efforts in the Grand Canyon National Park areas affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire in Arizona. The bill allows the NPS to use emergency acquisition flexibilities without requiring a presidential emergency or disaster declaration. It permits noncompetitive procurement contracts for rebuilding and operating assets to support recovery and reopening of the North Rim. These authorities are time-limited to seven years after enactment, with a possible 12-month extension if a new wildfire impacts recovery efforts.
This bill aims to accelerate restoration and recovery of the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim after the Dragon Bravo Fire by granting the NPS special contracting authorities for up to seven years.
- Allows NPS to use emergency acquisition flexibilities without a presidential emergency declaration for restoration contracts.
- Authorizes noncompetitive procurement contracts to rebuild or operate assets like lodging and utilities to support recovery.
- Limits the special contracting authorities to seven years, with a possible 12-month extension if a new wildfire affects recovery.
['National Park Service (NPS)', 'Contractors and service providers specializing in forest management, construction, and recovery services', 'Visitors and concessioners of Grand Canyon National Park North Rim', 'Local communities economically connected to the park']
['Use of emergency acquisition flexibilities without a presidential disaster declaration may reduce standard procurement oversight.', 'Noncompetitive contracting could limit competition and transparency in awarding contracts.', 'Time-limited authority requires monitoring to ensure recovery goals are met within the set timeframe.', 'Potential cost implications of expedited contracting and recovery efforts are not detailed.']
The bill is under consideration in the 119th Congress and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, where hearings have been held. It addresses recovery from a specific wildfire event impacting a major national park, fitting within the broader policy area of Public Lands and Natural Resources.
Hidden impact flags detected: 2
GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Accelerated restoration and recovery may lead to earlier reopening of park facilities, potentially benefiting local economies dependent on tourism.', 'Use of expedited contracting authorities could set precedents for future disaster recovery efforts in other national parks or federal lands.', 'Noncompetitive contracting may affect market dynamics for service providers in the region.']
Oversight should focus on the use of emergency acquisition flexibilities without a presidential declaration and the noncompetitive contracting provisions to ensure transparency and accountability. Monitoring the time-limited authority and any extension requests will be important to assess whether recovery efforts are progressing as intended. Detailed cost and contract award information should be made available to the public to support transparency.
GovScope Intelligence Roadmap
Future bill intelligence will connect sponsors, committee referrals, related votes, campaign finance, disclosures, and stock trades into one legislative intelligence view.