Congressional lawmakers request disaster appropriations for public lands

As Americans celebrated Thanksgiving, recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the major storms that have hit the East and Gulf coasts.

As communities work to get back on their feet,ok a handful of congressmen and women from Virginia and North Carolina have implored congressional leaders not to forget public lands in supplemental appropriations for natural disasters.

“While thousands of our constituents are beginning to rebuild their lives, many of these communities are simultaneously contending with the fallout that large segments of federally owned public lands that anchor these local economies are closed, not fully opened, or are simply inaccessible to visitors due to Hurricane Helene’s destruction,” the lawmakers wrote.

For instance, the National Park Service manages the renowned Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure that runs through many affected communities in Virginia and North Carolina and was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene.

“In 2023, the Parkway saw over 16.7 million visitors who spent nearly $1.4 billion in surrounding communities,” the lawmakers continued. “Substantial federal funding is needed for the Parkway to rebuild its infrastructure to support the millions of visitors the park hosts each year, which supports dozens of Appalachian communities.”

The letter was signed by Virginia Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and North Carolina Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.

The lawmakers advocated for an Emergency Declaration and an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for Virginia, as well as a bipartisan appropriations package for those Americans affected by the storm.

Warner issued a reminder Monday on X, formerly Twitter, to Virginians looking to apply for disaster relief.

“Folks, if you live in a county that was approved for Individual Assistance because of Helene-related damages, the deadline to apply is December 2 – that’s a week from today,” Warner wrote, sharing the link to the government webpage.