$33M in stimulus funds for MT national parks

More than $33.2 million from the federal stimulus bill is headed to Montana to improve access and services in national parks, historic sites and recreation areas in the state.

Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced the funding Wednesday. The two Democrats helped write the stimulus plan.

In Montana, the funding will be used to update aging facilities, improve energy efficiency, repair trails and preserve historic structures at five National Park Service sites:

• Glacier National Park $17,567,000
• Yellowstone National Park (Montana and Wyoming) $14,735,000
• Big Hole National Battlefield $620,000
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area $217,000
• Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site $126,000

Projects will receive the funding through the U.S. Department of the Interior.