Failure to pass the Build Back Better Act will be costly to the National Park Service, which is in line to receive funds for climate change, maintenance backlog, and personnel needs/Rebecca Latson file

The National Park Service stands to lose more than $1 billion in revenues that could be used to hire rangers and create a Civilian Climate Corps if the Senate cannot appease U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and pass the administration's Build Back Better plan.

The West Virginia Democrat on Sunday said he would vote against the current version of President Biden's signature plan to attack climate change, provide expanded health coverage, and extend the child tax credit, saying it was too big and expensive.

With a 50-50 Democrat-Republican split in the Senate, Biden cannot afford to lose one member of his party. Now, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer still plans to bring the measure to a vote, it appears unlikely Manchin will change course as he and the White House staff have been involved in a bitter back-and-forth over what transpired in their negotiations to find a middle ground.

Not a single Senate Republican has indicated support for the measure.

As passed by the House of Representatives, the legislation provided:

• $1.25 billion for the National Park Service to share with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to carry out projects for the protection and resiliency of lands and resources.
• $750 million (shared with BLM) to carry out ecosystem and habitat restoration projects on lands
• $500 million for a NPS civilian climate corps
• $500 million (shared with BLM) for wildland fire management
• $400 million for priority NPS deferred maintenance projects
• $100 million for urban parks
• $25 million for historic preservation
• $50 million for national heritage areas
• $500 million to hire employees in units of the National Park System.

At the National Parks Conservation Association, John Garder said the parks badly need the money.

“Our national parks critically need the Build Back Better Act. They are on the frontlines of climate change and desperately need the bill’s funding for adaptation," said Garder, NPCA's senior director for budget and appropriations, adding that the measure contains "critically needed funding" for staff additions.

“Our national parks need money, which is what it comes down to," he said Monday evening. "So passage of the Build Back Better Act is critical to help them meet their needs.”