facebook-pixel

Interior OKs $33.4 million for national parks in Montana, Wyoming

(Glacier National Park | National Park Service | The Associated Press) This undated file photo provided by Glacier National Park/National Park Service shows the Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park, Mont. The National Park Service has approved plans to rebuild a century-old Montana hikers' dormitory that was destroyed in a fire last year in Glacier National Park. Glacier park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said Thursday, May 17, 2018, that work to reconstruct the Sperry Chalet is expected to begin in July after officials determined this week there would be no significant environmental impact.

Helena, Mont. • The Department of the Interior has announced $33.4 million in funding for national park projects in Montana and Wyoming.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke says nearly $21.4 million has been approved for upgrades to the guest room wing of Mammoth Hotel in Yellowstone National Park.

The project includes a complete interior remodel; replacing the electrical, plumbing and heating systems and the roof and making it better able to withstand an earthquake. The project also calls for adding bathrooms to each room and adding handicapped-accessible rooms.

FILE - This Aug. 31, 2017, file image from video provided by the Hutton Incident Team shows the historic main Sperry Chalet building engulfed in flames in Glacier National Park, Mont. The National Park Service has approved plans to rebuild a century-old Montana hikers' dormitory that was destroyed in a fire last year in Glacier National Park. Glacier park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said Thursday, May 17, 2018, that work to reconstruct the Sperry Chalet is expected to begin in July after officials determined this week there would be no significant environmental impact. (Hutton IncidentTeam via AP, File)

Another $12 million has been set aside for Glacier National Park to rebuild Sperry Chalet, which was destroyed by a fire last summer. The cost of the project is estimated between $8 million and $12 million.

The funding announced Wednesday is included in $256 million approved for parks projects nationwide.