2026 Summer Advocacy Update

As summer gets underway, we at Save the Dunes are taking a moment to reflect on a busy and productive legislative session, and to look ahead at the work that is still to come.

Each fiscal year, appropriations are created through the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees, which draft and manage funding bills that determine how much funding specific federal agencies receive.

For our work, we focus on the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill, which funds the National Park Service and environmental programs such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The bill also funds programs that directly support the Indiana Dunes, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a key program for protecting Lake Michigan and restoring ecosystems across the region.

Even though the fiscal year deadline is September 30, appropriations work begins months in advance, with draft bills and committee activity picking up in late spring and early summer.

Most recently, on May 20, 2026, the House Appropriations Committee released its Fiscal Year 2027 Interior and Environment bill. The proposal includes $38.9 billion in overall spending, including a 20 percent cut to the EPA, and outlines funding levels for additional agencies that directly impact the Indiana Dunes, such as the National Park Service (NPS).

While proposed NPS funding remains relatively consistent with recent years at just under $2.9 billion, potential cuts to environmental programs highlight the need for continued advocacy. Increased funding for our national parks is needed to restore adequate staffing levels, as workforce losses have been shown to result in weakened resource protection, delayed maintenance, and reductions in visitor experiences.

These early proposals are already shaping conversations about what funding will look like this year, and Save the Dunes is closely monitoring how decisions could potentially affect park operations, restoration efforts, and the long-term health of Lake Michigan.

As discussions continue throughout June and July, our organization is actively engaging with partners and policymakers to advocate for strong federal investment in the dunes. We remain committed to ensuring that the Indiana Dunes National Park receives the resources it needs, and will continue to advocate for the dunes and Lake Michigan every step of the way!

2026 Summer Advocacy Update

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