The Cultural Resource Challenge Act of 2024 directs the National Park Service to improve how it identifies, preserves, and maintains cultural resources across the national park system in preparation for America's 250th anniversary. The bill requires the NPS Director to address gaps in protecting sites related to underrepresented groups, fill workforce vacancies, and provide training to parks and historic preservation offices. It establishes a grant program offering up to $75,000 in planning grants and competitive project grants covering up to 80 percent of costs to eligible states, tribes, local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits for cultural resource preservation work, with the Director able to waive cost-sharing requirements for tribal and Native Hawaiian projects under $10,000. The legislation also funds a Cultural Resource Career Academy to train park staff on cultural preservation, climate change impacts, and community engagement. The bill authorizes $250 million over fiscal years 2025 through 2030 and requires progress reports to Congress at one year and two years after enactment, plus a comprehensive "State of our Cultural Resources" report within four years.
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