WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced an agreement between the National Park Service (NPS) and Aramark to keep the Glacier Bay Lodge open for the next two summer seasons.

“I’m pleased that both the National Park Service and Aramark were able to reach common ground to ensure that the Glacier Bay Lodge will remain open. I know how important the lodge and day boat tour operation are to the community of Gustavus,” Murkowski said. “While today is a positive step, I encourage the Park Service to begin working to address the underlying issues with their management of the lodge so that two years from now we will not go down this same path. They owe more to Alaskans. Tourism is the lifeblood of Gustavus in the summer and it is up the Park Service to ensure that the Glacier Bay Lodge remains open for business.”

In June, Murkowski and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell asking her to find a solution to the situation.

“I will work with the Park Service to find the best long-term solution. One option is the possibility of a long-term agreement that would encourage the renter to take more ownership and investment in the property, resulting in more economic certainly for the community of Gustavus and Southeast Alaska,” Murkowski said.

Murkowski is the senior senator for Alaska and the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.