Vice President Joe Biden says the hundreds of stimulus projects now under way in national parks across the U.S. are long overdue upgrades to what he calls the nation’s neglected national jewels…(Click to hear comment from Vice President Biden)

The vice president is on a two-day tour highlighting Recovery Act projects in Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks.

Biden spoke Monday to about 100 Yellowstone National Park employees (pictured) after surveying the progress of one of the projects, the $4.7 million replacement of the Madison Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Biden says some $750 million in stimulus money has gone to 800 national park projects.