Proposed Budget Falls Short for Parks
President Bush's proposed budget boosts park funding slightly.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Bush's recently proposed budget would slightly increase funding to national parks, but critics say it doesn't do enough-not within the framework of the president's promise to clear a $5 billion backlog of deferred maintenance repairs by 2006.
"The president's fiscal year 2003 budget proposal falls well short of necessary funding and, in fact, does not keep (the backlog) promise on track," said Ron Tipton, senior vice president of programs for NPCA.
The operating budget of the National Park Service (NPS) would rise $109 million, to $1.64 billion. Bush's overall proposal of $2.4 billion for NPS is allocated to everything from hiring new rangers to buying new parkland. This proposal would increase spending over fiscal year 2002 levels by 1.4 percent.
"This budget demonstrates (the president's) commitment to funding the National Park Service with the means for fulfilling its mission as steward of these very special places," National Park Service Director Fran Mainella said in a statement.
Individual budget highlights include:
- A $16-million increase in funding for major maintenance projects.
- A $28-million increase in funds to buy new parkland.
- About $38-million cut from the Historic Preservation Fund.
- An $18-million increase for the Natural Resource Challenge, a key program to expand the Park Service's science and nature research capacity.
- A $300,000 cut to a $30 million program for urban parks.
- A $44-million cut to the Park Service's overall construction budget.
- An allocation of $6.1 million for park-based, counter-terrorism security enhancements related to the attacks of September 11.
NPCA expressed appreciation for the administration's stated commitment to national parks, specifically the funding increase to the Natural Resource Challenge.
"However, besides the new cost-share program (Cooperative Conservation Initiative) and additional funds requested for park security, the overall proposed operating budget represents an increase that is almost identical to the proposed boost in the previous year's request," Tipton said.
The Americans for National Parks campaign coalition, launched by NPCA, seeks a $280-million expansion in the Park Service's 2003 budget, primarily to protect resources and fund visitor education. NPCA remains committed to working with Congress and the Bush administration to protect and preserve the National Park System for generations to come.
