Survey of Park Employees Underscores Concern for Administration's National Park Policies

Washington, DC - “The new survey of National Park Service employees released today needs to be taken very seriously. Park employees know better than anyone the threats facing parks and their ability to best protect America’s heritage from these threats. The fact that survey respondents are so concerned, and that they see things getting worse, is worrisome.

“The survey results reinforce our concerns that the health of the national parks is deteriorating and that many of the administration’s park policies are accelerating this decline.

“It is essential that the administration improve its park policies, increase annual funding for the parks, and provide support for the dedicated staff of the National Park Service so they can better protect the soul of America: our national parks.”

The survey further validates the accuracy of an assessment released this June by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) that gave the Bush administration a D- for its pattern of harmful national park policies. Among the issues raised by the nonpartisan advocacy group was the administration’s continued support for use of noisy, polluting snowmobiles at Yellowstone National Park, despite scientific evidence and public opinion that supports a phase-out. NPCA’s assessment also called attention to the administration’s decision to overrule the Park Service’s science-based objections to the construction of a new power plant outside Yellowstone, which suggested that the Roundup plant would adversely affect air quality in the nation’s first national park.

The Park Service employee survey and methodology are available on the website of the Campaign to Protect America’s Lands at www.protectamericaslands.org