National Parks Conservation Association Praises Park Projects to Benefit from New Centennial Challenge Funds

Washington, D.C. – The nation’s leading voice for the national parks, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), today praised the Department of the Interior announcement of 110 park projects in 39 states that will go forward with matching federal funds under the National Park Centennial Challenge.

"Today’s announcement of the projects receiving matching funds from the Centennial Challenge is a truly significant step toward the launch of this innovative program," said NPCA President Tom Kiernan.

"It is heartening to see the fruition of a proposal which the Administration and Congress have together supported. But it must not be merely a one-year program. We’re now looking for Congress to pass the pending bipartisan National Park Centennial Challenge legislation, and authorize the full 10-year-long program to complete important projects across the park system in time for the 2016 centennial," Kiernan said. "Together, we can prepare America’s national parks for their second century of service to future generations."

Congress provided $25 million in the fiscal year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill to jumpstart the National Park Centennial Challenge. If passed by Congress, the National Park Centennial Fund Act (S. 2817 and H.R. 3094) would create a 10-year-long partnership between the federal government and American citizens. It could double private and other non-federal donations to carry out centennial projects and programs, and inspire continued public and private investment in America’s national parks.

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