National Parks Conservation Association Praises Congressional Reinvestment in National Parks in Economic Recovery Bill

Statement by NPCA President Tom Kiernan

“Congress has approved a reinvestment of more than $900 million in America’s crumbling national park infrastructure—creating jobs in rural and urban communities nationwide, and helping to restore our national heritage. This is recognition on the part of our elected officials of the importance of national parks to our economy, our quality of life, and our future.

“This is a very strong step toward restoring our national parks by 2016, the centennial of the National Park Service. Much remains to be done, so we look to the continued support of the new Administration and Congress to address the parks’ many critical needs, including funding and finalizing the pending National Park Centennial Challenge—a public-private partnership program.

“Together, we can restore our national park legacy for the benefit of our children and grandchildren, and a second century of service to the nation.”

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