Park Service's Centennial List Demonstrates Public Commitment to National Parks, Need for Continued Congressional, White House Leadership

 
PRESS RELEASE
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 23, 2007
Contact: Andrea Keller Helsel, NPCA, 202-454-3332

Press Statement by National Parks Conservation Association President Tom Kiernan

The National Park Service today released an extensive list of park projects and programs eligible for matching grant funding from the proposed National Park Centennial Challenge, a program now under consideration by Congress.

"This is an impressive list of projects that demonstrates the deep and enduring commitment Americans have for our national parks," said National Parks Conservation Association President Tom Kiernan. "We’re looking to Congress and the White House to continue this momentum and ensure that our parks are fully funded and restored in time for the 2016 centennial—now less than ten years away."

"While philanthropy is important to the long-term health and sustainability of our national parks, the future of our national heritage is still dependent upon strong federal support. The White House and Congress have taken the important first steps and must continue to do their part in providing successive increases in federal funding for day-to-day operations to address the parks’ chronic, $800-million annual funding shortfall and a multi-billion-dollar maintenance and land acquisition backlog. Taking care of our national parks should be a national priority."