National Parks Conservation Association Praises Rep. Shuler for Securing $6 Million Toward North Shore Road Settlement
|
PRESS RELEASE
|
|
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | December 20, 2007 |
| Contact: | Greg Kidd, Senior Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association, 828-254-5161 |
National Parks Conservation Association Praises Rep. Shuler for Securing $6 Million Toward North Shore Road Settlement
Press Statement by Greg Kidd, Senior Program Manager, Blue Ridge Field Office
"The federal government demonstrated their commitment to our national parks by passing the 2008 omnibus appropriations bill, which secures a much-needed increase in funding for our national parks, and a $6 million down payment toward settlement to Swain County, North Carolina in lieu of building the North Shore Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thanks to the leadership and dedication of Representative Heath Shuler, who has made securing these settlement funds a legislative priority since his first day in Congress, we are on our way to finally resolving this 64-year old issue.
The $6 million provided in the omnibus bill is a significant step in the right direction for what has been a difficult situation in Swain County. The federal government has shown that they are committed to preserving the integrity of our country's most visited national park for present and future generations.
The National Parks Conservation Association has long-supported a cash settlement with the residents of Swain County, and now, just in time for the holidays, with a showing of good faith the federal government has moved towards resolving this issue permanently.
Passage of the omnibus appropriations bill is an exciting and important step toward restoring our national parks by their centennial, and is an important reminder that taking care of our national parks should be a national priority."
###
