NPCA's Centennial Challenge Roundtable Event Empowers Public to help Parks
On the evening of December 12, 2006, NPCA welcomed more than 70 members of the concerned public and distinguished panelists, including members of Congress, to a town hall event at the Seattle, Washington, REI Flagship store to discuss the future of the National Park System. The public event focused on identifying opportunities for all of us to help restore the parks over the next 10 years in preparation for the National Park Service's centennial in 2016.
Joel Connelly, columnist from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, generously served as guest moderator. He began the evening by welcoming the panelists and the public to the event and thanked REI for hosting the event and NPCA for organizing such a gathering.
Mr. Connelly then introduced Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), who spoke of the need of bipartisan cooperation to restore the national parks. He talked about the maintenance backlog now facing the parks, and how through public support and congressional action, the parks can be protected for future generations. Congressman Dicks spoke of the funding shortfall of between $600 and $800 million and mentioned that since the U.S. House of Representatives will now be working 5 days a week they will a have, “a lot more time to investigate things” related to the environment and national parks. This statement received a large round of applause. He also praised NPCA for its continued commitment to park protection and preservation.
After a brief introduction, Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) spoke about some of the threats facing the parks and public lands in general, and how public pressure on the government can help defend these areas. He praised Congressman Dicks for his work during his tenure in Congress and also thanked NPCA for its strong efforts.
Mr. Connelly then invited the audience to ask questions of the Congressmen. Some people inquired as to the possibility of securing additional funding for parks in the upcoming session of Congress. The Congressmen expressed their opinion that legislation to increase funding was a very good possibility this coming spring. There were also specific questions about the rebuilding of a road in Olympic National Park. The Congressmen, with assistance from fellow panelist Olympic National Park Superintendent Bill Laitner, explained that environmental concerns were taken into consideration during rebuilding, as well as the urgency in which the public roads needed to be repaired.
At this time, Congressman Baird had to depart in order to catch a flight back to his home office in Vancouver, Washington. Congressman Dicks stayed to answer further questions. Mr. Connelly then introduced the rest of panel members, which included Regional NPCA Director Sean Smith, Olympic National Park Superintendent Bill Laitner, Republicans for Environmental Protection Policy Director Jim DiPeso, Central Washington University Professor Thomas Wellock, Ph.D, and Eagle Harbor High School teacher Marie Marrs.
Each of the other panelists made a short statement. Sean Smith explained how NPCA has proposed a comprehensive action plan for fixing our national parks, starting with a significant funding increase for parks in next year's budget. This plan, entitled 5 Ways America Can Fix Our National Parks, outlines steps Congress, the Administration, and the public can take to restore and prepare our parks to thrive in their next century.
Bill Laitner spoke of the need not only for increased funding for the parks, but sufficient funding to maintain base operations, which include routine services such as cleaning park restrooms and staffing visitor centers.
Jim DiPeso echoed the importance of bipartisan cooperation in restoring the parks before their centennial. He also explained how historically Republican presidents have created many of our most precious national parks.
Professor Wellock gave a brief history of the National Park Service. He discussed the Park Service's Mission 66 program, which expanded many parks and funded the construction of visitor centers and roads into many parks. He discussed the importance of deciding how exactly we want to restore the parks – preserve them in a natural state or increase the amount of amenities within the parks.
Marie Marrs commented on the recent decrease in park visitation by discussing the importance of bringing children to the parks. She expressed the significance of allowing future generations the same awe-inspiring visit to the Hoh Rain Forest of Olympic National Park or that first view of the summit of Mt. Rainier through the clouds.
After Ms. Marrs finished speaking, Mr. Connelly had a few questions for the panelists. First, he was interested in hearing the panel's thoughts on President Bush's pledge to restore the parks in 2000. How did his performance stack up against that promise? Next, he was concerned about the loss of fireside chats and ranger hikes, and how we might reverse this trend. Lastly, he was interested in asking questions about the unfilled management positions across the system, as well as the recent, controversial effort to rewrite the parks' guiding Management Policies.
Each panelist expressed an optimistic view of the Secretary of the Interior's announcement of the President's new National Park Centennial Challenge, and their view that there are good opportunities for restoring the parks by their centennial. They felt that through appropriate and increased park funding, fireside chats and ranger hikes will be reinstated, as well as other interpretive opportunities. Finally, Sean Smith responded to the question concerning the Management Policy rewrite, and how public outrage and disappointment in the draft rewrites led to abandonment of the proposed rewrites and the creation of new policies that actually improve upon the original policies—instead of weakening them.
Mr. Connelly then reopened the floor to the public. One of the questions that sparked a discussion between the public and the panel involved park entrance fees. Some members of the audience were concerned that the new $80 America the Beautiful pass might do more to discourage visitation to the parks. Congressman Dicks and Sean Smith explained that there must be a balance between trying to keep entrance fees from being prohibitive to visitors and trying to find additional sources of revenue for the parks. There were also questions related to funding through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Congressman Dicks explained that the LWCF is a possible source of additional funding.
Other questions focused on ways to get future generations into the parks. Ms. Marrs said that anyone from the public can contribute to this simply by taking young people into parks. She explained, and the panel and public agreed, that experiences in the national parks at a young age can form a long-lasting adoration and appreciation of the parks that can be passed on.
Another audience member asked about the IRS check off box and the likelihood that other worthy causes might seek similar funding mechanisms. Rep. Baird answered that that is concern. In addition, he raised the fear that check off money would be used to supplant regular appropriations. He expressed his opinion that this should and must not happen.
Another question from the audience dealt with continual funding for things such as the popular Pacific Crest Trail. Members of the public wanted to know if funding would be available for the trail under the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress (which was passed because the annual appropriations bill was not—resulting in a $100-million cut to the National Park Service's budget, and cuts to many other federal agency budgets, as well). Congressman Dicks could not be certain if funding would be available and present in the future for these types of areas.
At that, Mr. Connelly again thanked the public for their attendance, the panelists for their expertise, REI for hosting, and NPCA for organizing the event, and said good evening. Many people stayed for another half an hour talking with panelists about ways and next steps to protect our parks for future generations.
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