Reinvesting in America’s Heritage
The beginning of a new Presidential administration and a new Congress in January 2009 provides opportunities for our national parks to reach their full potential as showcases of American history, culture, and natural wonders. In order to achieve this potential, the parks must be provided with the necessary tools and support.
Protecting the Past Benefits the Present
Reinvesting in our national parks can put Americans to work in difficult economic times, and restore the parks for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the Economic Recovery Bill into law, providing for an investment of more than $900 million in America’s crumbling national park infrastructure, creating jobs for local contractors, for instance, in rural and urban communities nationwide, and helping to restore our national heritage. This important investment will begin to address the well-documented $9 billion backlog of the National Park System.
The National Park Service has hundreds of millions of dollars worth of projects ready to go, including road construction and maintenance, trail repair, facility refurbishment, abandoned mine land restoration, energy conservation measures and other job producing endeavors. With the funding that will be provided, these projects can now be implemented, providing work for Americans that will also help restore our national parks.
As well as providing much-needed jobs, a recent study commissioned by NPCA [PDF, 1.5 MB] found that every federal dollar invested in national parks generates at least four dollars in direct economic benefit to state and local economies.
The passage and signing of the bill is clear recognition on the part of our elected officials of the importance of national parks to our economy, our quality of life, and our future.
Looking to the Future
As honored as our national parks are, they still need our help. As the National Park System approaches its Centennial in 2016, we can unleash the full educational, economic, environmental, and civic potential of America’s National Parks. We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to see that our parks are restored for their second century.
Last Update February 24, 2009
