Fran P. Mainella, former National Park Service Director, Speaks Up for National Parks

Letter to the Editor Submitted to The Washington Times, January 30, 2009 

As the director of the National Park Service from 2001 to 2006, I worked frequently with the National Parks Conservation Association. It has been a key partner of the National Park Service since the NPCA’s founding in 1919. The non-profit has always worked to help our national parks and this nation.

Despite efforts of the Bush administration, the parks still have an approximately $9 billion deferred maintenance backlog.  Because of years of under-funding, 90% of all roads in the national parks are rated as being in poor to fair condition.

Right now, the Park Service has about $1 billion worth of ready-to-go, job-creating projects that could be started including restoration and repair of trails, historic structures, roads, and bridges that visitors use every day.  These investments will help improve safety and public access, restore our national heritage, and bring immediate economic benefits—including over 50,000 new jobs. 

These work projects are similar to the 1930s, when our national parks played a similar role in helping America. During that time, President Roosevelt signed into law the Civilian Conservation Corps putting thousands of young men to work in national parks, national forests, and other public lands.
Congress should pass a stimulus package that will help both the National Parks and our struggling economy by stimulating spending and work across the country.

Sincerely,

Fran P. Mainella
Former National Park Service Director