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National parks are the touchstones of our shared history and culture, connecting us with how this country evolved. The majestic landscapes, vast wilderness, and diverse ecosystems protected within park boundaries evoke inspiration and awe in 280 million visitors annually.
This summer, visitation to the national parks was up 5 percent over the previous year. The National Park Service estimates that more than one million people enjoyed these national treasures each day: the serenity of nature, the thrill of American history, the hiking and camping adventures with friends and family. But increasingly, these inspirational visits are tempered by the reality of grim budgets and understaffed parks.
Chronic budget shortfalls have taken a toll on the Park Service and America's beloved parks. Despite the intrinsic majesty of these places and Herculean efforts by dedicated park staff, the experience of some visitors is marred by the impacts of insufficient budgets.
Research has shown that national parks operate on average with only two-thirds of the funding they need. This amounts to a system-wide shortfall in excess of $600 million annually. If Congress allocates no more than the administration's request in fiscal year 2005, three out of every five national park sites will have lower budgets next summer than they had last summer. These shortfalls, compounded by unfunded mandates and pay-raises for park staff, homeland security expenses, and unexpected expenses incurred by hurricanes and other natural disasters, eat away at the unspoiled splendor of our parks. As a result, the experiences of nearly 300 million annual visitors suffer.
Congress and the administration should provide the funding necessary to ensure our national parks are protected for visitors today, and for generations to come. The National Parks Conservation Association recommends several actions to immediately address the critical funding needs of the parks, including:
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Congress and the administration increase annual operating funds by at least $600 million
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Congress and the administration make permanent the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program, which provides parks with revenue for backlog maintenance projects
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Congress and the administration provide Homeland Security funding to offset costs incurred by the parks since 9/11
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Congress and the administration pass the stalled transportation legislation, which, under the higher funding levels in the Senate version of the bill, would provide approximately $300 million annually for six years for the repair and maintenance of crumbling park roads and bridges |
The ability of our national parks to continue to inspire millions of Americans depends on it.
This paper chronicles the experiences of just a few of the millions of people who visited America's national parks this summer. In addition, we have included a guide to help visitors understand to help the reader understand why some of these experiences are occurring.
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