NPCA submitted the following positions to members of the House Committee on Natural Resources ahead of a markup scheduled for April 21, 2026.
H.R. 4290 - Downwinder Commemoration Act: NPCA supports this legislation, which would place a commemorative plaque at White Sands National Park to support a more comprehensive narrative of the development of the atomic bomb. Manhattan Project National Historical Park recognizes the scientific excellence that supported an end to World War II and changed global geopolitics forever. However, the story is incomplete without acknowledging the devastating consequences of atomic bomb testing and implementation. The Downwinder communities of New Mexico, for generations and without adequate compensation, have suffered the health effects of exposure from testing at the Trinity Site through the Manhattan Project. The footprint of exposure spans a significant portion of New Mexico, including White Sands National Park. By telling a comprehensive story of this historical event, we can better avoid longstanding detrimental harm.
H.R. 7618 - American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act: NPCA supports this legislation which would reauthorize the American Battlefield Protection Program’s (ABPP) grants program, expand financial support to study battlefields associated with the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), and to ensure that the process of battlefield preservation includes consultation with local, state, and Tribal partners. This legislation will strengthen the ability of the ABPP to protect, study, and rehabilitate battlefields across the United States.
