Position on H.R. 9269 & H.R. 9640

H.R. 9269 - Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act: NPCA supports this legislation to extend the authorization period for the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN) which was established after a 2008 report issued by the National Park Service found that the agency should play a role in assisting the public with the documentation, interpretation, and preservation of civil rights history in the United States. Funding provided by AACRN supports the development of National Historic Landmark and Register nominations, oral history projects, the digitization of archival materials, and the launching and completion of cemetery and archeological surveys and studies.

H.R. 9640 – Earth MRI Reauthorization Act: NPCA supports this legislation which reauthorizes the Earth MRI program at the U.S. Geological Survey. This program invests in remote sensing technologies to improve geologic mapping that can better identify likely mineral deposits and provides industry, states, federal land managers and the public with a better idea of where mineral resources are. The data developed helps reduce the need for unnecessary speculative exploration drilling and can help identify areas of high resource potential and low ecological and social conflict. This modern approach to mineral exploration is a smart investment in a more responsible approach to mining development on public lands, including those in national park landscapes.