House Passes Funding Package that Threatens Parks’ Environment

WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed its funding package for the Interior Department and other environmental agencies. While the bill increases funding for the National Park Service, it also includes many damaging policy amendments that threaten park resources. The Obama Administration has already threatened to veto the bill. Below is a statement by John Garder, Director of Budget and Appropriations at the National Parks Conservation Association:

“The last thing our national parks need in their centennial year is legislation that weakens their environmental protections, threatens their resources and hampers rangers’ ability to do their jobs. But today the House of Representatives chose to approve just that. While we commend appropriators for increasing funding for national parks, as well as those members who worked hard to try and remove these harmful policy riders, the passage of this bill will only add to the challenges our national parks already face.

“We’d be better off with a continuing resolution than this bill, despite the increase in park funding lawmakers secured for our national parks. That is nothing less than a failure for our national parks and for all those who visit them. They deserve better than this.

“I hope that when members of Congress visit national parks during their centennial next month, they will see just how critical parks are to preserving America’s most treasured natural, historic and cultural sites. And I hope they return to Washington committed to protecting our national parks and not undercutting them.”

###

About National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.