The administration’s proposal for a massive fee increase in 17 national parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Arches and Rocky Mountain, goes too far and may have major implications on park visitation and the economies of gateway communities. The fee increases are part of an effort to address the deferred maintenance backlog in the NPS, but the money raised will only cover a small percentage of the billions of dollars required. While creative solutions are required to solve this problem, the proposal as it stands does not adequately address it. Click “Read More” for more information.
Bakersfield Californian: Maintenance, repairs greatly needed in our national parks
Executive Council member, Dave Graber, spoke out in his local newspaper, the Bakersfield Californian, about the significant need to address the NPS maintenance backlog. Graber says, “Congress has a chance to turn the maintenance backlog around. If passed, the bipartisan National Park Legacy Act (S.751/H.R.2584) will ensure that there is dedicated funding for park maintenance in each year’s budget.” Click “Read More” to read Dave’s editorial.
NYT: Drilling Near Dinosaur National Monument Draws Criticism
The Coalition spoke out against drilling rights near Dinosaur National Monument. Executive Council member, Mike Murray, described them as “indefensible,” and part of a new wave of “signs and signals” about the administration’s policy intentions. Click “Read More” for more information.
Over 350 Coalition Members Sign On & Express Disappointment in Zinke’s Monument Review
This fall, over 350 former employees of the National Park Service joined the Coalition’s sign-on letter expressing extreme disappointment with the results of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s recent review of national monuments. The recommendations from Zinke – which included downsizing several monuments – came at the conclusion of an unprecedented 4-month review of over two-dozen monuments designated since 1996, which was initiated by an April Executive Order from President Trump. Efforts by the Trump Administration to remove protections from national monuments or significantly downsize them would be unprecedented and are likely to be met with a quagmire of legal challenges. Click “Read More” to read the letter sent to Secretary Ryan Zinke.
Coalition Statement on NPS Work Environment Survey
In response to the NPS Work Environment Survey, the Coalition released a statement expressing our concern on the results and our cautious optimism of the first steps that have been taken to address the far reaching harassment issues in the service. The NPS’s future success depends on taking comprehensive and effective steps to make cultural changes in the workplace. The first steps that have been taken are positive, but it must be a long-term and continuous strategy to make an impact.
Over 350 Coalition Members Sign On & Express Disappointment in Zinke’s Monument Review
October 17, 2017 The Honorable Ryan Zinke, Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Subject: Executive Order 13792 (National Monument Review) Dear Secretary Zinke: We are writing to you on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). With over 1,400 members, the Coalition is composed entirely
Coalition Statement on Congressman Bishop’s Bill to Weaken the Antiquities Act
House Natural Resource Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) has introduced legislation that would dismantle key provisions of the Antiquities Act, which has been used by Republican and Democratic presidents alike to protect some of America’s most iconic and beloved parks and public lands. Click “Read More” to see our statement opposing the bill.
Member OP-ED: Coalition’s letter to the editor of the Helena (MT) Independent Record
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s recent claim that 30 percent of department employees are “not loyal to the flag” is not only ludicrous but also deeply insulting to the hundreds of dedicated Interior employees who live and work in Zinke’s home state of Montana. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s letter to the editor of the Helena (MT) Independent Record.