Coalition Statement on House Spending Packages

Coalition Statement on House Spending Packages For Immediate Release: 12/18/19 “We are pleased to see the increase to the National Park Service budget and appreciate the bipartisan investment in our national parks and public lands. Our national parks and national park service employees help to ensure that irreplaceable natural and cultural resources are preserved for

Op-ed: For the good of Maine, the Land and Water Conservation Fund must be fully funded.

By Sheridan Steele, Opinion guest column • December 7, 2019 10:39 am One of the greatest gifts Maine could receive this holiday season is full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund to be included in the fiscal year 2020 federal budget. LWCF enjoys wide bipartisan backing and is our nation’s most important program to conserve

OP-ED: Congress must keep promise on conservation fund

Brenda Barrett Wednesday November 20, 2019 01:14 PM Guest opinion: Congress must keep promise on conservation fund Pennsylvania counts on program that protects landscapes, cultural heritage sites. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF, is our nation’s preeminent conservation program protecting our irreplaceable landscapes and cultural heritage sites. I should know; I have served

Coalition Meets with Portland Press Herald Editorial Board

Coalition Executive Council member Mike Murray recently met with the editorial staff at the Portland Press Herald to discuss the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Herald published this editorial following their conversation. Editorials Published – December 2, 2019 Our View: Land and Water Conservation Fund needs protecting The federal program has purchased

The National Park System Deserves Better

The National Park System Deserves Better Release Date: 11/7/19 Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released a statement in response to the recent report by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) on evaporating staff levels at the National Park Service (NPS). “The agency figures released by PEER are incredibly concerning.

Coalition Comments on the Ambler Road Draft Environmental Impact Statement

  October 29, 2019 Ted A. Murphy, Associate State Director Bureau of Land Management Ambler Road Draft EIS Comments, BLM Public Room 222 West 7th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99513 Subject:  Comments on the Ambler Road Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Dear Mr. Murphy: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of

Coalition Comments on the Draft Environmental and Economic Analysis for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project

  October 29, 2019 Gregory Dudgeon, Superintendent Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve 4175 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Subject:  Comments on the Draft Environmental and Economic Analysis (EE) for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project Dear Superintendent Dudgeon: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of the

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Denounces Attempts to Privatize More NPS Campgrounds

  For Immediate Release: 10/26/2019 An advisory panel created by former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is recommending that the Interior Department privatize more campgrounds and allow services such as Wi-Fi and food trucks, in addition to other commercialized services, at national park campgrounds. “The recommendations put forward by the ‘Made in America’ Outdoor

Coalition Talks to NPT About Commercializing More Campgrounds

National Park Campers Voice Strong Objections To Commercializing More Campgrounds By Kurt Repanshek, National Parks Traveler on October 16th, 2019   There is little support among National Parks Traveler readers for commercializing more national park campgrounds and adding WiFi, food trucks, and other amenities. While an advisory committee to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is calling

Coalition Joins Partners in Expressing Concern Over Proposed Off-Road Vehicle Use in Utah Parks

October 9, 2019 The Honorable Rob Wallace Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20240 Dear Assistant Secretary Wallace, On behalf of the National Parks Conservation Association, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Grand Canyon Trust, and Coalition

Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act

10/15/19 Dear Representative, Subject:  H.R. 3225, Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act We are writing on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit organization composed of retired, former, or current employees of the National Park Service (NPS). The Coalition studies,

Statement of support for Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act (H.R. 3225) by Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks.

  Statement of support for H.R. 3225, Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act by Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Release Date: 10/15/19 “Oil and gas development damages national parks across the country. And the threats posed to our National Park System have only

OP-ED: Protecting America’s national parks and our national identity

Coalition executive council member Sarah Bransom submitted her opinion article to The Hill on October 10, 2019. America’s national parks and public lands are at the core of our national identity. Throughout their existence, congressional representatives from both sides of the aisle have supported them, recognizing their importance to land conservation, outdoor recreation and economic

CPANP Letter Opposing DOI Reorg and the Use of Unobligated Funds

    October 9, 2019 Dear Chairmen Murkowski and McCollum and Ranking Members Udall and Joyce: We are writing on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit organization composed of retired, former, or current employees of the National Park Service (NPS). The Coalition studies, educates, speaks,

Comments on Proposed Closure of Target Shooting on Certain Lands within Bears Ears National Monument

September 24, 2019 BLM, Canyon Country District Bears Ears Management Plans Attn: Lance Porter Canyon Country District Office 82 East Dogwood, Moab, Utah 84532 Re: Comments on Proposed Closure of Target Shooting on Certain Lands within the Monument Dear Mr. Porter, Please accept and fully consider these comments regarding the proposed target-shooting closure within Bears

Statement by Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks on the Senate Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

9/30/19 Statement by Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks on the Senate Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: “We are pleased with many of the provisions in the Senate’s FY2020 Appropriations bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. And we are particularly encouraged to see

Coalition Files Joint Letter of Protest on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), submitted this protest to the August 2019 Proposed Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the three units of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) – the Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyon Units – and the

Coalition Comments on NPS Memo Regarding External Review and Comments

Coalition Chair Phil Francis spoke with The Washington Post about a recent NPS memo directing superintendents to notify Washington supervisors before issuing comments to other parts of the federal government when they are worried about drilling and other proposed developments near national parks. “It makes me wonder what the motive really is,” said Francis. Read

Comments on ISRO Nonwilderness Cultural Resource Management Plan and Environmental Assessment

September 06, 2019 Phyllis Green, Superintendent Isle Royale National Park 800 East Lakeshore Drive Houghton, MI 49931 Subject:  Comments on ISRO Nonwilderness Cultural Resource Management Plan and Environmental Assessment Dear Superintendent Green: I am writing on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit organization composed of

Coalition Submits Letter Opposing DOI Reorganization

September 4, 2019 Honorable Raul Grijalva Chairman Committee on Natural Resources House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Mr. Chairman: On behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, I am writing concerning the September 10, 2019, hearing about the proposed reorganization of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and its effect on the

Coalition Comments on DOI-BLM Federal Pipeline Unit Wells

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, National Parks Conservation Association, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, and Center for Biological Diversity (collectively “SUWA”) submitted comments on the DOI-BLM Federal Pipeline Unit Wells located in the Colorado Plateau. In short, the Environmental Assessment failed to analyze cumulative impacts of reasonably foreseeable oil and gas wells in the Uinta

Coalition Condemns Trump Administration’s Changes to Endangered Species Act

  “The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is incredibly effective at saving plants, animals, and insects, from extinction. And it has widespread public support from the American people. Despite its success and popularity, the Trump administration has weakened the act and put countless species in danger of extinction. This administration continues to disregard the importance of

Coalition Joins Partners in Opposition to DOI Reorganization

The Coalition recently signed on to a letter, written in partnership with other conservation groups and sent to Congressional leadership, expressing deep concern about the administration’s reorganization of the Department of the Interior, the threat of which has become even more ominous with the announcement of the relocation of the Bureau of Land Management headquarters

Coalition Issues Statement on President Trump’s Speech on the Environment

Coalition Issues Statement on President Trump’s Speech on the Environment   Release Date: July 8, 2019 “President Trump’s speech today embodies the saying that ‘everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts.’ Despite his words to the contrary, this administration has consistently supported policies, and taken actions, that are harmful

Trump’s Salute to America an Irresponsible Use of National Park Service Resources

Trump’s Salute to America an Irresponsible Use of National Park Service Resources For Immediate Release: 7-1-19 Media Contact: Emily Thompson; Em************@pr********.org; 202-758-3936 National parks, considered “America’s Best Idea,” are iconic locations to celebrate America’s birthday. Unfortunately, President Trump’s proposed Salute to America celebration on the National Mall will place a huge burden on those tasked

Statement on House Natural Resources Committee Passage of Restore our Parks Act

  Coalition Statement on the House Natural Resources Committee’s Passage of Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act Release Date: June 27, 2019 Statement of Phil Francis, Chair of The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks: “We are pleased that Congress is taking another step toward addressing the growing maintenance backlog that is crippling our

Coalition Submits Comments on AZ Border Infrastructure Projects

June 26, 2019 Paul Enriquez, Director Border Wall Program Management Office U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039 Washington, DC 20229-1100 Re: Pima and Cochise Counties, Arizona Border Infrastructure Project Dear Mr. Enriquez: The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is submitting comments regarding the above

CPANP Encourages Funding for Deferred Maintenance in Interview with Public News Service

Coalition Chair Phil Francis recently spoke with the Public News Service about the extensive deferred maintenance backlog in national parks across the country. “Yellowstone and Grand Teton, they’re economic engines, because people love them,” Francis states. “They’re special places, special enough that people will take their vacations and spend their money and spend their time

Coalition Statement on House Natural Resources Committee Markup

  Coalition Statement on House Natural Resources Committee Markup Release Date: June 19, 2019 Statement of Phil Francis, Chair of The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks: “We are encouraged by the support shown for national parks and public lands in today’s committee markup. Legislation to require mandatory annual funding for the Land and Water

Coalition and Partners submit comments to BLM on Dangers of Hydraulic Fracturing

The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (CPANP) – in partnership with The Wilderness Society, the Natural Resource Defense Council, the National Parks Conservation Association and the Los Padres ForestWatch – has recently submitted comments regarding the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bakersfield Field Office Resource Management Plan, Hydraulic Fracturing Analysis – Draft Supplemental Environmental

Success Story – Speaking Out Against Impacts to Chaco Canyon NHP Helps Change Interior Direction

  In February 2017, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks submitted comments – along with Tribes and several conservation organizations – to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in opposition to mineral leasing proposed on approximately 4.2 million acres of land in San Juan, Rio Arriba, McKinley and Sandoval Counties in New Mexico (NM). 

Pipeline Proposal a Threat to Nevada’s Public Lands

Former National Park Service Superintendents and current Nevada residents Mark Butler and Alan O’Neill submitted the following Op-Ed to the Reno Gazette-Journal about potential threats to Nevada national park lands. AB30 THREATENS NEVADA’S NATIONAL PARK AND PUBLIC LANDS Pipeline projects across the nation threaten our public lands and natural resources. Unfortunately, Nevada is not immune

Coalition Statement on the House Appropriations Committee draft fiscal year 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Funding Bill

Statement on the House Appropriations Committee draft fiscal year 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill Release Date: 5/15/19 “We pleased to see that this draft funding bill proposes $3.39 billion for the National Park Service, which is $168 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level and $649 million above President Trump’s appalling

LWCF Deserves Full Funding

LWCF has a huge impact in communities and states across the country. Read Coalition Executive Council member Mike Murray’s oped in the Portland Press Herald on the importance of LWCF in his home state of Maine. https://www.pressherald.com/2019/05/15/commentary-program-that-protects-americas-outdoor-places-deserves-full-federal-funding/

Coalition Joins Partners to Advocate for Continued US Engagement in World Heritage Program

May 14, 2019 Dear Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Udall: As organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of the historic and cultural resources of our nation including but not limited to World Heritage Sites, we write in support of the United States’ engagement in the World Heritage Program. We urge you to appropriate $1.926

Coalition Submits Testimony on FY20 Interior Appropriations

Statement of Philip A. Francis, Jr. Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations United States Senate FY 2020 Budget for the National Park Service May 13, 2019 Sen. Murkowski, Sen. Udall, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf

Coalition Comments on Proposed Changes to National Register

April 12, 2019 National Register of Historic Places National Park Service 1849 C Street NW, MS 7228 Washington, DC 20240 Re: (RIN) 1024-AE49 I am writing on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit organization composed of retired, former, or current employees of the National Park

Disappointing News for National Parks: Bernhardt Confirmed as Interior Secretary

  Coalition’s Statement on David Bernhardt’s Confirmation as Interior Secretary For Immediate Release:  12 April 2019 The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks expressed disappointment and concern over the confirmation of David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior. The organization represents over 1,700 members consisting of current, former, and retired National Park Service employees with

Bernhardt is Bad News for West Virginia Parks

Rebecca Harriett is the former Superintendent at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and an Executive Council Member for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Read her op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail about the troubling nomination of David Bernhardt for Secretary of the Interior. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/gazette_opinion/op_ed_commentaries/rebecca-l-harriett-bernhardt-is-bad-news-for-wv-parks/article_af29484b-cc6e-547d-b063-e6cb6e8cfa00.html  

Coalition to Congress: “David Bernhardt Poses a Serious Threat to our National Parks”

March 26, 2019 Dear Senator, I am writing on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). With more than 1,600 members, the Coalition consists mainly of retired National Park Service (NPS) employees, including: Former NPS directors; associate and regional directors; superintendents; rangers, and a wide variety of specialists. The Coalition was founded

President Trump’s Proposed Budget Will Harm National Parks and Public Lands

  President Trump’s Proposed Budget Will Harm National Parks and Public Lands For Immediate Release: 11 March 2019 The Trump Administration’s FY 2020 budget proposes huge cuts across the federal government. It calls for a 14.9% cut to the National Park Service budget, when compared to the budget passed by Congress for FY19. This budget

Coalition Urges NPS to Prepare Proper NEPA Analysis for Atlantic Coast Pipeline

March 8, 2019 Mr. P. Daniel Smith Acting Director National Park Service 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Mr. Smith: The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (“Coalition”) is writing with regard to the National Park Service’s (“NPS”) environmental review of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline (“Pipeline”) that will cross the Blue Ridge

Coalition Sends Letter to Congress Urging Protection for Oxon Cove Park

  March 7, 2019 Honorable Betty McCollum Chair Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Relations Agencies Committee on Appropriations House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Madam Chair: I am writing on behalf of The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). Our Coalition is composed of over 1,600 members who collectively have more than 40,000

Coalition’s Advocacy Efforts Pay Off in District of Columbia Circuit Ruling

The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, in partnership with NPCA and other conservation groups, entered legal objections to an Army Corps of Engineers Project that erected nearly 300-foot-high towers through the James River within sight of Historic Jamestowne and Colonial National Historical Park. A federal appellate court, holding that the U.S. Army Corps of

Coalition Testifies Before Congress on DOI Budget Needs

  Statement of Richard G. Ring Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations House of Representatives Hearing on FY 2020 Budget for the National Park Service February 26, 2019 Rep. McCollum, Rep. Joyce, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before

Coalition Celebrates Passage of S. 47, Natural Resources Management Act

  Coalition Celebrates Passage of S. 47, Natural Resources Management Act For Immediate Release: 12 February 2019 The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is celebrating the passage of S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act, a bipartisan package that includes over 100 parks and public lands bills. Many of these bills have been pending

Coalition Releases Summary of Shutdown Impact Survey

  Park Impact Survey Summary of Results The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition) represents over 1,600 current, former, and retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service. The Coalition counts among its members former National Park Service directors, deputy directors, regional directors, superintendents, park rangers (law enforcement and interpretive), maintenance professionals, administrative

Coalition Testifies on Use of Fee Money During Shutdown

  Statement of Philip A. Francis, Jr. Chair of the Executive Council, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks The Power of the Purse: A Review of Agency Spending Restrictions During a Shutdown Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations House of Representatives February 6, 2019 Rep. McCollum, Rep. Joyce, and members of

Coalition Expresses Concern Over Bernhardt Nomination

  February 4, 2019 Statement of Phil Francis, Chair of The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, on the Nomination of David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior: “The Coalition is extremely concerned about the nomination of David Bernhardt as the new Secretary of the Interior. Secretary-designate Bernhardt was a lobbyist for oil and gas

 Shutdown Damage Assessment Is Only Just Beginning

For Immediate Release: 31 January 2019  Shutdown Damage Assessment Is Only Just Beginning Though the federal government is now open under a continuing resolution, Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, urges continued government expediency and offers a note of caution. “We are happy to have National Park Service employees back

Coalition Joins 146 Groups in Comments on Proposed DOI FOIA Changes

The Southern Environmental Law Center, The Wilderness Society, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, Animal Welfare Institute, the Center for Urban and Environmental Reform, and the Sierra Club submitted these comments on their own behalf and on behalf of the undersigned 135

Coalition’s Letter to Sen. McConnell – Reopen the Dept. of the Interior

January 21, 2019 Dear Leader McConnell, On behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, a non-profit organization representing over 1,600 current and former National Park Service employees, we urge you to do everything in your power to fully reopen our national parks and public lands by ending this government shutdown and passing appropriations

Coalition Joins Call for DOI to Postpone Lease Sales During Shutdown

VIA E-MAIL January 17, 2019 Mr. David Bernhardt Secretary of the Interior, Acting 1849 C Street, NW Washington, D.C. Re: Postponing BLM Oil & Gas Lease Sales Due to the Partial Government Shutdown Dear Acting Secretary Bernhardt: The undersigned organizations represent millions of members and supporters across the West and the nation who are concerned

Statement of Coalition Executive Council Member Richard Ring

  Statement of Richard G. Ring Executive Council Member, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks concerning the impact of the federal government shutdown on the National Park System and the National Park Service. Democratic Steering & Policy Committee House of Representatives January 15, 2019 Rep. DeLauro, Rep. Swalwell, and members of the Steering and Policy

Coalition Joins Others to Urge Passage of H.R. 266

  January 11, 2019 Dear Representative, We, the members of the National Parks Second Century Action Coalition[i], write to ask Representatives to support H.R. 266, the FY19 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Passage of this bill and other individual appropriations bills would reopen portions of the federal government, putting Americans back to work

Coalition Joins Groups Calling Trump to Close Parks during Shutdown

January 9, 2019 President Donald J. Trump The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear President Trump: We respectfully ask that you agree to fully fund the government and reopen agencies currently closed. Otherwise, we strongly urge that you close units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Parks, and other public lands, until sufficient