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 language that will hopefully change the current course of action the administration is pursuing, a path that does not prioritize the protection and preservation of our national parks and public lands.
This bill demonstrates support for our National Park System and National Park Service employees with the rejection of all proposed cuts to programs and parks, and proposed program eliminations, in addition to a request for an operational budget that is an increase of $139,080,000 above the budget request.
It supports National Heritage Areas, provides additional funding to address the backlog of deferred maintenance, and increases funding for land acquisition. While we hoped for higher funding levels for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, we look forward to continued advocacy and engagement related to its mandatory, full funding.
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The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is a reliable, respected, and effective advocate for achievement of the mission and goals of the National Park Service. Recognized as the Voices of Experience, CPANP studies, educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation and protection of the National Park System, and mission-related programs of the National Park Service. CPANP represents over 1,700 current, former, and retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service, with over 40,000 collective years of stewardship of America’s most precious natural and cultural resources. More information can be found at https://protectnps.org