July 9, 2020
Dear Representatives,
We are writing on behalf of over 1,800 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, and acts for the preservation of America’s National Park System. As a group, we collectively represent over 40,000 years of experience managing and protecting America’s most precious and important natural and historic resources. Among our members are former NPS directors, regional directors, superintendents, resource specialists, rangers, maintenance and administrative staff, and a full array of other former employees, volunteers, and supporters.
We, the undersigned, strongly support the passage and subsequent enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act (H.R. 7092) as quickly as possible. This act is critical to the continued preservation and protection of our National Park System.
Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act will ensure permanent and full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This is the necessary next step to fulfill LWCF’s promise to the American people – to preserve nationally significant public lands and provide recreational opportunities in communities across the country.
LWCF is our nation’s most important tool for conservation and public recreation access. It benefits not only national parks and public lands, but communities across the country. Full and permanent funding for LWCF is needed to protect parks and public lands from the threat of development inside their borders; to connect landscapes for wildlife and fire management; to preserve water quantity and quality; to sustain working landscapes and rural economies; and to increase access for recreation for all Americans no matter where they live.
The Great American Outdoors Act will also address the crippling $12 billion maintenance backlog in our national parks. Our parks and public lands have been suffering from crumbling roads, visitor centers, and trails. Deteriorating infrastructure, exacerbated by increasing visitation pressures and inconsistent annual funding, has led to this large backlog in repair needs in America’s national parks, and the total increases to over $20 billion when backlog maintenance needs on other public lands are included.
With our extensive experience working in national parks, we know firsthand what a difference this funding can make on the ground. We believe that the Great American Outdoors Act will protect our parks today and ensure their continued preservation for future generations. This bipartisan legislation is a landmark opportunity to ensure that we safeguard our nation’s heritage and recreation opportunities, and help local communities and economies continue to flourish.
We urge you to pass the Great American Outdoors Act and continue to support our national parks and public lands.
Sincerely,
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Executive Council:
Phillip A. Francis, Chair
Maria Burks, Vice Chair
Brenda Barrett
Sarah Bransom
Rebecca Harriett
Don Hellmann
Bob Mackreth
Doug Morris
Michael Murray
Don Neubacher
Jim Northup
Richard Ring
Chris Soller
Sheridan Steele
Coalition Members:
| Barry T. Sullivan West Cape May, New Jersey Larry D Reed Grand junction, Colorado Norm Simons Sequim, Washington Gilbert Blinn Eastsound, Washington Thomas Workman Santa Ysabel, California Abigail Miller Shelburne, Vermont Adam Isaac Hiscock Salt Lake City, Utah Alan D. Hollister Kingsport, Tennessee Alan Scot McElveen Snowflake, Arizona Alexander McMahon Sonoma, California Allan J Jaworski Lubbock, Texas Allen Bohnert Davis, California Amy Fehir Washington, DC Amy Meyer San Francisco, California Andrew T. Ringgold Palmyra, Virginia Anndevoy Ryan Loveland, Colorado Anne Worthington Cortez, Colorado Anthony J Bonanno Santa Fe, New Mexico Anthony Mark Wagner Columbia Falls, Montana Audrey F. Calhoun Winnfield, Louisiana Ayn Cole Kissimmee, Florida B. J. Griffin Grass Valley, California B. Riley McClelland West Glacier, Montana B. William Henry Eugene, Oregon Barbara E Maynes Port Angeles, Washington Barry Sullivan West Cape May, New Jersey Bernard Goodman Winston-Salem, North Carolina Bill Faulkner Ventura, California Bill Hafker Oakton, Virginia Bob Seibert Bozeman, Montana Bonnie Winslow Guthrie, Oklahoma Brad Traver St. David, Arizona Brian C Kenner Philip, South Dakota Bruce D. McKeeman Prescott, Arizona Bruce Dombrowski Pine Grove, California Bruce MacDougal Alexandria, Virginia Bruce W Bytnar Raphine, Virginia Caleb G. Cooper Littleton, Colorado Carl Douhan Littleton, Colorado Carl E. Hinrichs Harrison, Arkansas Carl S. Christensen Sequim, Washington Carol A. Clark Glendale, Arizona Carol F. Aten Washington, DC Carol Kruse Flagstaff, Arizona Caroline Keinath Norfolk, Massachusetts Carolyn Knoll Orinda, California Caryn Davidson Joshua Tree, California Catherine Wallace Kanab, Utah Charles B. Wahler Colorado Springs, Colorado Charles D Jacobi Bar Harbor, Maine Charles Farabee Tucson, Arizona Charles H. B. Arning Lunenburg, Massachusetts Charles L Higgins Hernando, Florida Charles Schultheis, San Diego, California Charles W. Kirby, PhD Leesburg, Virginia Cherry Payne Santa Fe, New Mexico Cheryl Schreier Custer, South Dakota Chris Seymour Newark, Maryland Christine L. Korsmo West Branch, Iowa Chuck Bloomingburg Paducah, Kentucky Clark D. Guy Somerset, Pennsylvania Claude A. Duke Grand Canyon, Arizona Claudia L Galagan Warwick, Rhode Island Clyde Stonaker Fort Collins, Colorado Craig C Axtell Estes Park, Colorado Cynthia M Holda Manns Harbor, North Carolina D. Scott Hartwig Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Dan Moses New Bern, North Carolina Daniel A. Puskar Washington, DC Daniel Aaron Brown Grovetown, Georgia Daniel J. Jenner Grove, Oklahoma Daniel M O'Brien Central Point, Oregon Daphne Hatch Novato, California Darlene M Koontz Durango, Colorado Darwina L. Neal FASLA, Washington, DC David A. Buccello Bar Harbor, Maine David B. Boggs Monroe, Virginia David C. Hartman Stevensville, Maryland David Donohue Santa Fe, New Mexico David H Wallace Frederick, Maryland David Holmes Volcano, Hawaii David L. Moffitt Williamsburg, Virginia David M. Graber Three Rivers, California David Manski Bar Harbor, Maine David Mills Gustavus, Alaska David Nathanson Frederick, Maryland David R. Stuart Sacramento, California David Roberts Montrose, Colorado Dean Reeder Salt Lake City, Utah Deborah O. Liggett Tucson Arizona Debra Levie Chicago, Illinois Delora M. Loope Munising, Michigan Denis Davis Montrose, Colorado Denis Michael Osowski Seville, Ohio Denis P. Galvin Mc Lean, Virginia Dennis Burnett Orleans, Massachusetts Dennis Hanson Sioux Falls, South Dakota Denny Huffman Ridgefield, Washington Diane E. Banta Chicago Heights, Illinois Dixon B. Freeland Luray, Virginia Don D Bachman Bozeman, Montana Don H Castleberry Maumelle, Arkansas Donald A Falvey Lakewood, Colorado Donald Bruce Fladmark Kalispell, Montana Donald L. Jackson Weaverville, California Donovan Rafferty Olympia, Washington Douglas Denio Loveland, Colorado Doyle Nelson Grants Pass, Oregon Dr. David N. Given Port Townsend, Washington Edie Shean-Hammond Pottstown, Pennsylvania Edward D Carlin Sr Omaha, Nebraska Edward Peter Walzer Hesperia, Michigan Edward S. Kalbach Schwenksville, Pennsylvania Edwin Hession Los Angeles, California Eileen Loughran Las Vegas, Nevada Elayn Marie Briggs Carson City, Nevada Elizabeth Janes Mancos, Colorado Elizabeth Knight Sandpoint, Idaho Elizabeth Snyder Williamsburg, Virginia Elizabeth Van Zandt Indio, California Ella S. Rayburn Scranton, Pennsylvania Elwood Lynn Talkeetna, Alaska Emilee Martell Somerset, Wisconsin Emily Prud'homme Bernard, Maine Emily Thompson Dayton, Ohio Erik R. Hauge Erie, Colorado Evan M. Raskin Asheville, North Carolina Florence Townsend Newman Lake, Washington Fred J Fagergren Santa Clara, Utah G. Gilbert Soper Novato, California Gail C Menard Rio Rancho, New Mexico Gary E. Davis Westlake Village, California Gary Frank Barbano Honolulu, Hawaii Gary G. Brandow, Columbia Falls, Montana Gary Johnston Annandale, Virginia Gary T Cummins Port Townsend, Washington Gene Casey Ashford, Washington Lizbeth Casey Ashford, Washington George Alderson Catonsville, Maryland George B. Hartzog Bloomington, Indiana George Bowen Hoodsport, Washington George Buckingham Chiloquin, Oregon Ginny Rousseau Tucson, Arizona Glenn Clark Hanover, Massachusetts Gordon Vincent Gay Winchester, Virginia Gretchen Luxenberg H. Bryan Mitchell Reva, Virginia Hal Grovert Tucson, Arizona Harry A. DeLashmutt DeLand, Florida Henry C. Wilson Santa Fe, New Mexico J Douglas Cuillard Arvada, Colorado J. Michael Greenfield Spotsylvania, Virginia J.W. Howard Emmitsburg, Maryland Jack E Stark Wichita, Kansas Jack Ramsden Syracuse, New York James & Joan Wimberly Fayetteville, Arkansas James Brent Pennington Winston-Salem, NC James Channing Redford Jr. Williamsburg, Virginia James Groton Oak Ridge, Tennessee James M. Brady Highlands Ranch, Colorado James M. Brandi Salt Lake City, Utah James M. Ridenour Wabash, Indiana James Phillip Corless Nokomis, Florida James R. Perkins Helena, Montana James W. Stewart Annandale, Virginia James Zinck Hardy, Virginia Jane C Anderson Dolores, Colorado Jane M. Sundberg Yorktown, Virginia Janes C Roach Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Janet Pletcher Campbell Lakewood, Colorado Janet Wise Lakewood, Colorado Janis Kozlowski Anchorage, Alaska Jason Tillotson Indianapolis, Indiana Jay Eickenhorst River Ridge, Louisiana Jeffrey D. Manley Boise, Idaho Jeffrey Eaton Heywood Golden, Colorado Jeffrey Sussman Ennis, Montana Jennifer L Dems Granby, Colorado Jerry Freilich PhD Bend, Oregon Jerry L. Rogers Sante Fe, New Mexico Jerry R. Yarbrough San Angelo, Texas Jervis D Swannack Mesa Verde NP, Colorado Jim Burnett Pinehurst, North Carolina Jim Hammett John Day, Oregon Jim Pepper Washington, DC Jim Stratton Eugene, Oregon Jim Vekasi Southwest Harbor, Maine Jimmy Groton Oak Ridge, Tennessee Joan Anzelmo Jackson, Wyoming Bohn Bielenberg Berkeley, California John Chao Bellevue, Washington John E. Hunter Lovettsville, Virginia John F Byrne Oakton, Virginia John Howard Emmitsburg, Maryland John J Reynolds Crozet, Virginia John P Bauer Three Rivers, California John P. Debo, Jr. Hudson, Ohio John Richard Erisman Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania John Ritenour Boulder City, Nevada John W. Foster Orangevale, California John W. Wade, Tucson, Arizona Jon Boyce Seattle, Washington Larry D Reed Grand junction, Colorado Norm Simons Sequim, Washington Gilbert Blinn Eastsound, Washington Thomas Workman Santa Ysabel, California Abigail Miller Shelburne, Vermont Adam Isaac Hiscock Salt Lake City, Utah Alan D. Hollister Kingsport, Tennessee Alan Scot McElveen Snowflake, Arizona Alexander McMahon Sonoma, California Allan J Jaworski Lubbock, Texas Allen Bohnert Davis, California Amy Fehir Washington, DC Amy Meyer San Francisco, California Andrew T. Ringgold Palmyra, Virginia | Jonathan D Lewis Carpinteria, California Joseph H. Finan Greenwich, New York Joseph P Hudick Taylors Falls, Minnesota Joseph Sovcik Fort Collins, Colorado Ross and Nancy Hopkins Tucson, Arizona Karen Rehm Williamsburg, Virginia Kate Faulkner Ventura, California Katherine C. Ziegenfus Lakewood, Colorado Katherine Stevenson Potomac, Maryland Kathleen Clossin Middlefield, Ohio Kathryn Thomas Anchorage, Alaska Kathy Tustanowski Moab, Utah Keith B. Dunbar Kirkland, Washington Kenneth E. Apschnikat Bowling Green, Kentucky Kenneth Kehrer, Jr. Teasdale, Utah Kenneth M. Hawkins Page, Arizona Kenneth Shea Wellfleet, Massachusetts Kevin D. McMurry Roca, Nebraska Kim E. Sikoryak Golden, Colorado Kim Watson Flagstaff, Arizona L. Edward Gastellum Anacortes, Washington Larry D Walling, FASLA Littleton, Colorado Larry Edwin Henderson Carlsbad, New Mexico Larry Frederick Estes Park, Colorado Larry Johnson Van Buren Missouri Larry Lee Hakel Luray, Virginia Larry N. Kilborn Evergreen, Colorado Larry Thomas Moab, Utah Larry Walling Littleton, Colorado Laura Rotegard Indianola, Washington Lawrence Beal Littleton, Colorado Leon Lamar Folsom, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia Leonard Emerson Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania Leslie Starr Hart Fredericksburg, Texas Linda Alick Gunnison, Colorado Lois Neff Atwater, Ohio Lucinda Stafford Page, Arizona Lucy Lawliss Bradenton, Florida Luke Elbert Dalton Jr Ogden Utah Lynda Doucette Waynesville, North Carolina Lynn D. Jamison Louisville, Kentucky Lynn R. Wightman Penney Farms, Florida M Susan Hurst San Rafael, California Malena Kay Vik Cathlamet, Washington Maria Abonnel Cortland Manor, New York Mark Butler Washoe Valley, Nevada Mark David Black Yucca Valley, California Mark Kelleher Jackson, Wyoming Mark Ruggiero Buckeye, Arizona Marshall Gingery Helena, Montana Mary Ann Dowd-Sussman Ennis, Montana Mary Anne Richards Cortez, Colorado Mary Bradford Destin, Florida Mary D. Jones Pensacola, Florida Mary E Caress, PhD Laguna Woods, California Mary E. Elms Henderson, Nevada Mary G Martin Palo Cedro, California Mary Graves International Falls, Minnesota Mary Miller Chapman University Place, Washington Maureen Finnerty Haymarket, Virginia Max Old Bear Traverse City, Michigan Meg Weesner Tucson, Arizona Melissa Warner Manteo, North Carolina Meredith M Kaplan California Michael Adlerstein New York, New York Michael Elliott Santa Fe, New Mexico Michael Gurling Olympia, Washington Michael Molling Asheville, North Carolina Michael S. Piraino Bainbridge Island, WA Michael Sutton Carmel Valley, California Michael Tollefson Scottsdale, Arizona Michael. K. Johnson Fredericksburg, Virginia Mike Wrigley Littleton, Colorado Milford Fletcher Albuquerque, New Mexico Monika Mayr St. Augustine, Florida Nancy A Nelson Concord, Massachusetts Neil Korsmo West Branch, Iowa Nelson Willis Siler Pueblo, Colorado Nicholas J Eason Moab, Utah Norman D. Hellmers Valparaiso, Indiana O.V. Olsen Albuquerque, New Mexico Oron L. Bass, Jr. High Springs, Florida Patricia E. Bentley Elkton, Florida Patrick J. McCabe Caledonia, New York Patrick Reed Fort Collins, Colorado Paul B Cole III Kissimmee, Florida Paul Henderson Moab, Utah Paul R. Anderson Tucson, Arizona Paulette Mullinax Bedford, Virginia Peggy Dolinich Colorado Springs, Colorado Peter C Fitzmaurice Mazama, Washington Peter E Baril Colorado Springs, Colorado Peter Fitzpatrick Laguna Niguel, California Peter K. Nigh Prescott, Arizona Philip A. Selleck Falls Church, Virginia Philip R. Brueck Saratoga Springs, Utah Philip S. Heckman Annandale, Virginia Phyllis Ellin Chicago, Illinois R.C. Cunningham Cody, Wyoming Ralph G. Mihan San Rafael, California Randall C. Thomas Spokane, Washington Randi Sue Smith Spearfish, South Dakota Randolph E. Elmquist Gaithersburg, Maryland Rebecca M. Post Santa Fe, New Mexico Rebecca Mills Berkeley, California Richard Bryant St. Augustine, Florida Richard D Falb Lakewood, Colorado Richard E Wells Palm Springs, California Richard Ernenwein Littleton, Colorado Richard G Danielsen Clovis, California Richard Martin Palo Cedro, California Rick Jones Ridgway, Colorado Rick Mossman Mt. Vernon, Washington Richard Smith Tucson, Arizona Ries Collier Bedford, Virginia Robbyn Jackson Hancock, New Hampshire Robert Arnberger Tucson, Arizona Robert G Burns Orem, Utah Robert Joseph Abrell Nevada City, California Robert K Whaley Osceola, Wisconsin Robert King Silver Spring, Maryland Robert R. Martin Dunbar, Pennsylvania Robert Valen Grand Coulee, Washington Robert W Reynolds Medford, Oregon Robert W. Blythe Chicago, Illinois Robert White Squaw Valley, California Roberta Barrows Colorado Springs, Colorado Roberta D'Amico Boise, Idaho Roger A. Rudolph Bend, Oregon Roger J. Siglin Alpine, Texas Roger Moder Page, Arizona Ronald E Everhart Lakewood, Colorado Ronald G. Warfield Eatonville, Washington Ronald H. Walker Jackson, Wyoming Ronald Thoman Denver, Colorado Rosalie Chilcoat Durango, Colorado Russ Ludwick Luray, Virginia Russell P. Smith New Castle, Delaware Samuel Weddle Front Royal, Virginia Sandra Vequist Belgrade, Montana Sanford P. Rabinowitch Anchorage, Alaska Scott Chapman University Place, Washington Scott Sticha Hereford, Arizona Sharon C. Miles Denver, Colorado Sharon Paris Santa Fe, New Mexico Sherry V. Justus Elkins Park, Pennsylvania Shirley M. Clark Issaquah, Washington Stephen R. Bruner Amherst, Massachusetts Stephen W. Hastings Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Steve Bruner Amherst, Massachusetts Steve Pittleman Rockville, Maryland Steve Whitesell Tacoma, Washington Steven Kesselman Albemarle, North Carolina Stuart Croll Tucson, Arizona Sue Consolo-Murphy Wapiti, Wyoming Terrence D. Moore Shamong, New Jersey Terry Michael Di Mattio Driggs, Idaho Terry Swift Petaluma, California Thomas Wilson Napa, California Thomas A. Cherry Loveland, Colorado Thomas Griffiths Clinton, Missouri Thomas L. Habecker Bozeman, Montana Thomas Patterson, Redlands, California Thomas Ritter Eastsound, Washington Thomas W. Sweeney Lynchburg, Virginia Timothy J. Oliverius Mancos, Colorado Timothy M Harvey Canton, Michigan Timothy Manns Mount Vernon, Washington Todd Bolton Smithsburg, Maryland Tom Haraden Castle Valley, Utah Tom Wolfe Arlington, Virginia Travis T Poulson Flagstaff, Arizona Vaughn Baker Estes Park, Colorado Virginia A Rousseau Orleans, Massachusetts Vito Spinale Santa Fe, New Mexico Walter J Chavez Placitas, New Mexico Warren Brown Annapolis, Maryland Warren E Bielenberg Maryville, Tennessee Warren Hill Omaha, Nebraska Wayne T. Jipsen Saint George, Utah Wendy Artz King Salmon, Alaska Wendy Poinsot San Francisco, California William Rice Eagle River, Alaska William C Walters Nashville, Indiana William F. Loftus Vero Beach, Florida William H DeBerry Longview, Washington William J Carroll Hudson, Ohio William L Jackson Fort Collins, Colorado William R. Morris Dolores, Colorado William Reid Manassas, Virginia William Sanders Birdsboro, Pennsylvania William Strain Philadelphia, Pennsylvania William Walters Nashville, Indiana Yeva Cifor Seattle Washington |