For release: July 29, 2024
Contact: Emily Thompson, Em************@pr********.org
Concern Over FY 2025 NPS Budget
The House of Representatives passed an FY 2025 spending bill for the Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies last week. This bill would cut over $200 million -more than 6% – from the budget of the National Park Service (NPS).
Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, issued the following statement regarding the FY 2025 House spending bill:
“This bill is devastating for the National Park Service. It contains cuts to construction and maintenance, historic preservation, and other federal programs that help protect clean air and water.
The largest cut would be to park operations, which would decimate parks that are already woefully understaffed. It would destroy already low employee morale and might just be the breakpoint for employees who are constantly forced to do more with less.
These cuts will not just harm NPS employees. Budget cuts like this will result in hundreds more lost positions, which will reduce visitor services, lessen the quality of the visitor experience, and jeopardize both visitor and resource protection. This, in turn, will threaten local economies that rely on park visitation.
In addition to budget cuts, there are numerous harmful amendments that would roll back protections for parks and public lands from nearby oil and gas development and undermine the Antiquities Act, a conservation tool successfully deployed by presidents of both parties to help protect irreplaceable natural and cultural resources.”
Also last week, the Senate appropriations committee passed its FY 2025 spending bill for the Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, which would provide increased funding for the NPS and related agencies.
“It was a relief to see the Senate appropriations committee’s bill,” said Phil Francis. If enacted, the Senate spending bill will restore lost positions to the National Park Service and increase funding to address park maintenance needs. This is the type of support we need in the National Park Service.
We urge Congress to invest in our national parks and public lands and prioritize protecting these irreplaceable spaces for future generations”.
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The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks represents over 2,700 current, former, and retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service, with over 45,000 collective years of stewardship of America’s most precious natural and cultural resources. Recognized as the Voices of Experience, the Coalition educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation and protection of the National Park System, and mission-related programs of the National Park Service. More information can be found at https://protectnps.org