March 11, 2025
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The Honorable Lisa Murkowski The Honorable Jeff Merkley |
The Honorable Mike Simpson The Honorable Chellie Pingree |
Dear Senator Murkowski, Senator Merkley, Representative Simpson, and Representative Pingree,
I am to you today writing on behalf of over 3,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit organization composed of retired, former, or current employees and volunteers 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 50,000 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 support full funding for America’s National Heritage Areas in both FY 2025 and FY 2026. For more than two decades, the NPS has administered the National Heritage Area (NHA) program under its mission to preserve nationally significant natural and historic resources. Successful NHA programs represent local and regionally driven partnerships that bring together cultural and natural resource preservation, recreation, education, community building, and economic development opportunities.
The impressive contributions of NHAs to communities across the country are indicative of their importance from coast to coast. In FY 2023, NHAs leveraged nearly $50 million in non-federal contributions, nearly doubling their federal funding. This public-private partnership led to 2.4 million visitors to NHA events in 2023, conducted through partnerships with more than 7,000 organizations. Indeed, one study found that NHAs were responsible for a nearly $13 billion-dollar economic impact in the communities they serve.
Despite growing in numbers, utilization, popularity, and broad bipartisan support, total federal funding for NHAs has remained relatively flat. In fact, in inflation-adjusted dollars, individual NHAs are currently receiving half of the funding they received 20 years ago. While NHAs have proven they are efficient and effective stewards of taxpayer dollars, any additional reduction in federal support jeopardizes their work and the vital programming they administer. We are particularly concerned about inadequate funding with the 250th Anniversary of America’s independence just around the corner; NHAs can and should be central in highlighting the history of our country during this important milestone.
In FY 2025 and FY 2026, the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and its member NHAs are requesting $33.5 million in annual funding for the NHA program, administered through the NPS. This would amount to approximately $500,000 for each NHA – a small price given what they provide to communities. Unfortunately, both the current continuing resolution (CR) and House and Senate versions of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill fall several million dollars short of this modest funding request.
During a time of increased scrutiny over federal spending, we hope members of Congress can recognize the programs that are actually working and providing tremendous returns for taxpayers. We encourage you to ensure that NHAs get the funding they need to celebrate what makes America special.
Sincerely,
Phil Francis, Chair
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
Cc: The Honorable G.T. Thompson, Co-Chair of the National Heritage Area Caucus
The Honorable Paul Tonko, Co-Chair of the National Heritage Area Caucus