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
Protest of Bears Ears National Monument Proposed Monument Management Plan
The Coalition along with several partners submitted comments protesting the Bears Ears National Monument Proposed Monument Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement. Read the document here.
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 Comments – Proposed Rule, National Environmental Policy Act Compliance
August 21, 2019 NEPA Services Group c/o Amy Barker USDA Forest Service 125 South State Street, Suite 1705 Salt Lake City, UT 841 Subject: RIN: 0596-AD31, Proposed Rule, National Environmental Policy Act Compliance Dear Ms. Barker: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
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 Comments on Potential NPS E-bikes Policy
July 30, 2019 Mr. P. Daniel Smith, Acting Director National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Subject: National Park Service E-Bike (Electric Bicycle) Policy Dear Mr. Smith: I am writing to you on behalf of the 1,700+ members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). The Coalition consists mainly of retired
OP-ED: Vermont Benefits Greatly from LWCF
Coalition members Rolf Diamant and Abby Miller describe how Vermont benefits greatly from the Land and Water Conservation Fund program and believe full and mandatory funding is vital for its continued success. https://www.rutlandherald.com/opinion/commentary/lwcf-must-receive-full-funding/article_046620f2-e7c2-5b74-9226-4ad8ac8fa904.html
OPINION: Alaska’s parks and public lands deserve protection
Coalition member and former Alaska NPS Regional Director Marcia Blaszak wrote in support of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund as an essential tool for protecting America’s national parks and public lands. OPINION: Alaska’s parks and public lands deserve protection
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
CPANP Chair Appears on CNN
Watch – CPANP Chair Phil Francis Appears on CNN
CPANP Issues Statement on NPS Funds Diverted for Salute to America
“As we find out more about President Trump’s plans for the National Mall on the Fourth of July, there is more and more reason to be alarmed about this administration’s view of our National Park System. Recent reporting in the Washington Post indicates that $2.5 million in National Park entrance fees have been diverted
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************@********ps.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
Coalition Comments on Growing Costs of July 4th Celebration on The Mall.
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Chair Phil Francis, stated in an email to the Washington Post, “The men and women of the National Park Service have been asked to do more with less for too long. Funds should be directed to the agency’s highest needs such as operation of the parks and the maintenance
Coalition Weighs in On Lack of Law Enforcement Rangers in Parks
Coalition Chair, Phil Francis, discusses how NPS superintendents are having to make tough decisions about what jobs to fill due to inadequate funding. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/06/29/national-parks-rangers-vanishing-putting-visitors-risk/1503627001/
Opinion: Land and Water Conservation Fund benefits South Carolina
As superintendent at Fort Sumter and throughout my 35-year career with the National Park Service (NPS), I worked to protect and preserve our nation’s most treasured natural and cultural resources. I saw firsthand the value of getting Americans outside, into our national parks and connected with their heritage. I also saw the importance of the
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 Continues to Push for LWCF Funding as Bernhardt visits National Parks
Coalition Executive Council member Doug Morris is interviewed in National Parks Traveler.
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).