The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks along with the National Parks Conservation Association, the Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club have submitted an appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals for the August 1, 2018 Decision issued by the California State Office, Bureau of Land Management which granted a right of
Federal Court Puts Hold on Wyoming and Idaho Grizzly Bear Hunts
In good news for Yellowstone grizzly bears, a U.S District Court has issued a temporary restraining order to stop grizzly bear hunts in Wyoming and Idaho that were set to begin on September 1, 2018. Click here to see the Courthouse News Service report.
Desert Sun: Don’t let an obsolete energy project hurt Joshua Tree National Park
Coalition Executive Council member, Mark Butler, penned an op-ed opposing proposed energy development around Joshua Tree National Park. Click here to view the op-ed.
Commentary: Oil and gas leases threaten national parks
Sunday, August 26, 2018 Commentary: Oil and gas leases threaten national parks By Walt Dabney | For The Tribune As a former superintendent of Canyonlands National Park in Utah, I am honored to have served as an ambassador for the spectacular cultural and natural resources that are found in this iconic place. It was my
Coalition Opposition to DOI Reorganization
August 16, 2018 The Honorable Ryan Zinke Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C St. N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Susan Combs Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department of the Interior 1849 C St. N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Dear Secretary Zinke: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,600 members
Coalition Comments on Proposed Changes to NEPA
July 30, 2018 Edward A. Boling Associate Director for the National Environmental Policy Act Council on Environmental Quality 730 Jackson Place NW Washington, DC 20503 Via Federal e-Rulemaking portal at: https://www.regulations.gov. Dear Associate Director Boling, We are writing on behalf of the more than 1,600 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
Coalition Comments on Proposed Revision of Gray Wolf Hunting Seasons
May 08, 2018 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Division Attn: Regulations 3030 Energy Lane Casper WY 82604 Subject: Proposed Revision of Chapter 47 Gray Wolf Hunting Seasons Dear Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD): I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,500 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
345 Coalition Members Urge Sec. Zinke to Support LWCF Reauthorization
May 10, 2018 The Honorable Ryan Zinke, Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Subject: Land and Water Conservation Fund Dear Secretary Zinke: We are writing to you on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). The Coalition is comprised of over 1,500 members who
Groups Request Public Comment Period on BLM Lease Sale near Carlsbad Cavern
May 4th, 2018 Honorable Senator Tom Udall 400 Gold Avenue SW, Suite 300 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Honorable Senator Martin Heinrich 400 Gold Avenue SW, Suite 1080 Albuquerque, N.M. 87102 Re: New Mexico September 2018 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale Comment Period (DOI-BLM-NM-P000-2018-0004-EA) Dear Senator Udall, Senator Heinrich, We write today to inform you of
Wyoming should stop hunt of Yellowstone grizzlies
April 28, 2018 Wyoming should stop hunt of Yellowstone grizzlies By Theresa Pierno and Phil Francis guest columnists National Park Week is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the world’s first national park at Yellowstone, as well as the 417 national park sites where people connect with our shared history, refresh their spirits
Washington Post: Proposed shake-up at National Park Service could make senior leaders hit the road
Hear from Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition, in the Washington Post, on the unprecedented scrambling of top NPS career executives. Click here to see the article.
Proposed Repeal of Clean Power Plan Rule is Bad for Parks
The Coalition has partnered with the National Parks Conservation Association and the Appalachian Mountain Club to prepare comments which strongly oppose the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan (CPP) rule. We believe the CPP is an important regulation that is a vital and necessary step towards addressing global human-caused environmental change.
Coalition Members Call on Wyoming Governor to Halt Premature Grizzly Bear Hunt
April 26, 2018 The Honorable Matt Mead, Governor State of Wyoming Idelman Mansion 2323 Carey Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82002-0010 Dear Governor Mead: We, the undersigned, are former and current employees of the National Park Service (NPS) and active members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). With over 1,500 members, the Coalition collectively
Coalition Appeals to NPS to Reconsider Harmful OHV Rule at Glen Canyon NRA
April 26, 2018 Sue Masica, Regional Director Intermountain Region, National Park Service 12795 Alameda Parkway Denver, CO 80225 Subject: Proposed Rule on Motor Vehicle Use, Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1024-AD93 Dear Ms. Masica: We, the undersigned, are former or current employees of the National Park Service (NPS) and active members of the Coalition to Protect
Member OP-ED: Protecting Florida’s national parks means, first, facing climate threats
Everglades National Park and the 10 other units of the National Park System in Florida are in grave jeopardy due to the ongoing impacts of climate change. Click here to see Executive Council member Dick Ring’s letter to the editor of the Broward County-based Sun-Sentinel.
Wyoming Should Halt Plans for Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Hunt
April 24, 2018 Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wildlife Division Attn: Regulations 3030 Energy Lane Casper WY 82604 Dear Wyoming Game and Fish Department: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,500 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit organization composed entirely of retired, former, or current
NPCA Blog Post: What We Stand to Lose at Glacier National Park
A recent blog post about how climate change is impacting parks features long-time Glacier employee and current Coalition member Jack Potter. Click here to see the blog post.
Success Story Update: NPS Announces plan for Modest Entrance Fee Increases
Success Story Update: NPS Announces Plan for Modest Entrance Fee Increases On April 4, 2018, we reported that the U.S. Department of the Interior appeared to be backing away from a plan to drastically increase entrance fees at 17 of the most popular national parks. The proposal was vigorously opposed by gateway communities, park visitors,
Scoping Comments on BLM Plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante NM
Matt Betenson, Associate Monument Manager Bureau of Land Management Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Kanab Field Office 669 South Highway 89 A, Kanab, UT 84741 April 13, 2018 RE: Public Scoping Comments for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Management Planning Dear Mr. Betenson, The National Parks Conservation Association and the Coalition to Protect America’s National
NPS Proposes Irresponsible Increase in OHV Use at Glen Canyon NRA
April 12, 2018 William Shott, Superintendent Glen Canyon National Recreation Area P.O. Box 1507 Page, Arizona 86040 Subject: Proposed Rule on Motor Vehicle Use, Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1024-AD93 Dear Superintendent Shott: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,500 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit
COALITION AND NPCA COMMENT ON BLM MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR DOWNSIZED BEARS EARS NM
Lance Porter, District Manager 365 North Main P.O. Box 7 Monticello, UT 84535 April 11, 2018 Re: Bears Ears National Monument Management Plan Scoping Comments Dear Mr. Porter: The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks submits the following scoping comments regarding the development of Monument Management Plans for the
Coalition Thanks Congress for Passage of 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act
Dear Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Committees, The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks extends its thanks for your efforts in passing the FY 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Coalition consists of over 1,500 retired, former, and current National Park Service employees with over 35,000 years of collective
Coalition Opposes Oil and Gas Leasing Near Great Sand Dunes
April 5, 2018 Mr. Keith Berger Manager, BLM Royal Gorge Field Office 3028 East Main Street Cañon City, CO 81212 Subject: Comments on DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2018-0003-EA September 2018 Oil & Gas Lease Sale, Royal Gorge Field Office Dear Mr. Berger: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,500 members of the Coalition to Protect
Success Story: Interior Department Drops Outrageous Entrance Fee Proposal
Success Story: Interior Department Drops Outrageous Entrance Fee Proposal Multiple news sources report that the U.S. Department of the Interior is backing away from a plan to dramatically increase entrance fees at 17 of the most popular national parks after receiving more than 100,000 public comments from Americans nearly unanimously opposed to the idea. The apparent decision
Colorado BLM Denies Coalition Request for an Extension
The Coalition requested that a 15-day public comment period on an oil and gas lease sale near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve be extended to a more reasonable 30 days. BLM denied the request, stating it was following “current administration guidance” to streamline the NEPA process. March 24, 2018 Mr. Keith Berger Manager,