The National Park System Deserves Better Release Date: 11/7/19 Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released a statement in response to the recent report by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) on evaporating staff levels at the National Park Service (NPS). “The agency figures released by PEER are incredibly concerning.
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Denounces Attempts to Privatize More NPS Campgrounds
For Immediate Release: 10/26/2019 An advisory panel created by former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is recommending that the Interior Department privatize more campgrounds and allow services such as Wi-Fi and food trucks, in addition to other commercialized services, at national park campgrounds. “The recommendations put forward by the ‘Made in America’ Outdoor
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 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
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
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 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
President Trump’s Proposed Budget Will Harm National Parks and Public Lands
President Trump’s Proposed Budget Will Harm National Parks and Public Lands For Immediate Release: 11 March 2019 The Trump Administration’s FY 2020 budget proposes huge cuts across the federal government. It calls for a 14.9% cut to the National Park Service budget, when compared to the budget passed by Congress for FY19. This budget
Congress Fails to Reauthorize and Fully Fund LWCF
Republican-Controlled Congress Fails to Save LWCF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 20 December 2018 Following the passage of a continuing resolution bill, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks released the following statement calling out the massive failure by the Republican-controlled Congress to include a provision to permanently reauthorize and fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Coalition and NPCA File Amici Brief in Atlantic Coast Pipeline Case
The Coalition and NPCA have filed an amici curiae brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in support of a lawsuit challenging the NPS’s decision to allow a natural gas pipeline to be constructed across the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Click “Read More” for additional information.
Coalition Urges Improved Training on Ethics Standards
CPANP has weighed in on the ethics issues that are currently front and center for the NPS and has called for the agency to undertake far-reaching and detailed reforms to the system it uses to educate its own employees on how to work with donor and partner organizations to raise badly needed support for the nation’s national parks. Click “Read More” to read our recent press release.
Knox News: Georgiana Vines: Coalition concerned about possible cuts to national parks budget
Coalition Chair, Phil Francis, was recently interviewed by the Knoxville newspaper expressing the Coalition’s concern and frustration with plans to cut the NPS’s budget. Click here to see the full article.
Coalition Press Release on National Park Service Advisory Board Resignations
January 17, 2018 Administration’s Anti-Park Agenda Results in Secretary’s Advisory Board Resignations The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is deeply disheartened at the resignation of 9 of the 12 members of the National Park System Advisory Board (Board). “After playing such an active and instrumental role in the planning of the highly successful National
Coalition Participates in Telepresser on the 2008 “Utah 77” Oil and Gas Leases
Coalition Participates in Telepresser on the 2008 “Utah 77” Oil and Gas Leases On December 20, 2017, Coalition member and former NPS Utah State Coordinator Cordell Roy participated in a nation-wide telephonic press conference (telepresser) with members of the news media press to commemorate the anniversary of the “Utah 77” oil and gas leases that
Success Story: BLM Defers Leasing Oil and Gas Parcel Near Theodore Roosevelt NP
Success Story: BLM Defers Leasing Oil and Gas Parcel Near Theodore Roosevelt NP In a terse one-paragraph statement, on December 14, 2017 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its decision to defer (i.e., postpone until a future date) leasing an oil and gas parcel on the boundary of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt
CPANP Approves New Strategic Plan for 2018-2020
STRATEGIC PLAN COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS 2018-2020 Who We Are The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition) was established in 2003. It is an advocacy organization comprised of over 1400 retired, former and current employees of the National Park Service (NPS). It uses its 35,000 years of “voices of experience” to protect
Fee Increase by Administration Goes Too Far The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
The administration’s proposal for a massive fee increase in 17 national parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Arches and Rocky Mountain, goes too far and may have major implications on park visitation and the economies of gateway communities. The fee increases are part of an effort to address the deferred maintenance backlog in the NPS, but the money raised will only cover a small percentage of the billions of dollars required. While creative solutions are required to solve this problem, the proposal as it stands does not adequately address it. Click “Read More” for more information.
NYT: Drilling Near Dinosaur National Monument Draws Criticism
The Coalition spoke out against drilling rights near Dinosaur National Monument. Executive Council member, Mike Murray, described them as “indefensible,” and part of a new wave of “signs and signals” about the administration’s policy intentions. Click “Read More” for more information.
Member OP-ED: Coalition’s letter to the editor of the Helena (MT) Independent Record
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s recent claim that 30 percent of department employees are “not loyal to the flag” is not only ludicrous but also deeply insulting to the hundreds of dedicated Interior employees who live and work in Zinke’s home state of Montana. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s letter to the editor of the Helena (MT) Independent Record.
Coalition Participates in Telepresser on Oil & Gas Development
In August 2017, three Coalition members participated in a telepresser with members of the press focused on oil & gas development around national parks. This call was held to urge Secretary Zinke, DOI and BLM not to lease lands next to any national monuments or national parks, and instead ensure that the lands around our
Say “No” to Pipelines Through Parks
Current law requires specific Congressional approval before an oil or gas pipeline can be built through any unit of the National Park System. However, a proposed amendment to an energy bill being considered in the U.S. Senate would eliminate this requirement and promote the construction of natural gas pipelines through parks. The Coalition and other conservation groups strongly oppose the pipelines-through-parks amendment. Click “Read More” to see our joint letter to members of the U.S. Senate.
Understanding The U.S. House Of Representatives’ Major Attack on Antiquities Act & National Parks
For those of us who have made it our life’s work to keep America’s national parks and monuments truly bipartisan and non-political, the passage of H.R. 1459 is a tragic development.
Goodbye Ranger! Sequestration Will Kill America’s Best Idea
Goodbye Ranger! NPS Retirees Warn That Sequestration Will KILL America’s Best Idea: OUR National Parks 8.3 Percent Cut Could Push Already Budget-Strapped National Parks Off the Fiscal Cliff WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 12, 2012 – The 850-member Coalition of National Park Retirees (CNPSR) says that the impending “fiscal cliff” sequester — with a major 8.3