National Parks Traveler Episode 77: July’s National Parks News Roundup By Kurt Repanshek – August 2nd, 2020 In this week’s show, we look back at the top news stories from the park system in July. There was the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act by Congress, the ongoing issue of the coronavirus pandemic
Coalition Signs on to FY21 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Letter
July 23, 2020 Dear Representative, We, the members of the National Parks Second Century Action Coalition , ask that you support the FY21 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as part of the minibus package. We also urge you to oppose any policy riders that harm our national parks. We support the robust $200
Upcoming Webinar: Take Action – Oil and Gas Leasing
July 27, 2020 Join us for a virtual discussion on oil and gas leasing and the impacts on our national parks and public lands. Learn about the leasing process, the Coalition’s advocacy efforts, and how you can become an advocate and help protect our parks. The event will feature Matt Kirby, the Director of Energy
Coalition Signs On to Comments on Migratory Bird Treaty Act
July 20, 2020 BY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION Via Federal eRulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0090 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service MS: JAO/lN 5275 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 Re: Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0090, Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Regulations Governing Take of Migratory Birds Please accept the following comments on behalf of over 35 undersigned organizations, which
Coalition Supports Legislation to End Non-Competitive Leasing
U.S. Senator Jon Tester introduced legislation requiring the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to issue all oil and gas leases through competitive auction, ending noncompetitive leasing and encouraging government inefficiency. Noncompetitive leases are lands that the market has determined have little or no potential for oil and gas development. They are commonly purchased by
Coalition: NEPA Changes Are Unacceptable
This administration continues to prioritize the interests of oil and gas companies and industry over public health and the protection of our planet. This is unacceptable. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a critical tool that allows the National Park Service and other federal agencies to protect and preserve irreplaceable natural and cultural
Coalition Joins Partners in Comments on Upcoming Oil and Gas Lease Sale
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance – Center for Biological Diversity – Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks – Great Old Broads for Wilderness – Living Rivers – National Parks Conservation Association – Natural Resources Defense Council – Old Spanish Trail Association – Partnership for the National Trails System – Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility – The
Coalition Files Joint Amicus Brief in Opposition to SAFE Rule
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks joined the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and filed an amicus brief with the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, a legal challenge to the Trump Administration’s attempt to eliminate California’s authority to apply its own automobile emission standards under the Clean Air Act. In the brief, we
Coalition Submits Comments on NPS Jurisdiction in Alaska
June 29, 2020 Donald Striker, Acting Regional Director National Park Service Alaska Regional Office 240 West 5th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501 Submitted via regulations.gov Subject: Comments on Proposed Rule – National Park Service Jurisdiction in Alaska RIN: 1024-AE63 Dear Mr. Striker: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,800 members of the Coalition
Coalition Signs On to Support H.R. 2, the “Moving Forward Act.”
June 29, 2020 Dear Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Chairman DeFazio, Ranking Member Graves, Chairman Grijalva, and Ranking Member Bishop: On behalf of our organizations and our millions of members and supporters, we want to thank you for the positive wildlife and public lands conservation provisions in H.R. 2, the “Moving Forward Act.” We appreciate
Coalition: Fireworks at Mount Rushmore a Bad Idea
Firework Celebration at Mount Rushmore is A Bad Idea The National Park Service has announced it will resume Fourth of July fireworks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The event this year will be held on July 3, 2020, and President Trump has indicated he plans to attend. The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
Coalition Member Comments on Mount Rushmore Fireworks Demonstration
Trump is headlining fireworks at Mount Rushmore. Experts worry two things could spread: virus and wildfire. National Park Service and local fire marshal officials have warned for years about dangers in resuming fireworks at the memorial. By Juliet Eilperin, Darryl Fears and Josh Dawsey Published in The Washington Post – June 25, 2020 President Trump
Former NPS Alaska Managers Submit Letter to DOI Opposing NPS Final Rule on Hunting and Trapping in Alaska
June 19, 2020 The Honorable Rob Wallace Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Subject: National Park Service Final Rule on Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves in Alaska (RIN 1024-AE38) Dear Assistant Secretary Wallace: We write to you on behalf
Yellowstone National Park’s Reopening Protocol is Commendable
June 18, 2020 Dear Acting Director Vela: I am writing to you on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks to commend Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly, his staff, and local public health partners for their outstanding management and implementation of the park’s COVID-19 reopening plan. We are impressed and greatly
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Applauds Momentous Movement on Great American Outdoors Act
WASHINGTON, DC — Earlier today, the United States Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act by a vote of 73-25. The bill now moves to the House for final passage. This act would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a popular program that invests in national parks, public lands, and communities across
Coalition Joins Partners in Support of INVEST in America Act
June 16, 2020 Dear Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, We, the members of the National Parks Second Century Action Coalition, write in support of the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (INVEST in America Act), especially the increased funding levels for federal lands to help
Amid pandemic, Interior moves forward with enormous oil and gas drilling plan on public lands near National Parks
Contact: Liam Kelly, National Parks Conservation Association, 213-814-8666, lk****@**ca.org Landon Newell, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, 801.428.3991, la****@**wa.org Salt Lake City, UT – The Trump administration has released its proposal to open up more than 110,000 acres of public land to oil and gas drilling, most of which lies in southern Utah near Canyonlands,
Coalition Chair Talks Great American Outdoors Act on This Green Earth
Phil Francis from the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks joins Nell and Chris on This Green Earth to talk about “The Great American Outdoors Act”, a bill designed to provide full and permanent funding for LWCF and help address the deferred maintenance backlog in national parks.
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Applauds Introduction of the Bill in the House of Representatives, Senate Cloture Vote
WASHINGTON, DC — Earlier today, the US Senate held a cloture vote to advance the Great American Outdoors Act just days after the legislation was also introduced in the US House of Representatives. The Great American Outdoors Act would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a popular program that invests in public
Coalition Condemns President Trump’s Removal of Marine Protections on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
President Trump announced Friday that he will remove protections on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, a nearly 5,000-square-mile area southeast of Cape Cod that is home to endangered whales and sea turtles, and will open the area up to commercial fishing. In reaction to the announcement, Phil Francis, chair of the coalition
Coalition Participates in House Virtual Forum on Parks and Pandemic
Statement of Philip A. Francis, Jr. Chair of the Executive Council Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Committee on Natural Resources Virtual Forum House of Representatives “Not So Grand Opening: Examining Local Perspectives on the Department of the Interior’s Plan to Reopen National Parks During the Coronavirus
Comments on Proposed Rule titled “General Provisions; Electric Bicycles.”
June 2, 2020 Jay Calhoun, Regulations Program Manager National Park Service 849 C Street NW, MS-2472 Washington, DC 20240 Subject: Comments on Proposed Rule titled “General Provisions; Electric Bicycles.” RIN 1024-AE61. Dear Mr. Calhoun: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,800 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition),
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Condemns President’s Use of Violence
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Condemns President’s Use of Violence Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, issued the following statement: The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks condemns the recent and continued attacks on people of color in this country. We mourn the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor,
Coalition Chair Is Guest on Great Battlefield Podcast
Phil Francis joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about his 40-year career working for our National Parks and how The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is working to preserve our Parks and Park Service at a time when they are under attack. Listen here.
Coalition Praises Senate Movement on Great American Outdoors Act
Former National Park Service Employees Praise Senate Movement on Great American Outdoors Act, Urge Swift Passage WASHINGTON, DC — Late yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate would take up the Great American Outdoors Act when it returns next month. The legislation would fully-fund the popular conservation program investing in public