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
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/
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).
OP-ED: Senator Gardner Must Provide Oversight to Keep Colorado’s Public Lands Safe
Coalition member Scot McElveen submitted this Op-ed calling for Senator Gardner to provide real oversight of the Interior Department so that Secretary David Bernhardt’s former clients and special interests are not put ahead of protecting our nation’s public lands. Read Scott’s Op-ed here.
Coalition Interview on LWCF and Maine
Coalition executive council member Mike Murray, a Maine resident explains what the president’s cutbacks would do. Click here to learn more.
Coalition Statement on the House Appropriations Committee draft fiscal year 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Funding Bill
Statement on the House Appropriations Committee draft fiscal year 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill Release Date: 5/15/19 “We pleased to see that this draft funding bill proposes $3.39 billion for the National Park Service, which is $168 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level and $649 million above President Trump’s appalling
LWCF Deserves Full Funding
LWCF has a huge impact in communities and states across the country. Read Coalition Executive Council member Mike Murray’s oped in the Portland Press Herald on the importance of LWCF in his home state of Maine. https://www.pressherald.com/2019/05/15/commentary-program-that-protects-americas-outdoor-places-deserves-full-federal-funding/
Coalition Joins Partners to Advocate for Continued US Engagement in World Heritage Program
May 14, 2019 Dear Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Udall: As organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of the historic and cultural resources of our nation including but not limited to World Heritage Sites, we write in support of the United States’ engagement in the World Heritage Program. We urge you to appropriate $1.926
Coalition Submits Testimony on FY20 Interior Appropriations
Statement of Philip A. Francis, Jr. Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations United States Senate FY 2020 Budget for the National Park Service May 13, 2019 Sen. Murkowski, Sen. Udall, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf
Disappointing News for National Parks: Bernhardt Confirmed as Interior Secretary
Coalition’s Statement on David Bernhardt’s Confirmation as Interior Secretary For Immediate Release: 12 April 2019 The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks expressed disappointment and concern over the confirmation of David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior. The organization represents over 1,700 members consisting of current, former, and retired National Park Service employees with
Bernhardt is Not the Secretary of the Interior that Colorado Needs
Sarah Bransom is a native Coloradan and former National Park Service employee. She serves on the Executive Council for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Read her op-ed in the Colorado Sun – https://coloradosun.com/2019/03/28/david-bernhardt-interior-department-bennet-gardner-opinion/
Bernhardt is a Threat to Maine’s National Parks and Public Lands
Mike Murray is a thirty-four-year veteran of the National Park Service and an Executive Council Member for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Read his op-ed about Mr. Bernhardt in The Times-Record. https://www.timesrecord.com/articles/opinion/retired-park-service-employee-bernhardt-is-bad-news-for-maines-national-park-and-public-lands/
Bernhardt is Bad News for West Virginia Parks
Rebecca Harriett is the former Superintendent at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and an Executive Council Member for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Read her op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail about the troubling nomination of David Bernhardt for Secretary of the Interior. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/gazette_opinion/op_ed_commentaries/rebecca-l-harriett-bernhardt-is-bad-news-for-wv-parks/article_af29484b-cc6e-547d-b063-e6cb6e8cfa00.html