The Coalition, NPCA, Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club have jointly filed a reply brief with the Interior Department Board of Land Appeals as part of their challenge to BLM’s decision to grant a right-of-way for the Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project near Joshua Tree National Park. Click “Read More” to see the reply brief.
Joint Letter to Congress Urging the Reauthorization and Funding of the LWCF
Congress has failed to reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), despite widespread public support for our nation’s primary source for preserving nationally significant public lands and providing recreational opportunities in communities across the country. As the Voice of Experience, we know firsthand how important the LWCF is to national parks and other public lands. Click “Read More” to read our letter to Congress, sent in partnership with those who have worked for the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Land Management.
CPANP Urges Congress to Suspend Action on H.R. 6687
The Coalition has sent a letter to Senators Murkowski and Cantwell to urge suspension of further action on H.R. 6687, a bill that would circumvent established processes and mandate that the National Park Service issue long-term leases to continue commercial cattle ranching operations in Point Reyes National Seashore and the northern portion of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Coalition Voices Concern about Atlantic Coast Pipeline
The Coalition sent a letter to Acting Director, Dan Smith, voicing our concern about the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the permit granted by the NPS to allow the natural gas pipeline to cross the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Click “Read More” to read our full letter.
NPS EA for Proposed Alaska Hunting Rule Change is Deeply Flawed
A National Park Service environmental assessment (EA) fundamentally fails to take a hard look at the potential impacts of a proposed rule change that would open Alaska’s national preserves to a variety of controversial and unsportsmanlike hunting practices that target predator species. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s comments on the EA.
National Parks Can’t Afford EPA’s So-called Affordable Clean Energy Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed repeal of the 2015 Clean Power Plan rule would roll back robust air emission standards for existing coal-fired power plants. The 2015 rule would be replaced with much weaker requirements under the EPA’s proposed Affordable Clean Energy rule. Click “Read more” to see the joint comment letter submitted to the EPA by the Coalition and 79 other groups.
The LWCF Must Be Reauthorized Without Further Delay
Congress’ failure to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will have long-reaching and devastating impacts for communities across the United States. The LWCF has been our nation’s primary source for preserving nationally significant public lands and providing recreational opportunities in local communities throughout the country for over 50 years. The Coalition urges Congress to fully fund and permanently reauthorize the LWCF without delay.
Federal Court Overturns Delisting of Yellowstone Grizzly Bears
In a ruling widely applauded by Native American tribes and conservation groups, a U.S. District Court judge in Montana has restored federal protections to about 700 grizzly bears living in and around Yellowstone National Park. For more information, click “Read More”
Coalition Opposes Weakening Endangered Species Act Regulations
The Coalition has joined 56 other conservation groups in signing a joint comment letter strongly opposing the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s and National Marines Fisheries Service’s proposed revisions to the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations. Click “Read More” to see the letter.
Coalition Condemns Cynical Proposal to Repeal NPS Alaska Hunting Regulations
At the direction of the Interior Department, the National Park Service has issued a proposed rule that would open Alaska’s national preserves to controversial and unsportsmanlike hunting practices such as: killing black bear cubs and sows with cubs at den sites; shooting brown bears at bait stations; and killing wolves with pups during the denning season. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s comments on the proposed rule.
Coalition Voices “Process” Concerns About Proposed NPS Repeal of Alaska Hunting Regulations
In May 2018, the National Park Service (NPS) published a proposed rule that would repeal a 2015 regulation that prohibits a number of controversial hunting and trapping methods from occurring on National Preserves in Alaska. Despite the high level of public opposition to the proposed repeal, NPS has yet to release a NEPA analysis of its impacts. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s letter to the NPS.
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Joins in IBLA Appeal to Protect Joshua Tree National Park
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
The Hill: Visit a national park to see the real impacts of climate change
Dear EPA, visit a national park to see the real impacts of climate change The nation’s top environmental watchdog, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Trump administration, recently proposed a new rule to replace the Clean Power Plan, which would have significantly reduced air pollution from coal plants and helped curb future climate disasters.
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Joins in IBLA Appeal to Protect Joshua Tree National Park
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
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