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
National Parks Traveler: Coalition Urges Improved NPS Training on Ethics Standards
In an op-ed published in National Parks Traveler, the Coalition calls for the NPS to reform the system it uses to educate its employees on how to work with fundraising partner organizations. Click here to see the article
National Parks Traveler: Interior Secretary Zinke Will Leave By Year’s End
In a recent article about the pending departure of the Secretary of the Interior, Coalition Chair Phil Francis says “it is time for a change.” Click here to see the full article.
Coalition Statement on Potential Government Shutdown
A partial shutdown of the federal government is looking more and more likely. The Coalition is strongly opposed to a government shutdown, which threatens to bring harm to our resources, visitors, and employees.
Coalition’s Statement on Secretary Zinke’s Resignation
Secretary Zinke’s resignation is an opportunity for the current Administration to reconsider our country’s priorities for use of our public lands. Coalition Chair Phil Francis says, “I’m hopeful that Secretary Zinke’s departure marks a new chapter in the story of America’s parks and public lands. During his time as Secretary, our national parks faced unprecedented threats and suffered from a clear lack of support. Now, the current administration must seize this opportunity to appoint a leader who will listen to the needs of those on the ground, work in partnership with the stewards of our public lands, and passionately advocate for the protection of our national parks.” Click “Read More” to read our full statement.
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 Comments on Sochan Gathering in GRSM
The Coalition has submitted comments to Superintendent Cash on shortcomings in the GRSM environmental assessment on Sochan gathering in the park. Click “Read More” to read our letter to the Superintendent.
Coalition Chair Comments on New Park Advisory Board
Phil Francis spoke with the Washington Post about the concerning makeup of the new National Park System Advisory Board. “I hope the agenda will be comprehensive, and not just items consistent with business interests,” Francis said, emphasizing the need for members to view their job as more than just promoting outdoor recreation and managing park concessions. Click Read More for the full article.
Coalition Among Groups Urging for Passage of S. 3172/H.R.6510
The National Parks Second Century Action Coalition, wrote in support of S. 3172/H.R. 6510, Restore Our Parks Act/Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act and final passage in the 115th Congress. Click “Read More” to read our letter and view the photobook delivered to Congress.
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.
Coalition Strongly Opposes Potential Change in Law to Allow Pipeline Construction in National Park
There is legislation pending in Congress that would give the National Park Service (NPS) the authority to allow construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline beneath the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway, endangering the cultural and natural resources contained within the boundaries of both units of the National Park System. Click Read More for our full statement, issued in opposition to this proposed change.
Coalition’s Advocacy Toolkit
Every year, Congress makes decisions that impact our national parks and public lands… and these decisions impact you. We need your help to reach out to members of Congress and advocate for these precious resources. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. We put together an advocacy toolkit to help you reach out to policymakers and join in the fight to protect our parks.
Coalition Urges Training for Employees on Ethics Standards with Donors and Partner Organizations
The Coalition has sent a letter to Acting Director Dan Smith on the necessity of establishing a training program in regards to employee relations with donors and partners. To read our letter, click “Read More”.
Groups File Reply Brief in Appeal of BLM’s Eagle Crest Decision
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.
Time is running out for America’s most important parks program
Coalition Chair, Phil Francis, penned an op-ed in The Hill discussing the urgency of LWCF reauthorization before expiration on September 30th. Click “Read More” to read the article.
Martin: Protect vital Land and Water Conservation Fund
Coalition member Dick Martin wrote an op-ed in the Bakersfield Californian about the necessity of reauthorizing LWCF. Click “Read More” to read the article.