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.
Florida legislators, step up and save the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Read Executive Council member, Dick Ring’s op-ed in the Sun-Sentinel, urging Florida legislators to reauthorize LWCF. Click “Read More” to read the article.
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
Federal Court Puts Hold on Wyoming and Idaho Grizzly Bear Hunts
In good news for Yellowstone grizzly bears, a U.S District Court has issued a temporary restraining order to stop grizzly bear hunts in Wyoming and Idaho that were set to begin on September 1, 2018. Click here to see the Courthouse News Service report.
Desert Sun: Don’t let an obsolete energy project hurt Joshua Tree National Park
Coalition Executive Council member, Mark Butler, penned an op-ed opposing proposed energy development around Joshua Tree National Park. Click here to view the op-ed.
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