Coalition Chair, Phil Francis, was recently interviewed by the Knoxville newspaper expressing the Coalition’s concern and frustration with plans to cut the NPS’s budget. Click here to see the full article.
Coalition Submits Scoping Comments to BLM on Ambler Road Project
January 31, 2018 Tim La Marr, Central Yukon Field Manager Ambler Road Scoping Comments Anchorage, Alaska 99513 Re: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ambler Road Project Dear Mr. La Marr: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,400 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National
Coalition Comments on Ambler Road Project at Gates of the Arctic NP
January 29, 2018 Greg Dudgeon, Superintendent Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve 4175 Geist Rd Fairbanks AK 99709 Subject: Ambler Mining Industrial Access Project, Environmental and Economic Impact Analysis (EEA) Dear Superintendent Dudgeon: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,400 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition),
Interior Proposes to Weaken Offshore Oil and Gas Safety Requirements
January 29, 2018 Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Attention: Regulations Development Branch 45600 Woodland Road, VAE-ORP Sterling VA 20166 Subject: Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Production Safety Systems – Revisions, RIN 1014-AA37 Dear Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE): I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,400 members of the
Backpacker: What New Offshore Drilling Means for National Parks
The Department of the Interior proposes to open the vast majority of America’s coastal waters for oil and gas drilling, raising concerns among conservation groups such as the Coalition about potential impacts to dozens of coastal parks. Interior’s proposal is the topic of an article in Backpackerthat included an interview with the Coalition’s
Coalition Press Release on National Park Service Advisory Board Resignations
January 17, 2018 Administration’s Anti-Park Agenda Results in Secretary’s Advisory Board Resignations The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is deeply disheartened at the resignation of 9 of the 12 members of the National Park System Advisory Board (Board). “After playing such an active and instrumental role in the planning of the highly successful National
Washington Post: Nearly all members of National Park Service advisory panel resign in frustration
Nearly all the members of the National Park Service Advisory Board resigned, citing frustration that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had refused to meet with them or convene a single meeting last year. The resignation of nine out of 12 NPSAB members leaves the federal government without a functioning body to designate national historic or natural landmarks. Click
Salon: Trump’s Interior secretary wages war on “deep state”: his own staff
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks strongly believes that Secretary Zinke’s proposed reorganization of the Department of Interior lacks transparency and threatens our national parks. Click here to read an article in Salon, which features a quote from the Coalition’s Chair, Phil Francis, explaining that the proposed changes will weaken oversight of our
CNN: Grand Canyon is a national treasure, not a place for uranium mining
Two former NPS Superintendents, Steve Martin & Rob Arnberger, wrote an op-ed on proposed uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. Click here to see the work of these two Coalition members.
Recent Court Ruling Raises Questions about Delisting of Yellowstone Grizzly Bears
January 4, 2018 Public Comments Processing ATTN: FWS-R6-ES-2017-0089 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC 5275 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3803 Subject: Possible Effects of Court Decision on Grizzly Bear Recovery in Conterminous United States Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,400 members of the
Coalition Participates in Telepresser on the 2008 “Utah 77” Oil and Gas Leases
Coalition Participates in Telepresser on the 2008 “Utah 77” Oil and Gas Leases On December 20, 2017, Coalition member and former NPS Utah State Coordinator Cordell Roy participated in a nation-wide telephonic press conference (telepresser) with members of the news media press to commemorate the anniversary of the “Utah 77” oil and gas leases that
Success Story: BLM Defers Leasing Oil and Gas Parcel Near Theodore Roosevelt NP
Success Story: BLM Defers Leasing Oil and Gas Parcel Near Theodore Roosevelt NP In a terse one-paragraph statement, on December 14, 2017 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its decision to defer (i.e., postpone until a future date) leasing an oil and gas parcel on the boundary of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt
CPANP Approves New Strategic Plan for 2018-2020
STRATEGIC PLAN COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS 2018-2020 Who We Are The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition) was established in 2003. It is an advocacy organization comprised of over 1400 retired, former and current employees of the National Park Service (NPS). It uses its 35,000 years of “voices of experience” to protect
Testimony Before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Natural Resources
Statement of Denis P. Galvin Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Natural Resources United States House of Representatives “Transforming the Department of the Interior for the 21st Century” December 7, 2017 Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today
Member OP-ED: Preserve national parks. This land is your land, Florida
As the former Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, I have a deep appreciation for the natural wonders Florida has to offer. And so after 32 years with the National Park Service, I’ve dedicated my retirement to standing up for America’s outdoor heritage. I want to ensure that these treasures are around
Coalition Nominates Deny Galvin for Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee
November 17, 2017 Terry Austin, Associate Director for Business Services National Park Service, Office of Business Services 1849 C Street NW., MS 2717 Washington, DC 20240 Subject: Nomination of Denis P. Galvin for “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee Dear Ms. Austin: I am writing to you on behalf of the
Comments on Proposed Targeted Fee Increases at 17 National Parks
Read this as a PDF November 13, 2017 Christine Williamson National Park Service 1849 C Street, NW Mail Stop: 2346 Washington, DC 20240 Subject: Comments on Proposed Targeted Fee Increases at 17 National Parks Dear Ms. Williamson: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,400 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s
Coalition Urges Preservation of the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program
In a letter to the members of the House Ways & Means Committee, the Coalition requested that the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program be retained in a reformed tax code when Congress considers H.R. 1, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. The introduced bill fails to include this vital federal tax incentive – a proven tool that creates local jobs, preserves historic buildings and returns more to the Treasury than it costs.
Coalition Comments on Proposed Oil and Gas Leasing Near Theodore Roosevelt NP
The Coalition and the National Parks Conservation Association have submitted a joint comment letter to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) expressing concerns about proposed oil and gas leasing along the boundary of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Click “Read More” to see our letter to the BLM.
Fee Increase by Administration Goes Too Far The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
The administration’s proposal for a massive fee increase in 17 national parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Arches and Rocky Mountain, goes too far and may have major implications on park visitation and the economies of gateway communities. The fee increases are part of an effort to address the deferred maintenance backlog in the NPS, but the money raised will only cover a small percentage of the billions of dollars required. While creative solutions are required to solve this problem, the proposal as it stands does not adequately address it. Click “Read More” for more information.
Bakersfield Californian: Maintenance, repairs greatly needed in our national parks
Executive Council member, Dave Graber, spoke out in his local newspaper, the Bakersfield Californian, about the significant need to address the NPS maintenance backlog. Graber says, “Congress has a chance to turn the maintenance backlog around. If passed, the bipartisan National Park Legacy Act (S.751/H.R.2584) will ensure that there is dedicated funding for park maintenance in each year’s budget.” Click “Read More” to read Dave’s editorial.
NYT: Drilling Near Dinosaur National Monument Draws Criticism
The Coalition spoke out against drilling rights near Dinosaur National Monument. Executive Council member, Mike Murray, described them as “indefensible,” and part of a new wave of “signs and signals” about the administration’s policy intentions. Click “Read More” for more information.
Over 350 Coalition Members Sign On & Express Disappointment in Zinke’s Monument Review
This fall, over 350 former employees of the National Park Service joined the Coalition’s sign-on letter expressing extreme disappointment with the results of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s recent review of national monuments. The recommendations from Zinke – which included downsizing several monuments – came at the conclusion of an unprecedented 4-month review of over two-dozen monuments designated since 1996, which was initiated by an April Executive Order from President Trump. Efforts by the Trump Administration to remove protections from national monuments or significantly downsize them would be unprecedented and are likely to be met with a quagmire of legal challenges. Click “Read More” to read the letter sent to Secretary Ryan Zinke.
Coalition Statement on NPS Work Environment Survey
In response to the NPS Work Environment Survey, the Coalition released a statement expressing our concern on the results and our cautious optimism of the first steps that have been taken to address the far reaching harassment issues in the service. The NPS’s future success depends on taking comprehensive and effective steps to make cultural changes in the workplace. The first steps that have been taken are positive, but it must be a long-term and continuous strategy to make an impact.
Over 350 Coalition Members Sign On & Express Disappointment in Zinke’s Monument Review
October 17, 2017 The Honorable Ryan Zinke, Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Subject: Executive Order 13792 (National Monument Review) Dear Secretary Zinke: We are writing to you on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). With over 1,400 members, the Coalition is composed entirely