June 1, 2020 Charis Wilson, FOIA Officer, P.O. Box 25287 12795 W. Alameda Parkway Denver, CO 80225 Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request Dear Ms. Wilson: This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As background for this request: We submitted a previous FOIA request on April 20, 2020; it was
Coalition Reacts to President Trump’s Remark That National Parks Will Reopen
WASHINGTON, DC —Moments ago, at a tree-planting ceremony on the White House Lawn, President Trump remarked that he would begin to reopen national parks to the public. Phil Francis, Chairman of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (CPANP), issued the following in response: “We understand that the president is eager to reopen our national
Comments on Proposed Ebike Regulation
April 8, 2020 Jay Calhoun, Regulations Program Manager National Park Service 849 C Street NW, MS-2472 Washington, DC 20240 Subject: Comments on Proposed Rule titled “General Provisions; Electric Bicycles” RIN 1024-AE61 Dear Mr. Calhoun: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,800 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition),
Coalition: Grand Canyon Superintendent Selection is Appalling
Coalition: Grand Canyon Superintendent Selection is Appalling The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks expressed shock and disappointment at the news that Department of the Interior (DOI) Solicitor Edward Keable has been named the new Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks: “Ed Keable
Coalition Letter to Acting Director Vela on Continuing COVID-19 Response
April 2, 2020 Mr. David Vela Acting Director National Park Service 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Dear Acting Director Vela: I am writing to you on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition) to express our ongoing concerns about the many units of the National Park System remain open
Coalition Opposes Hunting at Bandelier
April 1, 2020 Dear Chairmen Murkowski and Grijalva and Ranking Members Manchin and Bishop, I am writing to you on behalf of almost 1,800 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), a non-profit organization composed of retired, former, and current employees of the National Park Service (NPS). The Coalition studies, educates,
Coalition Chair Comments on Rising NPS Visitation and Declining Staff
Too many people? Great Smoky Mountains National Park hits record visitation in 2019 KAREN CHÁVEZ | THE CITIZEN-TIMES Updated 6:14 p.m. EST Feb. 13, 2020 Tobias Miller has had his nose to the ground at Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the past 18 years, building, fixing and maintaining the vast network of forest trails
Coalition Testifies at NEPA Public Hearing
Statement of Sarah Bransom Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Regarding Proposed Revisions to CEQ Regulations for the Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act Denver, Colorado Hearing February 11, 2020 Good morning. My name is Sarah Bransom. I am presenting this testimony on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Our group
Coalition Comments on Electric Bicycles in NPS Alaskan Parks
January 29, 2020 National Park Service, Attn: Compendiums Alaska Regional Office 240 West 5th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501 Dear Alaska Regional Office: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition).The Coalition is a non-profit organization composed of retired, former, or current employees of
Coalition Requests Extension of Comment Period for NEPA Update
January 20, 2020 Mary Neumayr, Chair Council on Environmental Quality 730 Jackson Place, N.W. Washington, DC 20503 Edward Boling, Associate Director for the National Environmental Policy Act Council on Environmental Quality 730 Jackson Place, N.W. Washington, DC 20503 Subject: Request for a 60 day Extension of Public Comment Period on “Update to the Regulations for Implementing
Member OP-ED: Trump is Threatening America’s Cornerstone of Environmental Law to Allow for Backroom Deals
TRUMP IS THREATENING AMERICA’S CORNERSTONE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW TO ALLOW FOR BACKROOM DEALS | NEWSWEEK OPINION JUDITH HAZEN CONNERY The Trump administration’s proposal to exempt some of the nation’s most controversial developments, such as pipelines and mines, from scrutiny under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is more than just a bone thrown to corporate
Coalition Comments: Sochan Gathering for Traditional Purposes at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
January 5, 2020 Superintendent Cassius M. Cash National Park Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park 107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738 Dear Superintendent Cash: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition).The Coalition is a non-profit organization composed of retired, former,
Coalition Comments – Ebike Use on Trails
January 4, 2020 Superintendent Craig Kenkel National Park Service Cuyahoga Valley National Park 15610 Vaughn Road Brecksville, OH 44141 Dear Superintendent Kenkel: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition).The Coalition is a non-profit organization composed of retired, former, or current employees of the
The National Park System Deserves Better
The National Park System Deserves Better Release Date: 11/7/19 Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released a statement in response to the recent report by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) on evaporating staff levels at the National Park Service (NPS). “The agency figures released by PEER are incredibly concerning.
Coalition Comments on the Ambler Road Draft Environmental Impact Statement
October 29, 2019 Ted A. Murphy, Associate State Director Bureau of Land Management Ambler Road Draft EIS Comments, BLM Public Room 222 West 7th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99513 Subject: Comments on the Ambler Road Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Dear Mr. Murphy: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of
Coalition Comments on the Draft Environmental and Economic Analysis for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project
October 29, 2019 Gregory Dudgeon, Superintendent Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve 4175 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Subject: Comments on the Draft Environmental and Economic Analysis (EE) for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project Dear Superintendent Dudgeon: I am writing to you on behalf of over 1,700 members of the
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Denounces Attempts to Privatize More NPS Campgrounds
For Immediate Release: 10/26/2019 An advisory panel created by former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is recommending that the Interior Department privatize more campgrounds and allow services such as Wi-Fi and food trucks, in addition to other commercialized services, at national park campgrounds. “The recommendations put forward by the ‘Made in America’ Outdoor
Coalition Talks to NPT About Commercializing More Campgrounds
National Park Campers Voice Strong Objections To Commercializing More Campgrounds By Kurt Repanshek, National Parks Traveler on October 16th, 2019 There is little support among National Parks Traveler readers for commercializing more national park campgrounds and adding WiFi, food trucks, and other amenities. While an advisory committee to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is calling
Say “No” to Soda Mountain Solar
The Bureau of Land Management has given the go ahead to a massive solar energy development proposed by Soda Mountain Solar, LLC that would be constructed less than a mile from the boundary of Mojave National Preserve. The project threatens important wildlife habitat and migration corridors. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s letter opposing the project to the San Bernadino County Board of Supervisors.
Say “No” to Oil Refinery at Theodore Roosevelt NP
Meridian Energy Group proposes to construct and operate an oil refinery approximately three miles from the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s letter opposing the refinery that was sent to the Billings County (ND) Commissioners.
Coalition Comments on Director’s Order #21 – Philanthropic Partnerships
The NPS has proposed changes in its servicewide policies related to philanthropic partnerships and fundraising. While the draft guidance is a step in the right direction, it has a number of shortcomings that need to be addressed to make it more effective for both the NPS and its philanthropic partners. Click “Read More” to see our comments.
NPS Is Revising Its “9B” Oil and Gas Regulations
Did you know that there are currently over 530 oil and gas drilling operations occurring in 12 parks whose enabling legislation authorizes such activities to occur? NPS is updating its 1978 regulations governing such drilling operations and the Coalition has spoken out in support of much needed changes. Click “Read More” to read our full comments.
Op-Ed: This Is No Time To Give Up On America’s National Treasures
There is no denying that many of America’s national parks and historic places are in disrepair today or offering shortened visitor hours, fewer interpretive guides, and other services that should make a visit to one of our national crown jewels a special experience. This is a tragedy, but it is no reason to give up on preserving more of what makes America unique.
Op-Ed: “The most beautiful places on earth: Our public parks and open space”
“With the LWCF expiring in less than 100 days, Congress must act to ensure that future generations have access to healthy outdoor recreation resources. Debate in Congress raises fears that it will fail to continue this valuable program. Congress is failing to demonstrate the kind of overwhelming bipartisan support for conservation and recreation that led to the creation of the Fund 50 years ago and the protection of so many important areas throughout the nation. It’s time for Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.”