February, 27 2009, 01:34pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Andrea Keller Helsel, National Parks Conservation Association, P: 202.454.3332
National Parks Conservation Association Praises Obama Administration Budget Proposal for National Parks
Statement by National Parks Conservation Association President Tom Kiernan
WASHINGTON
"In keeping with his campaign promise to address the critical needs of our national parks, President Obama has proposed a fiscal year 2010 budget for the national parks that continues the federal commitment toward restoring our national parks in time for the 2016 centennial of the National Park Service.
"The president's budget proposal includes an increase of $100
million plus inflation to operate and maintain our national parks,
funds the parks' public-private partnership program, and offers a solid
commitment to fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which would
help to prevent inappropriate development inside national parks.
"This funding will also help to rehire rangers in our national
parks, cover increasing fixed costs, maintain historic buildings, offer
public education programs, and begins to address other critical needs
created by the parks' chronic, $750-million annual operating shortfall
and a backlog of maintenance projects that exceeds $8 billion.
"We applaud the president for proposing $130 million for land
management agencies, including the National Park Service, to assess and
respond to the effect of global warming on wildlife.
America's National Park System is the wellspring of America's wildlife.
Sustaining healthy fish and wildlife populations in our national parks
requires unspoiled parkland and water habitat, migration and movement
corridors, and healthy adjacent lands.
"The Obama Administration
clearly recognizes the importance of national parks to our economy,
American jobs, quality of life, and future, and, as evident by this
budget proposal, intends to help protect this legacy for our children
and grandchildren."
NPCA is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the U.S. National Park System.
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