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Sens.
Salazar, Collins, Baucus and Coleman Lead Bipartisan Effort to Meet
National Parks Centennial Challenge
WASHINGTON,
DC – Today, United States Senators Ken Salazar (D-CO), Susan
Collins (R-ME), Max Baucus (D-MT) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) introduced
The National Park Centennial Fund Act, to improve upon, through added
federal investment and charitable contributions, the natural beauty
of America’s national parks in anticipation of the 100th anniversary
of the National Park System in 2016.
The National Park Centennial Fund Act builds upon a proposal offered
by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to foster philanthropic contributions
to the National Park System by providing up to $100 million a year in
federal matching funds for donations made by Americans for ‘signature
projects’ that improve the parks and visitor experiences.
“Almost one-hundred years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt
led the effort to create a system by which the crown jewels of our American
landscape would forever be preserved for future generations to enjoy,”
said Senator Salazar. “I am proud to take the lead
in this bipartisan effort to ensure that all of America’s national parks,
from the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the cliffs of
Acadia National Park in Maine, are ready for their centennial celebration
in 2016 and for the years thereafter.”
“In the past one-hundred
years, our nation’s areas of true pristine beauty have formed our National
Parks system,” said
Senator Collins. “It’s important that our treasures be protected
for the next century, and beyond. I am pleased to join Senator Salazar
on this legislation.”
“Protecting our
outdoor heritage for future generations to enjoy is one of my top priorities,”
Senator Baucus
said. “I’m proud to work together with Sens. Salazar, Collins
and Coleman so our children and our children’s children can go hiking,
fishing and camping in our nation’s crown jewels.”
“Our national park
system is one of our country’s national treasures. As we approach the
100-year anniversary, it is important to ensure these parks will be
available for our children and grandchildren to enjoy over the next
100,” said
Senator Coleman. “I’m excited to join colleagues from both sides
of the aisle in preserving these parks for future generations.”
The Salazar-Collins-Baucus-Coleman bill provides $100 million in mandatory
spending -funded by a new conservation royalty from unanticipated off-shore
oil and gas revenues- for each of the fiscal years from 2008 to 2017
to complete special, select Centennial projects throughout the National
Park System. These projects are to be developed by the Secretary of
Interior with input from the public and National Park Service employees.
Once compiled, the project list will be presented to Congress as part
of the President’s annual budget submission for proper Congressional
review and approval.
The National Park Centennial Fund Act also requires that project proposals
fall into one of seven categories or ‘initiatives’ defined in the bill:
Education, Diversity, Supporting Park Professionals, Environmental Leadership,
Natural Resource Protection, Cultural Resource Protection, Visitor Enjoyment
and Health, and Construction.
In regards to current Park expenditures, the bill specifies that no
more than 30 percent of the amounts available in the fund in any fiscal
year may be spent on construction activities. The bill also specifies
that the federal dollars made available from the Centennial Fund shall
supplement and not replace annual Park Service expenditures,
and that adequate permanent staffing levels must be maintained.
As part of his ongoing effort to prepare America’s national parks for
their 100th year anniversary, Senator Salazar also introduced, with
Senator Kent Conrad (D-N.Dakota), the
National Park Ranger School Partnership Act, which would establish
a pilot grant program to help schools team up with National Parks so
that children, teachers and park rangers can make better use of our
parks as outdoor classrooms.
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