Yosemite National Park
Sierra Sun Times file photo
June 5, 2017 - The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors will consider approving and authorizing the Chairman to sign a letter of support for National Park Service investment at the Tuesday, June 6, 2017 meeting.
The following information is from the Supervisors Packet Information:
RECOMMENDATION AND JUSTIFICATION:
Approve a Letter of Support for National Park Service Investment; and Authorize the Board of Supervisors Chair to Sign the Letter.
Our National Parks are a great investment, not only for Mariposa County but nation wide. There is currently a $12 Billion repair backlog with $560 million of that in Yosemite National Park alone. In our county we understand that a healthy and sustainable tourism economy requires that our National Parks, including their roads, bridges, trails and infrastructure are safe and well maintained.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF BOARD ACTIONS:
The Board has approved letters supporting legislation that will benefit the County.
ALTERNATIVES AND CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Do not approve the letter. Individual members of the Board may write their own letters of support as desired.
The following is a DRAFT copy
NPS Investment Letter of Support to Feinstein
June 6, 2017
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Re: Support for National Park Service Investment
Dear Senator Feinstein:
On behalf of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, I am writing to express our support for much-needed and overdue investments in National Park Service roads, trails, historic structures and other facilities. The National Park Service faces a $12 billion repair backlog, of which $560 million is within Yosemite National Park.
The County of Mariposa keenly understands that a healthy, sustainable tourism economy for our communities and businesses requires that our national parks, including their roads, bridges, trails and infrastructure are safe and well-maintained. Unfortunately, visitor-serving repairs at Yosemite lag behind.
More than half of this $12 billion repair backlog in the national parks is comprised of park transportation systems (e.g. roads, bridges, tunnels, trails and shuttles). The remaining repair backlog is composed of park visitor centers, ranger housing, water systems, historic sites and more. One-third of the projects must be completed in the near-term to avoid irreparable damage.
Our national parks are a great investment for Mariposa County and our country. For every dollar invested by the federal government in the National Park Service, $10 is returned to the American economy. Continued visitation to Yosemite is a critical contribution to our regional economy.
We look forward to working with you and other members of Congress and the Administration in support of actions to provide major investments through annual funding and dedicated funding that addresses the national park repair backlog, so our nation’s treasures continue to offer visitors safe and enjoyable experiences.
Sincerely,
Marshall Long Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, Chair
Cc. Senator Kamala Harris
Congressman Tom McClintock
