Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
Sierra Sun Times file photo

“In stark contrast to the spending bill that just passed the House, the Senate’s bipartisan proposal seeks to get our national parks back on the right track." - Kristen Brengel, NPCA's SVP of Government Affairs

July 28, 2024 - Washington, D.C. – Last week, the Senate appropriations committee passed nearly unanimously its fiscal year 2025 spending bill for the Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, which stands in strong opposition to the funding cuts recently passed by the House. If enacted, it would provide robust and targeted funding increases for the National Park Service and improve funding for other federal agencies that support our park visitors, wildlife, and clean water.

This increased funding would better protect park resources, bring back 450 park staff positions after years of staffing declines, increase funding to address overdue park maintenance needs and enhance the experience for millions of park visitors. The bill also provides increases at parks across the country to more effectively and impactfully manage, preserve and interpret the stories that shape our nation’s collective history and culture.

Statement by Kristen Brengel, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):

“The Senate stepped up in a big way for our national parks today, prioritizing the robust funding our most beloved places so badly need and deserve.

“From the Everglades to Yosemite, and everywhere in between, millions of visitors are flocking to national parks this summer to experience all they have to offer. Americans love their national parks and want to see them protected and well staffed. NPCA has been steadfast in our push for more park funding, and that’s exactly what the Senate is proposing.

“In stark contrast to the spending bill that just passed the House, the Senate’s bipartisan proposal seeks to get our national parks back on the right track. The proposed investment would bring back hundreds more park staff and provide parks with more resources to help address critical repair needs and better safeguard our nation’s most important places, artifacts and stories.

“Decades of underfunding have resulted in reduced staff and fewer resources to help protect our most treasured places and their irreplaceable cultural and historic resources. In fact, park staffing has eroded by 23% since 2010, while at the same time parks have experienced a 16% increase in visitation. We commend Chairman Merkley, Ranking Member Murkowski and members of the committee for responding to these challenges.

“Parks, visitors, local businesses and the people who dedicate their careers to protecting our most treasured places deserve more support. We urge members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to heed that message and work together to advance a new vision for our parks that reinvests in these special places that mean so much to so many people.”

About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.5 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
Source: NPCA

Related: National Parks Conservation Association Says U.S. House of Representatives 'Egregious' Funding Cuts and 'Harmful' Policies Put Future of National Parks at Risk - Bill Also Rolls Back Protections from Damaging Oil and Gas Activities