Omnibus Budget Boosts Funding for National Parks

Posted by Jeff on Dec 17, 2015 @ 3:19 am in Conservation | 1 comment | Last modified: December 17, 2015

Below is a statement by John Garder, Budget Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, on the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill announced December 16, 2015 that includes significant increases in funding for national parks.

“The deal released today clearly shows that congressional appropriators and leadership recognize that our national parks need and deserve an increase in federal resources, and we commend them for reaching such a promising agreement. These are unquestionably the best funding levels for parks we have seen in years, and will be critical for providing needed rangers and making needed repairs in preparation for the expected influx of visitors for next year’s Centennial of the National Park Service.

“It is no small feat that this bill is largely free of additional damaging policy riders that would have harmed our parks’ air, water, and wildlife. While we are concerned this bill includes some policy provisions that could harm our parks, this bill makes critical investments, including a badly needed increase in park maintenance funding. We appreciate that the Administration has pushed for both keeping out damaging policy riders and boosting park funds.

“The bill extends the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s funding stream for three more years, and also provides a robust funding level that will protect many parks throughout the country from the threat of development.”

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