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  Invest in National Parks

  My organization, the National Parks Conservation Association, recently released a report highlighting the ready-to-go projects in national parks nationwide that could be included in the economic recovery package.

  On average, national parks receive only 2/3 of needed federal funding annually. As a result, the national parks' backlog of road repair and maintenance and preservation needs exceeds $8.5 billion. The National Park Service could benefit from an investment exceeding $2.5 billion over an 18 month to 2-year timeframe.

  For the coming year alone, the Park Service has identified well over $1 billion worth of ready-to-go park projects across the country. These critical park projects include reconstruction of park bridges and roads, historic building preservation, clean energy programs, trail rehabilitation, control of invasive, exotic species and "greening" park architecture.

  A recent study commissioned by NPCA found that every federal dollar invested in national parks generates at least $4 in economic value to the public. Investing in our national parks will help to improve safety and public access, restore our national heritage, and bring immediate benefits--including upwards of 57,000 new jobs.

  We hope Congress and the Obama Administration seize this historic opportunity to restore our national treasures. To view the report, Working Assets: Reinvesting in National Parks to Create Jobs and Protect America's Heritage, click here: http://www.npca.org/media_center/pdf/stimulus_report-dec_ ...
  On How green will the economic stimulus package be? posted 10 months, 2 weeks ago 4 Responses