Problem parks - Updates - more funds needed for proper maintenance - Brief Article

E: The Environmental Magazine, March-April, 2002 by Jonathan Rogers

The Federal Hall National Monument in New York City--the site of President George Washington's inaugural address--was severely damaged in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Repairs would cost $15 to $17 million, but the National Park Service is hardly in a position to supply the funds (see "The Parks in Peril," feature, March/April 1996). Another historic site in jeopardy is Boston's Old South Meeting House, which suffers from ceiling damage.

"Overall, our four-year study found that parks are running at a 32 percent shortfall, and need an additional $600 million," says Senior Program Manager Scott Edwards of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).

President George W. Bush has proposed $4.9 billion for the national parks over the next five years, which could address the problem, but little of that money has so far been forthcoming. "We applaud Bush's commitment," says Eileen Woodford, NPUA's northeast regional director. CONTACT: NPCA, (202)454-3335, www.npca.org.