Approve national parks funding plan

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 8, 2007

ABUSH administration plan to match private contributions with federal dollars could mean a welcome infusion of new funding to enhance America's national parks.

Congress should approve the plan to encourage increased philanthropy to support special park projects, but with requirements that it be undertaken with care.

Donations should not encourage commercialization, and the projects should preserve the natural beauty and resources that make parks unique.

Increased philanthropy is no excuse for Congress or the White House to ignore their obligations to sufficiently fund the parks' annual operations with tax dollars.

Using "partnership pledges" from private citizens, foundations, companies and others, the National Park Service hopes to raise millions of dollars between now and the service's centennial in 2016.

To encourage donations, Bush wants Congress to appropriate $100 million in matching funds this coming year and each year after that.

The "Centennial Challenge" money would go only for special projects that probably would never get done otherwise.

The enhancements would not solve basic problems caused by an estimated $800 million annual shortfall in appropriations. Damaged trails, scarce park rangers, limited hours at visitor centers and other problems affect visitors to the parks. Help finally may be on the way in the House's budget bill. It calls for an additional $200 million for park operations in the next fiscal year. That would be a great start.

Kansas City Star