FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 25, 2017
Angela Gonzales, Press Secretary
P: 202.419.3712 | media@nationalparksaction.org
Washington, DC — This week, the Trump Administration released its proposed FY2018 budget, which includes serious cuts to the National Park Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These cuts, 13 percent to the Park Service and 31 percent to the EPA, would seriously undermine the protection, management, and resilience of our national parks.
The budget proposal includes cuts to historic preservation, interpretative services, and staff positions at the Park Service. The cuts to the EPA include significant reductions or complete elimination of key programs aimed at protecting parks’ air and waters.
Statement by Kristen Brengel, Executive Director of National Parks Action Fund:
“National parks cannot run on nickels and dimes. When Glacier National Park has record visitation for three years in a row, it is a sign that we need to ensure it is protected and maintained for all visitors. This budget is a setback.
“The Administration is proposing the biggest cut to the National Park Service in over 70 years. They are cutting funding for park repairs, operations and even staffing. Critical funding to restore wildlife habitat and clean water to parks like Golden Gate National Recreation Area through programs supporting restoration of the San Francisco Bay should continue to be a priority. Our water and wildlife deserve a chance to thrive, but this budget completely eliminates programs like these.
“These cuts would greatly impact all visitors to our national parks and make our country’s shining crown jewels dull to the world. Congress must prevent this budget from seeing the light of day and they must pass a budget that ensures national parks will be preserved for future generations to explore and enjoy.”
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About National Parks Action Fund
National Parks Action Fund (Action Fund) is the 501(c)(4) of National Parks Conservation Association. The Action Fund’s fundamental goal is to protect, restore, and fund the National Park System by informing the public about threats facing our parks, educating members of Congress about proposals to help parks, and influencing candidates’ positions to forward those proposals.