Great Smoky Mountains. Photo by Nic Minetor
President Barack Obama’s proposed 2010 budget allocates $12 billion for the Department of the Interior, which includes an addition of $100 million to the national parks’ operations and maintenance budget. Obama also proposes $25 million to leverage private donations for national park projects.
“President Obama has laid out a fiscally responsible blueprint for 2010,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a prepared statement distributed by the department. “He has made tough choices, underscored his priorities, and stressed the need for federal agencies to carry out their missions with transparency and accountability to the American taxpayer.”
Highlights of the proposed funding for Interior include the following:
- $50 million to promote renewable energy projects on federal lands and waters.
- More than $130 million in additional funding to monitor and assess the impacts of climate change on the nation’s lands, fish and wildlife.
- $100 million in additional funds to operate and maintain national park facilities and resources, and $25 million to leverage private donations for park projects.
- $420 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for Interior and the U.S. Forest Service, to conserve new federal and state lands and protect endangered species
- An increase of more than $100 million for enhanced law enforcement and education in Native American communities
- A new contingent funding reserve of $75 million for the Department of the Interior, in anticipation of future costs for catastrophic wildfires
More information on the President’s 2010 budget for the Department of the Interior is online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/
Comments
But I want to know what YOU think, is this enough for our vast national park system. How much more and where would you like to see funds go.
Hurray!
HI Terra -- Thank you for asking. No, it's not enough -- with a 9 billion dollar backlog of maintenance and construction projects, scientific research that's been delayed for lack of funds, crumbling historic structures that need reinforcement and preservation, remediation required to eradicate invasive species (what's with all the Burmese pythons in the Everglades, for heaven's sake?) and (perhaps worst of all) the number of really good personnel whose jobs have been eliminated, reducing the programs the parks can offer to visitors ... no, it's a drop in the bucket. But that drop is bigger than it's been in years, and that's a great thing.
I don't expect President Obama to be a Teddy Roosevelt and throw his support body and soul behind our national parks. He has much more critical issues to deal with before he can even consider such a thing. It is a big relief, however, to see at least some progress and an acknowledgement of the parks' value as American icons, as one-of-a-kind natural and historic places, and as a critical part of our history and culture. We can only hope to see that support grow and continue.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!