Latest U.S. Park Management Policies Greeted With Approval

WASHINGTON, DC, June 20, 2006 (ENS) - When there is a conflict between resource protection and use in U.S. national parks, conservation will prevail, according to the latest draft of management policies issued Monday by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. Parks should be managed to prevent the impairment of natural and cultural resources, which should be passed on to future generations in a better condition than now exists, the draft states. The draft met with the approval of environmental, industry and parks leaders.

Kempthorne observed that the National Park Service's revised draft 2006 Management Policies are the result of an extensive, and at times intense, public and internal review process. More than 50,000 public comments were submitted during the drafting and review process.

Budd Lake and Cathedral Peak in California's Yosemite National Park (Photo courtesy NPS)

"When there is a conflict between conserving resources unimpaired for future generations and the use of those resources, conservation will be predominant," Kempthorne said. "That is the heart of these policies and the lifeblood of our nation's commitment to care for these special places and provide for their enjoyment."

Joining Secretary Kempthorne at Monday's news conference introducing the policies were Congressman Steve Pearce, a New Mexico Republican; National Park Service Director Fran Mainella; Tom Kiernan, president of the National Parks Conservation Association; and Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the Outdoor Industry Association.

Douglas Wheeler, chairman of the National Park System Advisory Board, said the independent Board was impressed with the revised policies that he said will provide a sound foundation for managing the National Park System.

"These policies are a positive indication of the National Park Service's commitment to protect park resources and values so that they can be enjoyed not only today but also by future generations," he said.

Hugelmeyer said, "High standards are required for national parks. They are the crown jewels, the places that define America. Conservation must always be predominant. It is our professional responsibility as business leaders and our moral duty as Americans to leave these national treasures unimpaired for future generations."

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announces the release of the draft revised National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies. From left, NPS Director Fran Mainella, Tom Kiernan, president of the National Parks Conservation Association; Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the Outdoor Industry Association; and Congressman Steve Pearce, chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks. (Photo by Tami Heilemann courtesy DOI)

“Today is a hopeful day for America’s heritage,” said Kristen Brengel of The Wilderness Society. “Restoring the National Park Service’s policies is recognition that the American public does not want wilderness, clean air, and wildlife protection diminished.”

Over the last nine months, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, The Wilderness Society, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and others have urged that the Department of the Interior’s effort to rewrite the National Park Service’s Management Policies be stopped and the existing 2001 policies remain intact.

The groups raised concerns that the rewrite process should not open the door for disruptive and damaging motorized activities in parks, and that the policies needed to protect park air quality, wildlife, scenic vistas, historic treasures, and other resources that attract millions of visitors annually be maintained.

“While we do not yet have a final draft, our sense is that the National Park Service has produced a proposal we can support,” said NPCA Senior Vice President Ron Tipton.

The draft document released Monday for internal agency review appears to reaffirm the park-protective emphasis of the current policies, the environmentalists said.

They approved of language that confirms the park service’s over-arching predominant mission of long-term preservation, as well as protections for park air quality, wilderness and natural quiet.

Other sections, on topics such as fire management and how and where the National Park Service might approve new cell towers, have been improved over the 2001 policies, the groups said.

Canoeists enjoy more than 27 miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park. (Photo courtesy NPS)

Park employees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on today’s draft over the next three weeks before National Park Service Director Fran Mainella finalizes it.

The August 2005 rewrite of the parks’ Management Policies sparked nationwide controversy when it was leaked and the author identified as Department of the Interior appointee Paul Hoffman. Before joining the department, Hoffman ran the Cody, Wyoming, Chamber of Commerce and served as an aide to then Wyoming Congressman Dick Cheney.

Hoffman’s draft was followed by another draft in October by the Department of the Interior, which also raised concern among bipartisan members of Congress, park experts, and others.

Rob Arnberger, former Alaska regional director for the National Park Service and member of the Executive Council of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, said, “The career professionals of the National Park Service, concerned members of Congress, and the American public who commented on the flawed policies deserve immense credit for turning back the attempt to politicize and diminish the long-standing mission of the National Park Service."

Today, a U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee oversight hearing will be held on the revised draft policies.

"The true test of any vibrant organization is that it can examine itself critically and constructively to strengthen its vision and improve its operations," Kempthorne said. "With these revised policies, the National Park Service has again demonstrated its ability to engage citizens in productive dialogue and benefit from the valuable insights and suggestions of its employees, friends and partners.

The National Park Service decided to revise its management policies because of legal, social and technological developments since they were last updated in 2001. There are new executive orders, laws and regulations that affect park management and the Service has increased responsibilities for homeland security.

Rapid population growth is taking place around parks, there are changes in the types of visitors to parks, improvements in technology that provide new ways to enjoy parks or reduce adverse impacts on resources, and a new focus on strengthening community ties and public trust, the agency said.

The revised draft of the National Park Service's 2006 Management Policies is online at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/waso