While our national parks are experiencing record-breaking crowds, they also face a nearly $12 billion backlog of needed repairs … from aging historic structures to thousands of miles of crumbling roads, bridges, and trails. The National Park Service does not have enough staff to fulfill its mission. And park superintendents are forced to make tough decisions on shoestring budgets.
Fortunately, the president's new budget proposal calls for a substantial increase in funding for our national parks.
Please ask Congress to stand up for our national parks and support the proposed budget. If they don't make our parks a priority in this, the National Park Service's centennial year, when will they?
Thank you for taking action today to help to protect and preserve our national parks!
Dear [Representative/Senator],
I'm writing to express my strong support for an increase in funding for our national parks in Fiscal Year 2017. In particular, I respectfully ask you to support an increase in funding for operations and maintenance, and for the Centennial Challenge program that leverages private dollars with matching federal funding to make critical investments in our national parks.
Last year's spending bill provided a much-needed boost for our national parks, and congressional support for the president's Fiscal Year 2017 budget would build on these gains and ensure we do not lose momentum.
As the National Park Service celebrates its centennial year, the agency faces significant challenges, including a lack of funding just to keep up with its nearly $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog and not enough staff to fulfill its mission all while handling record-breaking crowds.
Our parks preserve and protect some of America's most treasured natural, historic and cultural sites. I urge you to work together with your colleagues in Congress to ensure the National Park Service has the funding and resources it needs to fulfill that mission.
[Your comments]
Thank you for considering my views as the Fiscal Year 2017 funding process gets underway.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
