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Skriven 2007-02-07 23:31:16 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070207) for Wed, 2007 Feb 7
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Fact Sheet: The National Parks Centennial Initiative
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 7, 2007

Fact Sheet: The National Parks Centennial Initiative



Today, President And Mrs. Bush Visited Shenandoah National Park To
Highlight The National Parks Centennial Initiative.ÿShenandoah National
Park is a strong model for illustrating how the President's FY 2008 budget
and the Centennial Initiative will benefit the National Park System.ÿ
Overall, the President's FY 2008 Parks budget, totaling nearly $2.4
billion, is the largest ever for park operations, and includes the highest
increase ever in parks operations funding.ÿ For the Shenandoah National
Park, this means an increase of nearly $2 million (17 percent) over 2006
levels for park operations, including the hiring of additional seasonal
employees, plus more than $2 million in construction to rehabilitate scenic
overlooks in the Shenandoah National Park.ÿ
  þ The National Parks Centennial Initiative Will Enhance Our National
    Parks During The Decade Leading Up To Their 100th Anniversary In
    2016.ÿLast August, in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the
    National Park Service, President Bush directed Interior Secretary Dirk
    Kempthorne to set specific performance goals and select signature
    projects and programs to enhance our National Parks during the decade
    leading up to the 2016 centennial celebration of the creation of
    America's National Park System.ÿOver the next 10 years, the Interior
    Department aims to leverage increased government investment with
    private philanthropy to fund significant improvements to our National
    Parks.ÿ
  þ This Spring, Secretary Kempthorne Will Deliver A Report To The
    President Identifying Major Goals And Signature Projects And Programs
    To Be Accomplished By 2016.ÿ Goals include: enhancing family
    experiences in parks through interactive interpretive programs,
    improving visitor services, restoring historic and cultural sites for
    public enjoyment, and engaging Americans in preserving their heritage
    through volunteerism and philanthropy.ÿ Secretary Kempthorne will seek
    public input on these goals and projects.

The National Parks Centennial Initiative

President Bush Proposed The National Parks Centennial Initiative To Put
America's National Parks On Track For Another Century Of Conservation,
Preservation, And Enjoyment. ÿIt provides for the potential ofÿup to $3
billionÿin new funds overÿthe next 10 years:
  þ The President's Centennial Commitment: $100 million per year  $1
    billion over 10 years  for improvements to our parks, including hiring
    3,000 more seasonal National Park Rangers, interpreters, and
    maintenance workers; repairing buildings; improving natural landscapes;
    and encouraging more children to join the Junior Ranger program.ÿ
  þ The President's Centennial Challenge: The President challenges
    individuals, foundations, and the private sector to help support the
    parks by contributingÿ$100 millionÿannually for ten years for signature
    projects and programs.
  þ The President's Centennial Match: The President is calling on Congress
    to pass legislation allowing the Federal government to match these
    private contributions dollar for dollar, up to $100 million each year
    in mandatory funds for ten years. ÿThis match, coupled with the private
    contributions, will dramatically expand the National Park Service's
    legacy of leveraging philanthropic investment for the benefit of our
    National Parks and future generations of visitors.

The President's FY 2008 Parks Budget

The President's FY 2008 Parks Budget, Totaling Nearly $2.4 Billion, Is The
Largest Ever For Park Operations And Includes The Highest Increase Ever In
Parks Operations Funding.ÿ This will allow for improvement and expansion of
operations throughout the National Park System.
  þ The President's budget increases park operations funding by more than
    $250 million over 2006.ÿ Since taking office, the President has
    increased park operational spending by more than 40 percent ($584
    million).
  þ This includes $100 million for the President's Centennial Commitment
    and more than $150 million to support daily park operations with all
    390 National Parks receiving increased funding.ÿ

This Record Funding Increase, Together With The President's Centennial
Challenge And Centennial Match, Would Lead To An Additional $450 Million
Over 2006 Levels In Operating Funds And Signature Projects And Programs For
2008.ÿ

The National Park System

The National Park System Is Administered By The National Park Service, A
Bureau Of The Department Of The Interior. ÿThe National Park System was
started with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park on March 1,
1872, and includes areas of historical as well as scenic and scientific
importance throughout the United States. ÿThe System now comprises 390
areas covering more than 84 million acres in 49 States, the District of
Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin
Islands.
  þ Located 75 Miles West Of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park
    Encompasses Part Of The Blue Ridge Mountains In The Piedmont Region Of
    Virginia.ÿWith over 500 miles of hiking trails, Shenandoah National
    Park is renowned for its diverse recreational opportunities.ÿ Almost 40
    percent of the land area (79,579 acres) has been designated as
    Wilderness and is protected as part of the National Wilderness
    Preservation System.

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