The Journal News Saturday, September 11, 1999 Page 9B

"Give national parks their due

Another Opinion:
From and Editorial in "The Times Union" (Albany, NY)

     The Woman's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls is one of
the dozens of national parks, wilderness areas and beaches that have been
shortchanged as a result of years of smoke-and-mirrors budgeting intended to
disguise the size of the national deficit. But now, with the budget in the
black and surpluses looming in the years ahead, its time for Congress to give
parks their due.

     In theory, the national parks and other outdoor recreational areas
receive some $900 million a year under the Land and Water Conservation Fund
established by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Over the years, a wide range
of park land and recreational areas in the Capitol Region have benefited from
the fund, including Saratoga National Historic Park, Peebles Island State
Park in Cohoes, and pocket parks in Colonie, Watervliet, Voorheesville and
Altamont.

     The LWCF is financed through a percentage of royalties from oil and gas
companies that drill on the nation's offshore seacoasts. Under the formula,
the LWCF money is to be used for purchasing or improving local and national
park and recreational areas.

     In reality, Congress has been shortchanging the parks year in and year
out, with only 20 percent of the fund going to the parks. That amounts to
$180 million, while the remaining $720 million has been regularly shifted to
cover the deficit. No money was allocated to the states for recreational
areas over the last five years.

     By raiding the LWCF so often and so long, Congress has created a $12
billion backlog of federal conservation and recreational projects, as well as
a $27.7 billion backlog in local park and recreational improvements.

     While it's unlikely that much of the backlog moneys will ever be
recouped, Congress has an opportunity to prevent future raids by supporting
legislation designed to permanently fund the LWCF and thereby insulate it
from political opportunism.

     The Clinton administration and bipartisan congressional leaders are
united in this goal, but there are competing bills that could result in a
deadlock unless lawmakers are willing to make reasonable compromises. That
should not be difficult, given all the proposals agree that the LWCF deserves
its fair share of funding."

Have a happy Grandparents Day!