>From my personal experience as a visitor to western parks, and as a former
employee of a federal agency assigned to work with parks, the only thing the
NPS is doing well in the west is telling people to stay on the trail, don't
litter, don't park here, and have a nice day.  And they are not the only
federal land management agency who is eligible for, and has been denied,
LWCF money.

*Lee
----------
>From: George Myers <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Give national parks their due
>Date: Sun, Sep 12, 1999, 6:18 AM
>

>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!
>