Opinion: Americas Deteriorating National Parks Must Be Saved, says Washington’s Norm Dicks
It’s not often these days that Democrats and Republicans see eye to eye on important national issues, but here’s one they overwhelmingly support: protecting America’s national parks.
The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act (House Resolution 1225) is bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-Washington) and Rob Bishop (R-Utah). It has 330 cosponsors, making it one of the most widely supported bills before Congress.
As a former Washington congressman, I implore members of Congress to pass this legislation now. Passage will put them on the right side of history, and will mark an important part of their legacy.
Time is of the essence, as our National Park System needs help now. Years of inconsistent funding and infrastructure that is decades old have led to a $12 billion backlog of repair needs.
As the number of visitors has soared at many park sites, amenities like trails, roads, campgrounds and visitor centers have deteriorated.
Washington’s 15 national park units, including Mount Rainier, the North Cascades and Olympic National Park, have $427 million in deferred maintenance.
HR 1225 will provide $6.5 billion over five years for critical, long-overdue repairs to our parks, helping to restore them to their former glory. It taps revenue from oil, coal, gas and renewable energy development on federal lands.
Here in Washington, we can expect to see major dividends on that investment. In 2018, more than 8 million visitors explored Washington’s national parks, spending about $506 million in nearby communities.
That spending supported more than 5,800 jobs and pumped nearly $670 million into the state economy — money that helps businesses, schools and families flourish.
I have been hiking Washington’s trails for more than 60 years, since I was a Boy Scout in Bremerton’s Troop 502 and hiked along Hood Canal.
Today, my favorite trail is Staircase at the end of Lake Cushman in the Olympic National Park, where the rushing rapids and towering Douglas fir trees offer a peace and natural beauty that are increasingly rare.
I want our kids and grandkids to have that same quintessentially Northwest experience 60 years from now — but that will only be possible if Congress acts to protect national parks today.
Kilmer, who represents the 6th Congressional District, deserves our gratitude for his leadership in introducing this legislation, and for his ability to build widespread bipartisan support for the bill. It’s up to congressional leadership to move it forward.
Enactment of HR 1225 will preserve treasured historical and natural resources, boost local economies and provide unparalleled opportunities for recreation.
All Americans could benefit from this bipartisan win right now. I hope Congress rises to the challenge.
Former U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks represented the 6th Congressional District as a Democrat from 1977 to 2013. He lives in Belfair.
By: Norm Dicks
Source: The News Tribune