Overhaul of U.S. parks is sought

WASHINGTON — The country's national park system, including five national parks and seven national monuments in Utah, are being run into the ground, according to a coalition of National Park Service retirees.

In a report released Tuesday, the Coalition of Concerned National Park Service Retirees calls for an extensive overhaul over the next 12 years, with an immediate $600 million annual infusion of funds to deal with the backlog of park maintenance now estimated at more than $6 million.

It also calls for the creation of a National Parks Restoration and Conservation Corps similar to the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, to oversee the projects.

The report doesn't single out problems in Utah's parks. But Arches, Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef are among the most visited parks anywhere in America.

"Utah, like all the other parks, are suffering from budget issues," said Bill Wade, coordinator of the Coalition of Concerned National Park Retirees.

The report does list Dinosaur National Monument in Vernal as an example of a treasured area that is now being impacted by oil and gas development.

The Bureau of Land Management has sold off parcels outside the park to the oil and gas industry.

"It's one of the biggest threats facing parks," Wade said.

And air-quality concerns aren't being addressed, Wade added.

"The air pollution issues affecting parks, places like Zion and Bryce that have some haze problems, those are increasing concerns."

A few of the superintendents in Utah had not seen the report.

"I wouldn't want to comment," said Arches National Park Superintendent Laura Joss.

The coalition says the major problems lie directly with the Bush administration's political appointments in the Department of Interior that it says are undermining the National Park Service.

For instance, the report says the political appointees are failing to uphold the mission of the National Park Service, misleading the public about the amount of money available to fund park operations and maintain the parks, and promoting development outside the parks.

The report also includes the following recommendations: