Blue Ridge Parkway Funding Crisis

The National Parks Under Siege-
At least two deeply worrying new directives have been handed down. What we are witnessing, in essence, is an effort to politicize the National Park Service- to steer it away from its long-term mission of preserving much-loved national treasures and make it echo the same political mind-set that turned Mr. Hoffman, a former Congressional aide to Dick Cheney...into an architect of national park policy.

New York Times

 Dear Friend,

I believe the Blue Ridge Parkway is in grave danger.

After reading a New York Times editorial on the funding shortages and politicizing of the National Park Service, I want you to be aware of the crisis brewing for the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Current federal government funding to run the Parkway is so low that there are 58 NPS positions vacant that cannot be filled due to lack of funding. That means that currently one out of every 3 jobs is just not being done.

Right now there are only 99 permanent employees to handle maintenance on the Parkway. That simply is not enough to keep the road safe and scenic. And interpreters? Right now there is only one interpreter for every 2.8 million visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Between 1980 and 2003 the NPS budget increased 82% but the Parkway budget lagged way behind with only a 25% increase.

No wonder some overlooks are becoming overgrown with vegetation. No wonder the Parkway is experiencing more closings due to road maintenance issues. No wonder FRIENDS volunteer efforts are so welcomed by the NPS employees. But volunteer efforts are not enough... many jobs require specific training and expertise of Park Service personnel.

Left unchecked, you and I might find that in the next few years there is no one staffing the visitor centers. No one to answer a school child's question about our rural past. No one to maintain and keep the Parkway open for its 20 million visitors per year.

Increased funding from the federal government is critical to keep the Parkway open to visitors in the future. And now the New York Times is sounding the alarm because of concern about money and preserving our National Parks for the future.

That is why I am starting a massive public campaign to raise awareness in Congress of the critical need for Blue Ridge Parkway funding.

If you are like me, you treasure all our national parks. I know some of my fondest memories are hiking at the Grand Canyon and viewing wildlife at the Great Smokies. Yet for some reason funding for these parks has grown while the Blue Ridge Parkway funding has languished. I am concerned that the parks you tend to see on the nightly news will overshadow the desperate need of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Expenses are growing at a faster rate than the Parkway's budget. Without quick action now, our Parkway may be so damaged that future generations can't enjoy it. I hope you will join me so that we can educate your elected officials about this funding crisis immediately.

You see, the federal budget will be the top priority after the New Year. I have met with my congressman and will be going to Capitol Hill to meet with other congressmen and senators in the coming weeks.

I need your help.

Specifically, I need your signed petition to get the attention of your elected officials. Now is the time to let Congress know that the Blue Ridge Parkway should not be last on the list of funding for the National Parks.

And that is where you can make a difference. I assure you that your Senators pay very careful attention to the opinions of constituents. And there is nothing like bags and bags of mail overflowing Congressional offices with citizens' petitions from all across the country to make a strong impression.

As you know, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit member organization that is solely supported by voluntary contributions from concerned citizens like you. Our mission is to preserve and protect the Blue Ridge Parkway and I want to mobilize and alert thousands of Americans just like you who love the Blue Ridge Parkway. But that takes funding.

Your contribution of $25, $45, $75 or even $100 to FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway will help us intensify our efforts to raise awareness for the Blue Ridge Parkway. For some, $25 is a sacrifice, for others a contribution of $250 is possible. So please, give if you can. But please do sign and return the petition right away. That is the most important thing.

We need your help in this critical time. Thank you very, very much.

Sincerely,

Richard Wells
President

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