Report finds National Parks 'at risk' because of lack of funds

The Daily Inter Lake

National Parks across the country are being sorely neglected in operating and maintenance funding, to the long-term detriment of economies that surround them, concludes a new report.

The recently released report, commissioned by the National Parks Conservation Association and the Travel Industry Association of Montana, asserts that the national parks system is an "economic asset at risk" because of chronic underfunding.

For every dollar invested in national parks, national parks generate $4 in economic value, according to the report. Yet, national parks have a combined, annual operating shortfall of $800 million and a maintenance backlog that's estimated in the $4.5 billion-$9.7 billion range.

The report involves a cost-benefit analysis, with case studies on 12 national parks, recreation areas and historic sites. Glacier National Park is not one of the case studies, but in many ways the report follows the lead of a 2003 study that focused on the economic value of Glacier Park to surrounding "gateway communities."

The Glacier study, also commissioned by the conservation group, found that population, employment, personal income and other economic indicators in Flathead County exceeded growth rates for Montana, Western states and the nation. The report concluded that Glacier Park serves as "the anchor for Flathead County's robust economy."

"Most Montanans know that Glacier and Yellowstone national parks generate a sizable economic return for the state, so the study results probably aren't a big surprise," said Tony Jewett, regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association. "National parks improve our economy and our quality of life. What Montanans may not know and find surprising is that the parks are suffering a financial crisis and are at risk."

The national study finds that parks support $13.3 billion and 267,000 jobs in the private sector.

"Given the economic analysis, cutting park budgets cannot be described as prudent fiscal belt-tightening," according to the study. "Instead, it is undermining a public economic asset" and will have a negative effect on local economies.

Funding for national parks has been static for the past three years, at $2.3 billion. But the National Park Service budget falls about $3.4 billion short of achieving a "basic level of management," according to the study.

It appears there will be no relief in 2007, says John Wilson, Helena-based spokesman for the conservation group.

Instead of passing a new Interior Appropriations bill, Congress extended the National Park Service's budget with a $100 million cut for fiscal year 2007, Wilson said.

Homer Staves, president of the Travel Industry Association of Montana, asserts that the funding shortfall has implications for state and local economies.

"Our national parks are exceptional economic generators, but need our careful care and attention," he said. "If we continue to shortchange the parks of needed funding, we are shortchanging educational programming, maintenance and the preservation of the very resources that lure visitors. Ultimately, we are shortchanging Montana businesses and communities."

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com