New Parks, Momentum Builds

The LA Times recently ran an op-ed on the need to expand our national park system. The piece mentions that adding new parks is good for the country, our economy and the environment. Mount St. Helens, the Maine Woods and the Blackwater Canyon are promoted as worthy additions.

Support for new parks grow

Many forces are coming together which support expanding the park system in general and adding Mount St. Helens in particular.

The Oregonian ran an editorial over the weekend highlighting the unique opportunities the American public has to better protect and enhance its national park system. The Oregonian correctly notes that the appointment of Jon Jarvis as the next director for the national park service brings energy and a new vision to the service. The Oregonian softly prodded the new director to think about adding Mount St. Helens to the system, one of the northwest's crown jewels.

Along with the Jarvis confirmation, the National Park Second Century Commission released its vision for the park system's next 100 years. Included within its vision is a recommendations calling for increased funding, greater emphasis on education and a significant expansion of the system.

Finally, the new Ken Burns documentary on national parks premiered last night on PBS. The 12 hour film highlights the history of the park system and the effort that individuals made to give birth to the system we enjoy today.

Cedar Breaks National Park gains local support

Utah's Iron County is posed to support making Cedar Breaks our nation's next national park. County officials recently held a public meeting where they heard evidence that adding a sixth national park to Utah would increase local tourism, boost tax receipts and increase jobs. Public comments at the meeting seem to support elevation.

Another national park effort?

Local citizens and tourism groups are working to bestow national park status upon another deserving site, Utah's Cedar Breaks. The effort is supported by local and state tourism boards who rightly point out that national park status would attract more visitors, providing new economic benefit to the surrounding communities.

According to Colorado State University, elevating an area from national monument to national park produces a sustained bump in visitation.

Along with Cedar City, other communities including Waco Texas, Hartford Connecticut are concluding that national park status or management of regional sites would best protect their environment, economy and local quality of life.

Pinnacles to become a national park

Representative Sam Farr recently introduced legislation to elevate Pinnacles National Monument to a National Park. HR 3444 is supported by local county commissioners and tourism boards because they know adding Pinnacles to the short list of national parks will better protect the surrounding environment and economy.

Mount St. Helens and its surrounding communities would likely reap similar if not greater benefits from changing its name from monument to park.

The Waco Mammoth site one step closer to becoming a national park unit

By a huge bi-partisan margin, the House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill that will make the Mammoth site in Waco Texas a national monument under the care of the National Park Service. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco the bill's chief sponsor believes the Park Service will provide the area lasting protection and interpret the sites unique resources, as well as raise its public profile and turn it into a major tourist attraction. These visitors will pump new economic life into the Waco community.

Jon Jarvis to be new Park Director

President Obama recently tapped Jon Jarvis to be the next Director of the national park service. Jon is a career park professional, understands the Park Service mission and supports the creation of new parks. Jon is current the Park Service's Pacific Regional Director and has seen several new park units including Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Internment Memorial created during his tenure.

Jon will likely bring his support for new parks to Washington DC.