While much of the newly elected democratic Congress was calling President Bushs new budget proposal, “dead on arrival,” Outdoor Industry Association expressed strong support for the increased funding for National Parks. The Administrations proposed budget for the National Park Service adds an additional $258 million dollars for its fiscal 2008 operations. This request would be the largest dollar increase ever proposed for national park operations. The bulk of the new funds would allow the hiring of 3,000 additional seasonal rangers and 500 permanent full-time employees. There is also $1 million set aside for a program aimed at connecting gateway community trails to national parks.
While OIA supports the NPS funding, the organization noted that Funding for Stateside LWCF was not included in the Administrations budget request. OIA will work to ensure adequate funding for the program is included in the final budget approved by Congress.
