Failure of the congressional Super Committee to reach a budget deal could lead to a 9 percent across the board cut to the National Park Service that could have devastating impacts on local business and jobs, the National Parks Conservation Association announced.


“As the congressional Super Committee announced its failure to reach a budget deal today, we are extremely concerned with the impacts that failure could have on our national parks,” said NPCA Vice President for Government Affairs Craig Obey.

According to Congress’ budget agreement made in August called the Budget Control Act of 2011, failure of the 12-member congressional panel sets in motion a process of sequestration, which will begin in January 2013. As the law currently stands, this process will lead to mandatory cuts to discretionary spending across-the-board which means national parks could see nine percent cuts that will also harm local businesses, jobs, and the protection of our national heritage.


“It is difficult to overstate the devastating impact that a nine percent cut would have on our national parks.  Mindless cuts to our national parks won’t resolve our fiscal crisis but they will threaten the parks, as well as harm communities and businesses that depend on them. A study commissioned by NPCA found that every federal dollar invested in national parks generates at least four dollars of economic value to the public. National parks support $13.3 billion of local private-sector economic activity and 267,000 private-sector jobs. Cuts to park operations, construction and land acquisition could mean direct job losses that will impair the places that American families rely on as affordable vacation destinations each year.


“NPCA recently released a report titled Made in America: Investing in National Parks for Our Heritage and Our Economy, which details the economic importance of national parks to the economy and the impact that eroding budgets can have on parks and visitors, including the devastating mandatory across-the-board cuts that are now a reality. The report also details how investing in national parks both protects our national heritage and is critical to supporting the livelihood of businesses and communities across the country.


“If you want an enjoyable, inspiring and safe national park visit, make your plans for this coming summer. If these cuts occur, in the following years you could be hard-pressed to find a ranger to help you, or your favorite park may be closed when you want to visit. If Congress does not reexamine the course of action that has now been triggered, the results could fundamentally undermine the places that are protecting our national heritage, ensuring nearly 270,000 private-sector jobs around the country, and providing affordable and inspiring vacation opportunities for American families and international visitors.”